Comments 3,101

Re: 'It's the Real Deal': Tech Experts Praise PS5 Pro's Upgraded Upscaler

Rich33

@get2sammyb
To be fair (and I was going to respond the same to them until I saw the comment disappear), people are never going to appreciate just how big of a difference this makes until you view a section of the game, using your TV set up, on a Pro, playing a section in the mode with PSSR2 then again in the mode without.

And sadly, some people still WANT to see no difference.

But if we see even half this upgrade in most games, I think the Pro is about to be far more appreciated by those upset we won't see PS6 next year.

Re: Sony Quietly Decided to Scale Back PC Ports Last Year, Insider Claims

Rich33

I've said for a long while that Sony (from their point if view) would be foolish continuing to support PC in the current market. 'PC in a box' like the rumoured next Xbox blur the lines a bit too much, and if Sony want to grow, perhaps the easiest target is PC players fed up of issues intrinsic to PC.

Unlike Xbox studios, due to the dire condition their platform / platform strategy is in; Sony 1st party games aren't there to sell, they are made only to attract customers to their platform, and to keep them happy there.

Re: Poll: Are You Playing Resident Evil Requiem?

Rich33

@OldGamer999
I keep hearing about GTA6 being CPU bound too - in my opinion the only thing preventing 60fps is the developers ability level, particularly in regards to planning / design.

They knew the CPU limits going into the development process.

Re: Sony Confirms Big PS5 Pro Upgrade Is Out in March, Better PSSR Upscaler

Rich33

@OldGamer999
Started it last night.
I've started it in the RT on / PSSR2 mode, and will likely stay unless I see fps drops later on.

I think this is an excellent showcase game to highlight just how good the Pro is - the image quality is well above most 3rd party games, it has RT, and very importantly it is sticking very well to 60fps (at least at present).

Comparing the PS5 / Pro versions, the Pro is a massive leap ahead - I personally think the base PS5 version looks a bit rough.

Re: Sony Confirms Big PS5 Pro Upgrade Is Out in March, Better PSSR Upscaler

Rich33

@Runex2121
Its not the best picture comparison, but the detail level is much higher in the 2nd - the easiest thing to see is that the hair strands are defined rather than just a bit of a smear.

My point was intended to be more generalised though. In part thanks to poor video/image reproduction (eg YouTube not direct Pro to TV), and the insistence of people to review on the comparatively tiny and often low res screens of their mobiles.

Re: Sony Confirms Big PS5 Pro Upgrade Is Out in March, Better PSSR Upscaler

Rich33

@Reeneman
I'm listening to the DF video as I type, and they have said that older games using PSSR(1) won't need a patch - this will be done on a system level, with a toggle in case of an issue.
(I suspect thats what the extra 6m of support is about, to clear any bugs found in individual titles when it auto upgrades)

Honestly, if this is all true, this sounds like it could be great news as we were all expecting that individual devs would need to patch their games, and it seems that is not needed.

Re: Sony Confirms Big PS5 Pro Upgrade Is Out in March, Better PSSR Upscaler

Rich33

@wildcat_kickz @carlos82
Its completely possible that the current 'mystery' upscaling tech used for the RT mode on Pro is PSSR2 or at least a pre release version. Its certainly only possible to run this tech on the Pro.

It could have been added in the last firmware update, exclusively for RER to use (or maybe via the game files).

If this is the case, the reason why they are likely not claiming it to be PSSR2 is that either the version of PSSR2, or Capcoms implementation of it, are not yet complete, and the game will receive a further visual boost in March to coincide with the full release.

Re: Sony Confirms Big PS5 Pro Upgrade Is Out in March, Better PSSR Upscaler

Rich33

I pointed this out yesterday, but it's really odd/coincidental that RER uses upscaling tech, usable on the Pro only, which is a 'gigantic' improvement over other versions.
Whether this is PSSR2, an early build trial etc (which could have been added in the last firmware update), I don't know; but its now clear Capcom have been collaborating with Sony on this.

Re: Resident Evil Requiem 'Head and Shoulders' Ahead of All Consoles on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@JDINCINERATOR
I see this argument a lot, but I would buy a game with mediocre gameplay if it had excellent framerate and good visuals.
However, I will not buy a game which isn't 60fps (with only limited drops), or that has visuals that are too bad (though I am a bit more forgiving here), no matter how good the gameplay is - it could literally be the best gameplay ever, I would not care. A large % of my friends are similar.

Re: Resident Evil Requiem 'Head and Shoulders' Ahead of All Consoles on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@LowDefAl
I was assuming that the firmware change had already happened as you rightly point out.

It wasn't so much the pixel counting that caught my attention, it was how he kept describing the image quality difference but kept clarifying the images were the same pre upscale resolution.

It may just be that FSR1/2 used on base PS5 / 120hz mode may be that bad that it makes whatever the Pro is using for this Pro only mode look so good - FSR 1/2 are horrible upscalers in my opinion, but he made it sound likr it was much more than this.

I also caught that he said the video was originally going to be Pro only.
All of this, along with the 'coincidences' of this upscaling tech only being usable on Pro, the timing, and that he said there was something 'special' coming soon, just got me thinking that this may actually be a 'trial run' for PSSR2, and that he just wasn't allowed to say/suggest this.

