Comments 4,111

Re: GTA 6 Not Expected to Run at 60fps on Any PS5 Console

Rich33

@Vaako007
Its not exactly rare though. Myself and over half the people I know who play games regularly have some degree of discomfort playing at less than 60fps, ranging from mild (but that still prevents decent length sessions) to severe.

Should we as a community just not care about anything the majority can accept? Because the majority can accept digital purchases of games.
It's interesting because I sometimes see people claim that solid 60fps 'isn't important' based on the 'majority', and some of those same people are now incredibly upset with Sony stopping support for physical gaming, even though it has been on the decline for years, and is very much in the minority according to data; whereas 60fps has been the standard for nearly 6 years, and preference for higher framerates is on the increase.

Re: Reaction: Travelling the World Made Me Realise What PlayStation Is About to Lose

Rich33

On the matter of stores potentially closing - I do feel sorry to see any high street store do badly - too many shut down these days, and remain empty.

However, I can't shake the feeling that a lot of these same stores were perfectly happy to sell digital consoles ie Series S, Digital PS5, PS5 Pro.
They should have refused to sell Series S and Digital PS5, and only sold PS5 Pro with a Disc drive in a pack.

Re: Reaction: Travelling the World Made Me Realise What PlayStation Is About to Lose

Rich33

Personally, this change will not really affect me too much as I buy digital from the PS store anyway.

I hope it actually ends up being a positive move overall, given potential PS store changes etc, but we won't know more until Sony start talking more - and that is unlikely whilst people are still angry.

I will add that I hope the PS6 does have an optional drive.

Re: Sony Earns Community Note as It Quits Social Media for Days After Killing Physical Games

Rich33

@LikelySatan
There is no law etc as far as I can tell that in any way could be used to compel Sony to keep supporting Physical. Nor will there be.
The only thing Sony is compelled to do is facilitate like for like product sold by others - so digital codes on small cards sold by retailers (if they wish), or online bought codes, (as per wallet top ups) would satisfy this. Sony will need to detail more about this.

"People literally ARE entitled to ownership of the things they purchase, Captain Mensa. Open your eyes for a second."
Actually, I do not believe they are - I believe for many years all software digital and physical only grants the right to a 1 off limited license.
This could easily change with all digital suppliers compelled to honour licenses for a minimum period of time - I suspect Sony's legal teams have already been monitoring this, and Sony may even have taken steps in this area for the future. It sounds odd, but maybe the closing of the PS3/Vita stores (and the removal of those movies) may be the 1st part, as they are amalgamating everything else for ease.

Barring any unprecedented U turn, Physical (going forwards from 2028) is dead, and it has been going this way for years now - that 'how to borrow PS4 games' video is (sadly) quite old now.
The key questions that Sony need to answer are around things like whether they are going to have an optional disc drive for PS6 for people to play the back collections, and if not, will they introduce another mechanism to allow this? Also, whether they plan to upgrade the PS store in any way?

I hope they do have good answers to these points, but nothing compels them in these areas except customer perception and action - and by action I mean something meaningful like a drop off in digital purchases, or mass cancellation of digital pre orders. I have said before a number of times, that I suspect/guess they have been, and are, watching what happens with GTA6 very closely indeed.

Re: Sony Will Have Capacity to Continue Manufacturing Some Game Discs Beyond 2028 Cut-Off Date

Rich33

@AdamNovice @Oram77
Given the speed Sony reacted to the UK Social media ban for children (before it was even announced they had opened the age verification), I suspect their legal team is very well informed.

They probably have a very good idea of any relevant laws that could change over the next few years, and plans to keep within them.
The only part missing is they are not telling their customer base (except the part about digital codes which will satisfy anti monopoly).

Re: PS5 Disc Drives Limited to One Per Order, Sony Acknowledges High Demand

Rich33

For those even remotely upset over this, the first thing I would do is to cancel pre-orders of any AAA game that does not have a proper Physical version, eg GTA6.

Then just wait a bit. Sony will probably keep quiet for a while yet - I would expect until after Xbox's likely implosion next week.
Then hopefully they will start answering some of the questions they need to.
Eg will there be an optional drive for PS6, and what store improvements / facilities for disc owners are they planning.

