The Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5)

[salamanderjuice]

That was a terrible console IMO. Surely Playstation's worst. Loud, bulky, rubbish controller, features originally advertised went away quickly as Sony scrambled to bring down the cost of the unit. Hardware suffered from YLOD a few years down the line.
Xbox with a big head start and easier to develop for and Sony promising every year that the current year would be when PS3 gets into full gear - for three years straight. And it hit right when games started to look all blurry, brown, blooming and post-processed to the max.

Good things about it were the interface - adapted from the PSP - and I think the suspend function featured first in that generation (also on PSP). Couldn't live without suspend anymore.

PS4 was best IMO.
And I don't even know why I own a PS5 other than for cross gen racing games like ACC running better. They messed up the interface too, didn't they? I can't quite get used to it and everytime I boot up the PS4 it all feels so natural.

PS3 didn't have suspend. PS4 was first home console PlayStation with that feature. And I had it fail too many times that I stopped relying on it unlike PSP/DS/Vita at the time.

My PS3 Slim was quieter than my launch PS4. Could be because it was a late model Slim I suppose. PS3 still works too. I think the DS3 is a better controller honestly. DS4 is too big, added too many useless gimmicks that torpedoed the battery life. It's just as bad as the Wii U Game Pad but that actually had a useful screen.

I thought the PS4 interface was a huge regression too. Thinking about it at least didn't tie game save management to game launchers like Vita. So it could have been worse I guess.

 

[th0masp]

PS3 didn't have suspend. PS4 was first home console PlayStation with that feature. And I had it fail too many times that I stopped relying on it unlike PSP/DS/Vita at the time.

My PS3 Slim was quieter than my launch PS4. Could be because it was a late model Slim I suppose. PS3 still works too. I think the DS3 is a better controller honestly. DS4 is too big, added too many useless gimmicks that torpedoed the battery life. It's just as bad as the Wii U Game Pad but that actually had a useful screen.

I thought the PS4 interface was a huge regression too. Thinking about it at least didn't tie game save management to game launchers like Vita. So it could have been worse I guess.

You sure it didn't do suspend? I seem to vaguely remember using that on my 1st gen PS3 to suspend emulated PS2 titles even. Weird - maybe it was just about the convenience of quick-saving on the harddrive, not on those slow memory cards. 😎

DS3 - just no. Wasn't it pretty much shaped like the PS2 one but wireless and had the waggle function built-in? I still occasionally play on a PS2 and the controller sticks out like a sore thumb. Mushy buttons and the shape kinda hurts my palms.

They got it right with the PS4 one minus the battery life. And that back button attachment rocks! Mystifying why they did not include those in the PS5 controller...

PS4 interface to me just made sense and gets the job done. I do remember having to scroll quite a bit more to access stuff in the PS3 one - but it's been a while.

 

[slitherjef]

So... I may have messed up 😳 😖

I don't think it's a console thing or a PC or whatever, just kind of having problems picking something. I do have a few items on the wishlist and the gift card my sister got for me (actually pondering about giving it back to her). I think the issue might be a state of mind issue and indecisiveness and being kind of wiped out from work and other things) also kind of unclear what needs a PS plus membership to play what needs extra accounts and so on. Just want single player non online games not another subscription to use the box I just got.

Anyway a few games in my wishlist so far:

The outer worlds 1
Spyro
Crash trilogy
High on life 1&2
Stardew valley (already have on PC)
Cyberpunk

Was thinking about starting with a couple of the ones on sale, maybe high on life to start with since it's like 15 bucks.

I did kind of go console route just so I didn't have to mess with or upgrade a very aging PC and to kind of get away from the thing in the first place since I get on it and the distractions start.

Edit:
I did wonder if I should go ahead and use the gift card for PlayStation plus membership for a bit to try out a few games before buying them. Wonder if that would work better since I'm kind of not sure where to start since I kind of am starting from scratch as a mid life gamer or at least trying to get into it.

 

[1rottenapple]

It’s been fun tapping into ps3 games given I was so busy back then. I’m about to play the gears on this 360 I was given I just need a power brick and I’m good to go. Again I tsllly missed this generation as I was starting my career.