Re: Resident Evil Requiem 'Head and Shoulders' Ahead of All Consoles on PS5 Pro

Rich33

So, having watched the entire video my question is : does this use PSSR2 for the RT 60fps mode on Pro?

JL (DF) mentions repeatedly that the pre upscale resolution is the same, but that there is a "gigantic" increase in perceived image quality in this mode (as well as the visual RT effects), and he talks about just how good it is on a number of occasions. It's almost like Sony have asked them to to not divulge the upscaler used / suspicions.

It's also odd how this upscaling is only available on Pro in this mode (though obviously base PS5 does not have the hardware needed to run PSSR if this is the case).

Re: PS5 Pro Upgrade Details Spotted, as Sony Patents PSSR 2.0 Tech

Rich33

@MrPeanutbutterz (@GamingGod)
Plenty of games see a significant framerate boost on PS5 Pro - eg every native RE game I can think of, stellar blade, even dynasty warriors origins which handles huge numbers of characters at once.

Making a game that struggles at 60fps due to CPU limitation is poor planning and/or work by dev teams / publishers. They all know the CPU details going in.

Re: Incoming Xbox Boss Promises a 'Renewed Commitment to Console', and 'Hears' Fans on Skipping PS5

Rich33

@Leinad7
If the next Xbox is a PC in a box then other marketplaces can sell games on the machine, eg steam, meaning the microsoft store is surplus to requirements, at least for anything other than perhaps Xbox studio games.

In this case MS/Xbox make nothing on games apart from sales of their own games, and we know from current models that this is small compared to making money selling all games in a closed ecosystem. I suppose they could sell other games, but they will have to compete with some very established marketplaces.

Therefore Xbox as a console brand ie "as anything other than a multiformat (games) company" is dead, because there is no need to own the hardware above any other pre built PC.

The hardware will also not be subsidised, and quite the reverse (profit will need to be made), and will just run general purpose PC code.

Re: Incoming Xbox Boss Promises a 'Renewed Commitment to Console', and 'Hears' Fans on Skipping PS5

Rich33

What would be the point of them making games exclusive to Xbox again - they are far too down the slope already.

The damage has been done to a large proportion of their user base now, what with them selling their games on PS5 with no deals for Sony games in return, and dramatically raising GP prices.

And if rumour is believed, and their next Xbox is a PC in a box, then Xbox is dead, as anything other than a multiformat company.

Anyway, If they stop making games on PS5, its not exactly a massive loss given their frequent quality.

(Truthfully though, on the Sony side, the Bluepoint close is concerning - from a what was someone thinking point of view?! Incredulous!)

Re: Opinion: Sony's Disgraceful Bluepoint Closure Should Concern Every PS Studios Fan

Rich33

@get2sammyb
FWIW an excellent article.

This one really shocked me.
A remake like Demon Souls can't be judged on the same metrics as their own game, but on every metric it could be judged on, it clearly excels, and to this day remains one of the best technical examples of what PS5 can do. It really was such a high quality, polished game.

Its not like there aren't other remakes people have been absolutely clamouring for!

Re: Resident Evil Requiem PS5 Spoilers Are Starting to Circulate, So Be Safe Out There

Rich33

@LifeGirl
Maybe not for just the story, but on my 1st playthrough I like to 'go in blind' as the saying goes.
I don't want to be walking through a section thinking "oh, this looks like where a fight with that big creature was shown".
Also, if we are going to meet up with BOWs last seen in RE2/3, I would rather not know about before it happens.

More than anything though, I just really dislike the fact that this crap only happens because people are obsessed with clicks and likes, and its not just games either.
If they published a Youtube video that showed nothing in the thumbnail, and the title just said "Spoiler RE9 Full Ending", I would be fine with this - then people can decide for themselves.
But No, they have to publish a video with some characters dead body in the thumbnail with a title of "Character X DIES AT END OF RE9"!

Re: Xbox RPG Avowed Snubs PS5 Pro Support

Rich33

@OldGamer999
This might actually be very good Pro support (as per my comment #19). The comments on the DF video suggest much higher framerates for the Pro when you uncap fps on Pro in performance mode, and balanced mode - unfortunately DF didn't cover it. Others may have done fps checks though.

Re: Opinion: The Euphoric Reaction to PS6's Rumoured Delay Really Confuses Me

Rich33

@mattitudemf
I would prefer it be that way, but with game development taking so long these days, not to mention R&D costs skyrocketing if they redesigned, and also chip securing, they have to finalise hardware very early.

The AI algorithms might well be better with a later launch, and as I said maybe clock speeds a bit higher if they have this option, but the PS6 key hardware will be fixed by now, delayed or not, and yes, as you rightly point out, too much of a delay could be very detrimental here.

Re: Xbox RPG Avowed Snubs PS5 Pro Support

Rich33

@Oneluckyfarmer
I have really enjoyed my Pro, and bought it at launch.
A lot of games see some really good improvements, some night and day imo, and as per above sometimes the improvement is simply that it 'fixes' games with rough framerates / visuals, which to me can be worth it - I do not like framerates that drop too often / hard, and there really have been games I literally would not have bought on base PS5.