Re: Sony Rewarded with Soaring Stocks After Revealing All-Digital Future

Rich33

@NerdyPaul
As far as I understand it, thats why they will be catering for digital codes sold at retail - should retailers decide to stock them. These can be as simple as a code on a card, like a wallet top up.

They do not have to facilitate physical, just allow digital to be sold elsewhere to satisfy the various laws.

Remember how fast Sony were to react to the UK Social media ban for children - they started the age verification process before it was even announced. Sony likely has a very well informed legal team advising them.

Re: 'You Will Own Nothing and Be Happy': PlayStation's YouTube Comments Are a Horror Show

Rich33

No point in Sony coming back to social media etc right now, as I don't think some people are in a good place to listen. Sorry, but it's true.

When they do come back they need to come with answers, and no marketing talk.

  • Will the PS6 have an optional disc drive as PS5 Pro?
  • If not, how will users transfer disc collections to PS6?
  • What specific (no marketing BS) improvements are going to be made to the PS Store?

Re: Poll: $1,000 and No Disc Drive - Is PS6 Dead on Arrival?

Rich33

I never expected or wanted a disc drive to be included - I don't want the added expense.
I would prefer if there was an optional add on, but its no dealbreaker.

The only things that will determine if I buy a PS6 at launch is it's capability (most importantly framerates, and visual quality) and price, but I very much expect to want one at launch.

Re: Rumour: Xbox Is 'Heavily Evaluating' Halo's Future Just Weeks Before Its PS5 Debut

Rich33

@Titntin
"With messaging from MS being so inconsistent I can see many not buying Halo at all on PS5."

Very much in this category myself. I played a Halo game back on Xbox360 - might have been 3. It was OK, but nothing special in my opinion.

But, if Xbox were true multiplatform, I would probably give this Halo 1 remake a go if its quality is high enough (eg no poor Pro enhancements some Xbox studios have been guilty of). With things as they are, not a chance - who knows if the rest of the series will see PS versions.

Re: Reaction: PlayStation's Reputation Is at Rock Bottom - Where Do We Go from Here?

Rich33

@themightyant
"there's an important reason why you can refund a game after 1 or 2 hours on Steam as the game LITERALLY might not work well, or at all, on your hardware. PlayStation doesn't have this issue."

I beg to differ, though the issue is not as clear cut on console and I get your overall point.

We have had some real stinkers on console too on occasion.

There have also been plenty of occasions I have not bought games because I haven't been confident in their framerates (for example if no DF analysis or no repeat analysis following a key 'performance patch') .
Though I, and others (because I said to have a go and they got back to me), have had refunds from Sony in the past based on framerates.

Sony really needs a customer friendly refund option, and in my opinion need to go further than steam, for more expensive games.
The higher the purchase price of a game / edition, the more it should be able to withstand scrutiny.
At least this might help (in a small way) to incentivise devs to realistically price their games.

Edit: removed unintentional Emoji yet again...

Re: Reaction: PlayStation's Reputation Is at Rock Bottom - Where Do We Go from Here?

Rich33

@Pat_trick
There is nothing in your reply to me I disagree with. Let me also reiterate that whilst I do not really buy Physical games, that does NOT mean I don't want them to exist.
Changes to the PS store would also be welcome.
I do not want consoles to ship with disc drives (as it costs me money), but I do want optional drives.

I have very strong requirements / opinions on framerates (60fps).
In recent articles on opinions as to whether GTA6 will be 60fps, it was staggering to see a few people defend GTA6 if it can't sustain 60fps based on the selfish argument of "most people don't care" (which I think is BS, I think requirements are on an upwards trend, and some will be in for a shock if 30fps is all that's available).

I'm sure that I have seen a few of those same people in articles around this recent announcement from Sony, complaining that their minority (and in requirement terms downwards trending) Physical options aren't going to be available, and how unfair it is.

If GTA6 or any game isn't a strong 60fps, I will NOT buy it. And I know others won't too.

If I held Physical games as important to me, no way would I buy any AAA game that didn't have a proper Physical Edition. No exceptions.
Sadly, I think very few have been sticking to this, and as you rightly say, Sony have seen this - they have seen that people have been making exceptions (GTA6 in particular) and buying digital (or what I would consider fake Physical). If not, the timing is very coincidental.

