PlayStation 4 Console Thread

[Harsin]

People were going nuts in the MS conference thread about Kinect being a mandatory pack-in, even before the always on aspect became apparent. Now I see some of the same people arguing that they want PSEye to be a mandatory pack-in?

[Super Craig]

People were going nuts in the MS conference thread about Kinect being a mandatory pack-in, even before the always on aspect became apparent. Now I see some of the same people arguing that they want PSEye to be a mandatory pack-in?

I don't think it's that strange. Kinect is perceived as being expensive and crappy and the PS Eye isn't looked at in the same way.

[simms]

It's likely that ps eye will be a pack-in as the ds4 has features that require the eye. Also it would be a tick on the box in comparison to the Xbox and there maybe a perception it offers less value if the price is comparable to the Xbox. The camera is an easier sell than talking about DDR5 or whatever to the public at large.

[Manflurry]

I don't think this has been posted but apols if it has:

http://tech2.in.com/news/console/sony-officially-states-that-playstation-4-will-not-have-drm-against-used-games/875088

Sony has made it official that it won't be implementing any sort of DRM in the PlayStation 4 to stop the use of used-games The confirmation comes in the form of Sony retroactively having answered the question of used-game DRM. Kotaku had decided to contact Sony directly about the question, and the Sony representative pointed Kotaku towards a statement made by Sony studio chief Shuhei Yoshida back in February.

According to Yoshida, "At a roundtable this morning, Sony's game studios chief, Shuhei Yoshida, told reporters that any requirement for users to register a game online in order to play it would be left to game publishers. Sony won't require that."

Sony has been playing the PR game quite well with its next-gen console. Just recently, Sony boss Kazuo Hirai said that for the PlayStation 4, games come first. This comes in the wake of Microsoft's controversial Xbox One unveiling where the company talked about the Xbox One's TV capabilities for the majority of the event.

At the D11 conference, Hirai said, "The most important thing we need to do is agree and understand that the PS4 is a great video game console that appeals to video gamers." He continued, "If we miss that part, I don't think we get the initial establishment of the console. That formula has worked for us with all our consoles, including the PS3."

This doesn't mean that the PlayStation 4 won't have any non-gaming functionality, though. Hirai has said that the company will be revealing more non-gaming related functionality of the PS4 later. "Providing other non-game content is an area we will reveal and talk about in the coming months, but it's first and foremost a video game console." Sony is bound to unveil more information about the PS4 at the upcoming E3.

The PlayStation 4 is expected to hit stores later this year.

[Wickedkitten]

People were going nuts in the MS conference thread about Kinect being a mandatory pack-in, even before the always on aspect became apparent. Now I see some of the same people arguing that they want PSEye to be a mandatory pack-in?

IIRC Microsoft have explicitly stated that even if the kinect isn't always on, you need it to be connected for the console to work. That's quite a bit more than just having it bundled and I'm sure that if Sony said the same, people would be just as annoyed about it.

[Cthulhu Steev]

People were going nuts in the MS conference thread about Kinect being a mandatory pack-in, even before the always on aspect became apparent. Now I see some of the same people arguing that they want PSEye to be a mandatory pack-in?

It's not the camera, it's having the OS not based around the camera. If it isn't packed in, it gets very little support, I enjoy the odd Move-based game and am interested in head tracking and the other things like Aimless said. I just don't want the entire console based on it, but like to have the option now and again, even if it's something stupid like taking pictures of the players in Buzz, or Start the Party.

I've always wished the PSEye was a pack-in, just so it and Move would be more likely to get support, and it isn't going to add a great deal to the cost of the console.

[NecroMorrius]

I don't think this has been posted but apols if it has:

http://tech2.in.com/news/console/sony-officially-states-that-playstation-4-will-not-have-drm-against-used-games/875088

Blam.

Sony wins.

(Publishers will still do it, but hey)

[Uzi]

Like it said, that is just repeating what they said back in Feb.

[Cthulhu Steev]

Like it said, that is just repeating what they said back in Feb.

Yeah, they're making it seem like Kaz said it again at the D11, but it's the same quote we've been seeing since February, it's badly worded I think.

[scottcr]

Only EA will do it. Expect to see exclusive Bone content

[Harsin]

I'd say EA, Activision and Ubisoft would be definite. Take Two have said they don't have problems with the used market so might not. Sony themselves have put online passes on all their published stuff recently, so I wouldn't even be so sure they'd exempt themselves from the system.