 

[salamanderjuice]

You sure it didn't do suspend? I seem to vaguely remember using that on my 1st gen PS3 to suspend emulated PS2 titles even. Weird - maybe it was just about the convenience of quick-saving on the harddrive, not on those slow memory cards. 😎

DS3 - just no. Wasn't it pretty much shaped like the PS2 one but wireless and had the waggle function built-in? I still occasionally play on a PS2 and the controller sticks out like a sore thumb. Mushy buttons and the shape kinda hurts my palms.

They got it right with the PS4 one minus the battery life. And that back button attachment rocks! Mystifying why they did not include those in the PS5 controller...

PS4 interface to me just made sense and gets the job done. I do remember having to scroll quite a bit more to access stuff in the PS3 one - but it's been a while.

Yup. For a while you couldn't even go back to the XMB in a game, just quit. And for some games it never worked. The emulated PS2 classics off PSN also reboot the whole darn system before and after you play, no suspend or XMB there. I don't think native disc-based PS2 support had that either, PS1 doesn't though.

DS3 is like a DS2, there's some tweaks, R2/L2 are triggers, some stick changes, yes it has gyro. I wouldn't call the buttons mushy, not clicky either but not mushy. For me, that shape fits well.

 

[diamond.g]

Yup. For a while you couldn't even go back to the XMB in a game, just quit. And for some games it never worked. The emulated PS2 classics off PSN also reboot the whole darn system before and after you play, no suspend or XMB there. I don't think native disc-based PS2 support had that either, PS1 doesn't though.

DS3 is like a DS2, there's some tweaks, R2/L2 are triggers, some stick changes, yes it has gyro. I wouldn't call the buttons mushy, not clicky either but not mushy. For me, that shape fits well.

I think all the face buttons on DS3 were analog. They stopped doing that with the DS4 as it appeared no game (other than Gran Turismo) used them.

 

[salamanderjuice]

I think all the face buttons on DS3 were analog. They stopped doing that with the DS4 as it appeared no game (other than Gran Turismo) used them.

That's true. It was definitely underutilized, even compared to the PS2 where it was underutilized already but there were a few others, MGS4, MGS HD Collection, GTA IV. L1 and R1 are also analog.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I think all the face buttons on DS3 were analog. They stopped doing that with the DS4 as it appeared no game (other than Gran Turismo) used them.

Very cool on GT, but I honestly prefer and switched (even on PS3 GT games) to using the triggers for gas/brake.

 

[diamond.g]

I figure most folk did, which is why they dropped it in the DS4. I believe the controllers still support "Waggle" but I don't think many recent games use it (off the top of my head I know Astro does).

 

[salamanderjuice]

I figure most folk did, which is why they dropped it in the DS4. I believe the controllers still support "Waggle" but I don't think many recent games use it (off the top of my head I know Astro does).

Yes, they have better motion controls than the DS3 even. DS3 is one gyroscope and 3 accelerometers, while DS4 and 5 have three of each. Switch 1 & 2 Pro controllers have a pretty similar setup and its pretty common for games to use it for gyro aiming there. Quake supports gyro aiming on PlayStation 4/5 and there's probably others?

 

[Pezimak]

DLSS 5 is one of the reasons the PS5 price has been increased... AL slop from Nvidia, they are one of the main perpertrators in the Ai slop boon.. less I have to do with them the better MO.

And don't fool yourselves, CPU's are now going up in price following RAM and storage, all thanks to Ai. I dislike the idea of these 'pro' consoles anyway, to me it gives Sony an excuse to make a cut down console at launch, only to then make what they really wanted but also charge a nice big price increase for it later on. Whilst I like PlayStation, this business practice doesn't go unnoticed.. I will take a look at the PS6, but its price will be key.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

DLSS 5 is one of the reasons the PS5 price has been increased... AL slop from Nvidia, they are one of the main perpertrators in the Ai slop boon.. less I have to do with them the better MO.

And don't fool yourselves, CPU's are now going up in price following RAM and storage, all thanks to Ai. I dislike the idea of these 'pro' consoles anyway, to me it gives Sony an excuse to make a cut down console at launch, only to then make what they really wanted but also charge a nice big price increase for it later on. Whilst I like PlayStation, this business practice doesn't go unnoticed.. I will take a look at the PS6, but its price will be key.