If I were in the Physical is important to me camp here, I would not just be complaining or signing a petition- I would be cancelling my pre-order of GTA6, and any other similar non-physical game, and encouraging others to do the same.
I'm sure Sony will be monitoring for this behaviour.

Re: Reaction: PlayStation's Reputation Is at Rock Bottom - Where Do We Go from Here?

Rich33

@Pat_trick
As per @Northern_munkey , I've had a fair few conversations with @TitnTin before, and he (I am assuming 'he' is correct) seems like a good guy.
I do not think he is having a go specifically at users either.

For my part, I am practically all digital, but I do have very mixed views over this move from Sony. I prefer the option of Physical to be there, but mostly because some really like that option. I also don't think the 85% figure is wholly representative of the situation.

However, there is one part that I really have to question.
In my opinion this has been done on the back of the massive pre-orders for GTA6 which is digital only. I seriously wonder how many people, to whom Physical is important, went and pre-ordered that game.
Don't get me wrong, I think Sony wanted to do this, but the support for GTA6 effectively green lit it for them.

Re: PS6 May Not Be the Only Fully Digital Console Next-Gen

Rich33

Do we know that this affects 3rd party games?
I have read the blog a couple of times, and it really isn't clear. I read it as just their games, until clarified.

Do they manufacture/ print all discs?
Or do other publishers print their own?
If so, how does Sony 'stop supporting' discs printed by other publishers?

Re: Sony Takes Social Media Time Out After Controversially Killing Physical Games

Rich33

@ShadowRJ
"I can assure you, this will not just blow over. We all still talk about the Xbox One disaster to this day. This is announcement is on that level."

Is it?

Does it include 3rd party games, or does it just pertain only to Sony published games? It isn't very clear, but certainly does not specify 3rd party.

This is no different to GTA6 being 'all digital' - how many are pre-ordering that game? Everyone who pre-orders / buys this game is signalling to Sony that Digital only is completely acceptable.

Even IF this means no more Physical games from 3rd party as well, we are many years since the Xbox announcement, and Sony's platform competitors have mostly gone this way already - with Helix likely digital.

I'm not saying I like the idea - I have very mixed views (even though I buy digital), but I'm not sure we even know what has been announced yet.

Re: Sony Takes Social Media Time Out After Controversially Killing Physical Games

Rich33

@PuppetMaster
I do wonder how many people upset with Sony at the moment about this, pre ordered (or are intending to) GTA6.

(I will be 'outraged' if the game doesn't support 60fps - but if it doesn't have a strong 60fps, I will not buy it until it does, even if that is never.)

I also have big questions as to what people think has been announced. Maybe I'm wrong, but as far as I can see it only pertains to games published by Sony, nothing more.
It does not (again, as far as I can tell), mean that PS6 won't have a disc drive. (I think there is 0% chance of it coming with one and nobody should expect this, but it could still have an optional drive as per PS5 Pro).

Re: Sony Takes Social Media Time Out After Controversially Killing Physical Games

Rich33

@get2sammyb @LogicStrikesAgain
I think a lot of the timing for Sony's announcement of them ceasing Physical versions of their games (and only their games?) is how well GTA6 is selling right now, despite being digital only.
All those rushing to pre-order this game have sent Sony the message that this is OK, and Sony had the announcement 'ready to go'.

(NB I am only talking the digital announcement- the PS3/Vita store is likely a legal notification as Sammy said).

Edit: Xbox on a self destruct course probably helped with the timing too.

Re: PS6 Release Now Expected End of 2028, According to Analyst

Rich33

@UltimateOtaku91
I actually think it makes a lot of sense.

Stop discs during PS5, wait (nearly) a year, release PS6 - this distances PS6 from the decision to stop discs, any bad feeling will have died down as people have got used to it, and here is the shiny new PS6!

The alternative (launch 2027) means they would be promoting PS6 in the 6 months prior to stopping discs when people are likely talking about this decision (more and more up to the stop date). It also makes it look like PS6 is linked to said decision, and sours the mood at a time Sony want people to be celebrating PS6.

Re: Now Even Rockstar Says GTA 6 Plays Best on PS5

Rich33

@Yor-sama
I do totally agree with you, and have said similar in the past.

I'm actually very surprised Sony haven't created a minimum standard for performance at 60fps, including things like minimum average fps etc.

They (Sony) easily have the market position to do this (and Xbox may well join in with them in a project).