[Yoshimax]

Only EA will do it. Expect to see exclusive Bone content

Everything bar (hopefully) 1st party stuff will do it - just like it has been recently.

[Dandy_Sephy]

I'd say EA, Activision and Ubisoft would be definite. Take Two have said they don't have problems with the used market so might not. Sony themselves have put online passes on all their published stuff recently, so I wouldn't even be so sure they'd exempt themselves from the system.

Sony will probably do what they do with Cross play Retail titles, stick a one time only authentication app on the disc that adds designated rights to your download/services list.

Their RFID patent does pretty much the same thing, just with it being on a system level. Although Yoshida said that patent wouldn't be used, the theory behind it is already out there being used by them.

[Cthulhu Steev]

Pachter Predicts Prices

The analyst released a note to investors that previews the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show. Pachter and fellow analyst Nick McKay wrote that they believe that Microsoft will price the Xbox One $50 higher than the PlayStation 4 due to slightly more expensive components.

“For [Xbox One], we believe a starting price of $399 makes sense given that the Xbox 360 Pro debuted at that price point in November 2005,” wrote the analysts. “Our estimate of the bill of materials for the Xbox One — based upon speculation regarding many of the specs — is around $325, suggesting that Microsoft could make a modest profit at the $399 price point. For the PS4, we remain confident that the new console will have a lower initial MSRP than the PS3, which had a lofty starting price of $599 that we believe negatively impacted its long-term popularity. We expect the PS4 to debut at $349, as our estimate of the bill of materials is $275.”

I reckon he is about $50 under, or in the dollar-for-pound swaperoo, £50: PS4 £400, XB1 £450.

[NecroMorrius]

Ah yes, Michael "Fuse will sell 5 million copies" Pachter.

[Spacehost]

Sometimes he can be totally on the money, though. I still reckon he's lowballing by about $50.

[DocG]

Sometimes he can be totally on the money, though.

He's the updated version of 'even a stopped clock is right twice a day.'

[Dandy_Sephy]

Will they definitely announce prices at e3? If they do, will they announce a UK price or just US and leave us to guess what mythical exchange rate they'll apply.

I'd imagine EU/US, possibly JP pricing, UK pricing to follow after the event at SCEE's discretion (probably next day as the event is 2am)

[Super Craig]

Sometimes he can be totally on the money, though. I still reckon he's lowballing by about $50.

I don't think he's ever got one of his predictions right.

[rubberducker]

there is no chance anyone will talk prices until right before release.

ms and sony wont want to reveal to early.

[Spacehost]

there is no chance anyone will talk prices until right before release.

ms and sony wont want to reveal to early.

They need to announce prices before about July or they'll never give retail enough time to prepare. Expect RRPs at E3.

[rubberducker]

but didn't nintendo only announce price in the sept before they launched wii u?

[Super Craig]

Yep. They did the same with the Wii as well. I wouldn't expect pricing, a release date or a concrete launch line up for any of them at E3.

[Ferine]

If Microsoft state a price during their earlier E3 presentation then Sony will too. Otherwise both will hold off a few months until things are a bit clearer; Gamescom would be a ripe opportunity.

[NecroMorrius]

They should just do a Nintendo and "let retailers dictate prices" and then watch Amazon and the supermarkets undercut each other to death!

[MansizeRooster]

I have a tough time believing that PS4 has a lower BOM than XBone, what with higher-spec GPU and more expensive RAM.

[BarryL85]

I have a tough time believing that PS4 has a lower BOM than XBone, what with higher-spec GPU and more expensive RAM.

It's probably because of bundled Kinect sensor.

[DocG]

I find it quite credible the PS4 could be cheaper to make due to Kinect. Remember the claim that Kinect 2 is actively cooled -- there's some clever dick circuitry in there. I suspect both consoles will launch at very similar price points this time, Sony having learnt from the PS3 launch price issues.

[MansizeRooster]

Good point, I forgot Kinect. If PS Eye is bundled too though that'll make things closer. From what I've read The PS Eye isn't nearly as fancy-schmantzy as Kinect though.

As soon as I head about the GDDR5 I was delighted at the possibilities it would provide, but my second thought was, shit this machine's going to be pricey.

[DocG]

#teamsony