I will be shocked if the Playstation 6 has an MSRP less than $899 at launch. It could probably be higher at $999 with a disc drive but we shall see. The console era appears to be winding down as former Playstation CEO Shawn Layden said. People are going to think twice about spending discretionary money on entertainment where they are locked into an ecosystem and that's what Layden mentioned.

As far as DLSS 5. It is a polarizing just like Apple's Liquid Glass. From what i've seen, I think the faces and detail look more realistic with DLSS 5 on but that's just me, others may say otherwise.

 

[turbineseaplane]

These price hikes have the potential to all but kill console gaming.

 

[Pezimak]

I will be shocked if the Playstation 6 has an MSRP less than $899 at launch. It could probably be higher at $999 with a disc drive but we shall see. The console era appears to be winding down as former Playstation CEO Shawn Layden said. People are going to think twice about spending discretionary money on entertainment where they are locked into an ecosystem and that's what Layden mentioned.

As far as DLSS 5. It is a polarizing just like Apple's Liquid Glass. From what i've seen, I think the faces and detail look more realistic with DLSS 5 on but that's just me, others may say otherwise.

But you are assuming RAM prices will remain high, prices are already starting to crash now. We will see a console cheaper than that 900.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

But you are assuming RAM prices will remain high, prices are already starting to crash now. We will see a console cheaper than that 900.

It's not only RAM. It also has to do with storage and CPU prices. It also has to do with rare earth materials as well as helium which is no longer as plentiful prior to the Iran war. It also has to do with fuel prices climbing much higher and geopolitical instability. So it's just not RAM, there are other factors.

 

[slitherjef]

Welp, made a couple (digital) purchases just now, hopefully to get my feet wet with the system. Took advantage of the sale right now.

High on life
Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk is showing over an hour to download and well, there is an update in the pipeline for tomorrow I think on top of this. The other game is queued.

Hopefully I can get into the games. 🙂

 

[Pezimak]

It's not only RAM. It also has to do with storage and CPU prices. It also has to do with rare earth materials as well as helium which is no longer as plentiful prior to the Iran war. It also has to do with fuel prices climbing much higher and geopolitical instability. So it's just not RAM, there are other factors.

I think you are over thinking it all, RAM prices have already started to crash, plus Sony will want to sell the console, they will take a loss ion they need to. I PS6 will be out next year anyway, the will start to ramp up the hype beginning of 2027 I think, stick to the 7 year lifecycle. Now what IS interesting is the talk of the portable system they are working on.. how will that fit in.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I think you are over thinking it all, RAM prices have already started to crash, plus Sony will want to sell the console, they will take a loss ion they need to. I PS6 will be out next year anyway, the will start to ramp up the hype beginning of 2027 I think, stick to the 7 year lifecycle. Now what IS interesting is the talk of the portable system they are working on.. how will that fit in.

Really, you sure about that? Cause those who follow the industry are suggesting otherwise, like 28-29. I still believe we are in new uncharted territory where anything is possible regarding prices but again those who follow and write about this hobby say that prices for the next gen machines will be similar to what we are seeing now.

But will the public trust Sony with another portable? I wouldn't, that's for sure. They bailed on the PS Vita shortly after it was launched. I bought two of those and they were great but Sony pulled the plug and turned it into a streaming device for the PS4 and their eStore.

 

[Pezimak]

Really, you sure about that? Cause those who follow the industry are suggesting otherwise, like 28-29. I still believe we are in new uncharted territory where anything is possible regarding prices but again those who follow and write about this hobby say that prices for the next gen machines will be similar to what we are seeing now.

But will the public trust Sony with another portable? I wouldn't, that's for sure. They bailed on the PS Vita shortly after it was launched. I bought two of those and they were great but Sony pulled the plug and turned it into a streaming device for the PS4 and their eStore.

Absolutely. I am 100% positive, and no people who are in the industry haven't said anything, those who follow it? They are only people who post online and claim they are leakers and such. MS are releasing next year, Sony will not want to lose ground to them. Plus as the PS5 price is so high now they will want to push the PS6 out the door especially if it is cheaper than the PS5 Pro which it most likely is. They'll be making that PS6 as cheaply as possible and pushing it out to gain sales.