There have been a small handful of poor upgrades from certain dev teams, but then there are also examples of games that run poorly on even very powerful PC's.

There are a few caveats:

  • I might be less inclined if you don't play at (/want to play at) 60fps+ as the upgrades of quality modes are usually less substantial.
  • Some of the game enhancements are based around exceeding 60fps using 120hz VRR modes - I have no idea if your TV is HDMI2.1 / 4k120 VRR. eg RE4 remake and village both look a tiny bit better imo, but the big difference is that they run at much higher framerates RE4r is around 90fps if you have a compatible TV. That all said, if you have a 4k60 TV, I wouldn't rule it out either.
  • Obviously it also depends on if you like the sort of game that enhancements favour - ie AAA as opposed to Indie.

As @Oram77 said (I was just held up typing this lol), the fact that PS6 is possibly further out than thought is a big sweetener.

One other further thing is that we are expecting a new version of Pro's PSSR upscaler very soon now.
This could provide anything from a minor upgrade to what we are seeing from PSSR now, to a very major upgrade. Mark Cerny has certainly seemed confident in interviews.

Re: Xbox RPG Avowed Snubs PS5 Pro Support

Rich33

I have just watched the DF review quickly.
One MAJOR thing they miss covering is the framerate of the Pro version in unlocked framerate (120hz VRR) performance mode.

They say you can unlock fps on both PS5 & Pro but not satisfactorily on Series X (issues with VRR). They also state it's not really worth doing on base PS5 as it doesn't ever get much above 60fps.

The fps charts for 60fps mode (capped) show that both PS5 and Series X (to a greater degree they say) struggle with maintaining 60fps, but Pro manages to lock very well to 60fps meaning there may be a good deal of overhead here, and that you might get some really good framerate boosts this way.

Re: Opinion: The Euphoric Reaction to PS6's Rumoured Delay Really Confuses Me

Rich33

@mattitudemf
Its true that I am going on the rumoured specs, but it's highly unlikely they will improve the hardware during the delay - particularly the CPU / GPU components as these are probably already set in stone.
The best you could hope for is an uplift in clock speeds if the chip is not maxxed out, and they can improve the cooling system.

The rumoured specs have the PS6 a nice jump above PS5/Pro, but not even close to enough for me to be confident that it's going to be enough at this stage.

Re: Xbox RPG Avowed Snubs PS5 Pro Support

Rich33

@ButterySmooth30FPS
I don't necessarily think they have been that fantastic in technical terms on base PS5 either - they are certainly not in Sony's league at all.
1 major exception comes to mind being Forza, and that had excellent Pro support.

Re: Xbox RPG Avowed Snubs PS5 Pro Support

Rich33

@Oram77
Totally agree with you about games with good Pro support being a joy - in fact I would go as far as saying those with bad Pro support just look substandard once you have played a few games with good Pro support.

PSSR does not play well with UE5, so just leave it out and use the extra horsepower - this will likely be improved with PSSR2.

Having read this article, but not watched the DF analysis I'm not sure if they have put the extra power to good use though - unless its a simple case of its a bit substandard on base PS5 and Pro 'fixes' it.

Re: Xbox RPG Avowed Snubs PS5 Pro Support

Rich33

@Dogbreath
Better graphics is nice, higher framerates is nicer, at least in my opinion.
But I totally agree with you, there have been games I would not have bought if I still had a base PS5, due to framerate issues etc on base PS5 (or occasionally due to blurry image quality on base PS5).

Re: Opinion: The Euphoric Reaction to PS6's Rumoured Delay Really Confuses Me

Rich33

@LogicStrikesAgain @wildcat_kickz

I would be perfectly happy with games next gen looking more or less like they do now, with better image quality from a resolution/upscaling point of view in some cases, as long as they target 120fps ideally, and certainly over 90fps.

I am however sure there will be not be 'next gen' games as such - the games will be very much like this gen, just with higher framerates / Image quality (including via upscaling) / added features like RT at higher framerates, better LODs etc.

Lets be honest, a number of Devs are struggling to get their games running at 1080p native (pre upscale), at locked 60fps on PS5; and virtually no game (unless it's from Insomniac) features decent RT at 60fps(+) .

Re: Opinion: The Euphoric Reaction to PS6's Rumoured Delay Really Confuses Me

Rich33

@McBurn
I'm not in disagreement with you.
But, I need to see what the PS6 can do - if it's not built around 90fps target for performance modes, then it might be a hard sell to me. It will also depend very much on what Sony are doing with their 1st party games (which I spend a lot of time playing), ie are they also selling them on PC?

I always go into each generation with an open mind between staying, or moving to PC if the new Playstation isn't powerful enough. I'm far more concerned for PS6 than I was for PS5.

I think the strong objections on AI dont really relate to the hardware in the PS6 (or PS5 Pro) - I don't like Generative AI or some of the other uses eg Chatbots, but I have no objection to how it will be used in PS6 as a calculation tool, providing Devs actually use it.