First off, for those who don’t know already, the PlayStation Neo is the code name for the new iteration of the PS4. While new versions of a console during its cycle are no surprise, what’s different this time around is the fact that this iteration will come with a upgraded and more powerful hardware, unlike regular iterations which come with better cooling, efficient power management, and a slimmer re-design. An upgraded and more powerful hardware splits the user-base, giving the base version the short end of the stick, ie, the lower end of pixel resolution and visual fidelity.
Be sure to watch our podcast where we dive even deeper into the merits and demerits of the Playstation NEO:
This is the first time it is happening on consoles (Gameboy Color and 3DS be damned), and the player base is worried, with good reason. The whole point of owning a console was knowing that you were set for a generation, and not worry about upgrades. And and exciting aspect of that was seeing how developers and in turn video games managed to push the hardware, and get more out of them. An excellent case in point is how Uncharted Drake’s Fortune looked in 2006 s how The Last Of Us looked in 2013. It really went on to show how powerful consoles can be withing their limited hardware.
With the Neo coming in the picture, it’s more likely that developers will give preference to it, since it has the better hardware, and they will eventually be able to do more with it, and have no good reason to push the base version to the same limits. The base version will anyways be expected to look worse than the Neo version. This of course works in Sony’s favor, who having already sold over 40 million PS4s stand to gain by giving their player-base a reason to buy the new, more powerful hardware. Sucks balls for someone who saved money over the years and bought a PS4 just last week.
Yes, Sony has set in rules for developers clearly stating that they cannot give special features on the PS Neo. But, guess what? The improved graphics are a special feature in itself. I mean, what else is the main special feature that differentiates a PS3 and a PS4?
Games will have to look significantly better on the PS Neo if Sony really wishes for it to sell. However doing that will anger their audience of 40 million, who have made the Playstation the clear winner that it is in this generation. When the next God Of War or Last Guardian trailer drops, the first question on everyone’s minds will be- Is that for the PS4 or the PS Neo version?
Sony is making a big mistake bringing in the Neo. A slim version would be most welcome. An upgraded, and more powerful version is not welcome before 2018. And, take my word on this Sony, no one, and I repeat, no one will rush to buy your PS5 (whenever you plan to release that), when they know that a PS Trinity is on the way, which will be a better upgraded version of the PS5. We jumped at the PS assuming to be set for the next 7-10 years. You marketed it as being so. Well, now we know better. Now we’ll wait before we buy, and you won’t be claiming the sales and victories you did since 2013.
Phew, glad I got that out of my system. And for more insightful rants, keep checking back at Gaming Central.