Mark Cerny and some of their dev teams have also spoken out in the past about how less than 60fps is unnecessary now on PS5. And you only need to look at how reliable their own AAA games are in terms of framerate. Like or loathe their games, technically they are always top tier here.

"Friends don't let friends play at 30fps" I think is what was said on one of the SoP's or Showcases etc by a lead Sony Dev (might have been a Horizon dev).

Re: Just 15% of All PS5 Software Was Purchased Physically Last Quarter

Rich33

@Intr1n5ic
No problem.
And I'm not saying its right - I have very mixed feelings it would take me multiple paragraphs to list! Just that as I understand it, there is nothing for regulatory bodies to consider.

As I said in my previous reply, Sony are free to sell the games they publish any way they want - and are quite entitled to only sell on their storefront.
But in relation to 3rd party games, this could get very messy.

I would still be surprised if there is not an option for adding a drive to the PS6 for other publishers physical games and back catalogues, but others aren't as sure.
And you raise a good point, we could see more deals for wallet top ups or online stores could well start to get more into selling digital codes - which we don't really see that much of at the moment.

Re: Just 15% of All PS5 Software Was Purchased Physically Last Quarter

Rich33

@Intr1n5ic
I don't believe there is anything for regulatory bodies to even consider, providing Sony continue to cater to digital codes sold by retailers for 3rd party games.

(This is like for like what they offer via their storefront. ie If they only allowed retailers to sell digital codes, but they sold discs for 3rd party then thats a problem, but like for like (digital codes - digital storefront) is fine).

They do not need to allow digital code sales by retailers for the games they publish, as they are free to sell exclusively.

Retailers effectively "dug their own grave' by selling digital models I'm afraid to say.

Re: Now Even Rockstar Says GTA 6 Plays Best on PS5

Rich33

@Yor-sama @Max_the_German
To be fair (and I have added a like to both your comments), and if it is indeed not 60fps, this is in my opinion probably a case of R* just doing what they please, and adding far too many barely noticeable systems without caring, and without a target in mind. Then at the end of the day going "yay - it reaches 30fps; that will do".

Its not like there are 100+ million consoles that all use effectively the same CPU (with Pro a bit faster), and its not like 60fps has been the console expectation for 6 years. (Sarcasm)

It's still 100% their fault. Its like having a perfectly good car that will comfortably drive a family of 5, and then adding a trailer with a 100 piece band in for slightly better driving music (when the audio system works perfectly well), and expecting the engine to cope.

Re: PS5 Pro Adds Extra Shine to Your Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Remake

Rich33

@Nightcrawler71
As far as I can see (and take this with a pinch of salt as I don't own it so can't check it out to see what it is actually doing):

(Balanced mode on 60hz TV)
Base PS5 - locks to 30fps. It may possibly be a more stable 30fps than quality mode).
Pro - it appears this will target 48fps and above, but can drop below the 48fps VRR range at times. If you don't have VRR available at all, it may well lock to 30fps as well.

Re: 'I Don't Know What They're Thinking': Ex-PlayStation Boss Weighs in on Sony's PC Port Backtracking

Rich33

@NicolausCamp
And thats fine. It sounds like you fit into the group he was referring to - You wouldn't switch to PS, and are only interested in Sony games if on PC.

My point though was that its just as, if not more important to use exclusives to KEEP customers, as opposed to just gaining them.
Sony has, over many years, attracted a lot of people to their system with a certain type of single player game. Allowing those games onto PC, removes 1 incentive for those gamers to stay.

Sony's exclusives are a major draw to keep me on PlayStation - Sony would need to screw up quite badly, for me to seriously consider an alternative at this time.
PC also needs to take a major leap forwards in ease of use / simplicity too - in fact, I know a number of people in the last couple of years who have made the leap from PC to PS5 (Pro in most cases) for just that reason.

Re: 'I Don't Know What They're Thinking': Ex-PlayStation Boss Weighs in on Sony's PC Port Backtracking

Rich33

"I think if someone's waiting 18 months for something to come on PC, we didn't lose a sale to them. They weren't going to buy the hardware anyway."

Thats all well and good, but the main issue is that Sony don't want to lose brand value, then customers to PC.

Not being able to play Sony 1st party games on PC is 1 of a few big reasons I have no interest in moving to PC next gen.