Mid Generation Upgrades: Yay Or Nay?

Before I begin let me say that the information I’m putting here is not yet confirmed, I have picked up pieces of rumors and info from different sources but we have to wait untill E3 to get anything solid about the matter at hand. Nevertheless the topic is quite interesting and somewhat controversial, so let’s begin.

There has been a lot of talk about playstation and Xbox releasing upgraded versions of the newest concoles only 3 years after the PS4 and Xbox1 became available. “Upgrade” is a misleading word here, since it is most likely the case that the existing consoles can’t be upgraded and the gamers will have to buy newish concoles for approximately the same price as the originals. This is something that will get many console gamers(especially those of low income) quite angry if it truly is happening, since the major bonus for being a console gamer has always been fixed price, stability and being able to play games without all the fuss, extra effort and money spending that is characteristic for PC gaming. If we are going to have to spend 400-500 euros/dollars/pounds every 3 years we would probably do better to change for PC gaming all together, since even if we weren’t able to work with computers ourselves, paying someone to help would be as (or less) expensive. I have always loved console gaming because of the effortless and relatively affordable way of doing things, so I really hope this won’t be the future of console gaming. Well, at least Sony has said that Playstation 4 won’t be replaced my PS4Neo(even though PS4 owners would have to settle for less), but we will see about that when they announce the upgrade.

Anyway, here are some specs and info on the upgrades. Playstation 4 Neo should be capable of 4K output and enhanced visual fidelity over the original PS4. The upgrades include a 1.3 times faster CPU, an improved GPU, and a 24% increase in memory bandwidth. There has been talk about the new games being required to have a ‘base mode’ and ‘Neo/upgrade mode’ so that gamers without the upgraded console could still play the new games(more work for the game developers, why not?). Also the online gaming should be shared so that PS4 an Neo gamers could still play together. Well I sure hope so! It would be rather ridiculous if it wasn’t going to work like that, so I personally am not giving any credit for this pseudo benevolence.

I couldn’t find as much data on the Xbox1 upgrade, but I heard they are also upgrading their controller. Why is it so hard to come up with a controller(and hardware) that could last for the whole of this generation(6years)? I know technology is developing fast but c’mon people, this is really stinking of greed. I think it would be better to focus on the actual next generation consoles properly than releasing something that has to be almost immediately improved. What’s really funny about this is that most gamers haven’t even thought that they would need “just a liiiittle bit more power” in their consoles. If console gamers were thinking like that, they would be PC gamers(exceptions of course exist). I know I am being quite the pessimist right now, but I want to be  positively surprised rather than negatively. I’m sure you know what I mean.

Here are some links for more info:

usgamer.net

eparisextra.com

gottabemobile.com

Play with passion!

auburn.geek

New Console Coming From Nintendo!

There has been a lot of talk about a new console, Nintendo NX, launching in March 2017. The specifics are still a mystery but we will get more information later this year. Oddly enough though, Nintendo won’t be introducing it’s newest creation at the E3, their focus at the event is going to be on the upcoming Legend of Zelda game, which they said will be released for both Nintendo NX and WiiU. Another game that is going to be released for NX is Dragon Quest XI, but so far these are the only known games planned for NX at the moment. There have been rumors that WiiU’s production will be stopped in 2018 so it seems Nintendo has high hopes for the next console, WiiU being their worst selling console yet.

One imaginary alternative for how the NX console would look like.

What’s more, Nintendo has stated that the Nintendo NX will not be a new version of Wii or WiiU but a whole new, unique experience. There has been talk about the NX being a sort of a hybrid of a “home” console and a mobile part that you can take with you, not a bad idea since Nintendo’s handheld consoles have been quite successfull! The operating system for the NX is still not known, although there have been guesses of Android based system or something similar to the other newer console’s systems. There has been a rumor that NX would work with Playstation 4, Android and PC, I have not heard of any confirmation yet though but this would be a really big bonus for the consumers. Also the NX is rumored to be backwards compatible with Wii/WiiU games, and there has been some mention of an online service and access to online gaming that resembles those of playstation and Xbox.

An analyst Michael Patcher has given a heavy view of the new console, thinking that Nintendo will probably use “backwards looking technology” like before, and that the console is in serious danger of not being that good. One decision that  may have affected this conclusion is that the NX will support 4K/60 fps video streaming BUT that the  gameplay will only run at 900p, which is not that bad, but it is without a doubt a bit outdated since the  other consoles have done it already. So the hardware is a few years old, this is pretty much what they did with Wii. But what does it mean? Well for one, that the visuals are going to be a lot improved from Wii and WiiU, but they won’t be anyhing that hasn’t been done before. This of course doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be very exited for the Nintendo’s newest family member. I for one can’t wait for more information about this new reportedly unique gaming system!

Play with passion!

auburn.geek