Specs for the PS6 portable have been finalised and locked in, they are making one, whether it's a good idea or not remains to be seen as you say they have burnt bridges with that. Who knows maybe they won't have a home console and will make a hybrid like the Switch?

 

[th0masp]

Speaking about making consoles as cheaply as possible: anyone else appalled by how the PS5 (original model) exterior was done? From the flimsy outer covers to the low-rent piano-black mid section that ends up looking all scratched if you dare to make use of the front USB plugs. And the thing doesn't even rest properly on a surface with the provided "stand". It wobbles and slides around when you touch it.

Didn't have a high opinion of the PS4 pro case either (they didn't even do the LED strip properly on that one) but the PS5 sure does feel like they went down another few notches on the product quality scale. Strange choice too IMO for a piece that looks so prominent in the living room (or has to survive a kid's bedroom).

And that's just the exterior. I don't even want to think about how many corners were cut on the inside. 😵

 

[Taustin Powers]

Speaking about making consoles as cheaply as possible: anyone else appalled by how the PS5 (original model) exterior was done? From the flimsy outer covers to the low-rent piano-black mid section that ends up looking all scratched if you dare to make use of the front USB plugs. And the thing doesn't even rest properly on a surface with the provided "stand". It wobbles and slides around when you touch it.

Didn't have a high opinion of the PS4 pro case either (they didn't even do the LED strip properly on that one) but the PS5 sure does feel like they went down another few notches on the product quality scale. Strange choice too IMO for a piece that looks so prominent in the living room (or has to survive a kid's bedroom).

And that's just the exterior. I don't even want to think about how many corners were cut on the inside. 😵

I just thought it was ugly af! 😀 But at least the thermal design was good, my launch model was really quiet. The Pro makes a low high pitched whine sometimes, but I can only hear it if the tv volume is really low. I had two PS4 models that sounded like jet engines taking off when you put them under stress. Totally ruined Uncharted 4 for me, I could barely hear the dialogue...

 

[th0masp]

I just thought it was ugly af! 😀 But at least the thermal design was good, my launch model was really quiet. The Pro makes a low high pitched whine sometimes, but I can only hear it if the tv volume is really low. I had two PS4 models that sounded like jet engines taking off when you put them under stress. Totally ruined Uncharted 4 for me, I could barely hear the dialogue...

Yeah well it's ugly, too. And too big to hide anywhere. But how it's made... gawd. Paper mache or plastic - jury is still out on that one I think. 😎 Only thing that feels decent is the controller. But of course I don't use that much at all since I prefer DS4 with back buttons.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Absolutely. I am 100% positive,

Okay, I will hold you to your PS6 launch prediction. The PS6 will launch in 2027. Care to leak the specs and price?

 

[Pezimak]

Okay, I will hold you to your PS6 launch prediction. The PS6 will launch in 2027. Care to leak the specs and price?

The PS6 handheld specs are supposedly locked in, anyway it's easy to guess for the home console, AMD ZEN something, it will apparently concentrate on ray tracing and Ai (unsurprisingly), I expect soldered on fast SSD, an updated version of the compression tech Sony uses. The real guesswork will be RAM size and will it have an option for a disk drive still. I would also wager WiFi 7 and maybe 2.5GB ethernet?
I hope the design of the home console is smaller than the PS5 though. Dolby Vision 2 would be nice also but who knows?

As for price I told you, I think around 700. Maybe less, because they need to sell it and that is a price that will impact sales as it is. They need to offer something substantial to warrant it to the mass market.

 

[th0masp]

As for price I told you, I think around 700. Maybe less, because they need to sell it and that is a price that will impact sales as it is. They need to offer something substantial to warrant it to the mass market.

You sell consoles via games not hardware though.

Sony had a history of strong exclusives and a lineup of capable internal studios at the time the PS5 came out. Now it seems what they have is a bunch of failed GaaS projects, a studio network in disarray/partly shuttered, their exclusives having mostly been ported to PC and a range of cross-gen titles you may as well have been able to play on the previous model.
With games now taking twice as long to develop than in the good old times when can they realistically come out with a bunch of reasons for people to buy into a new generation?