SMJ

@Bez87 Sorry, my point was that despite the hardware, it can be classed as Microsoft product based on its OS. In the same way that people have Android phones regardless of whether it's made by Samsung, Motorola etc.

@Rich33 Thanks dude. 👍 Great info.

I think that the fact this "performs" so much better on Xbox is completely irrelevant.

It was built for Xbox and then ported part way through development.

However, I still stand by my opinion that the PS5 Pro is an unnecessary, underpowered and overpriced addition to this generation.

@ButterySmooth30FPS Thanks for the info. 👍

I'm not technically minded enough to know the solution but, for those who are, is there not a way for Sony to have something at a hardware level make these improvements without needing developers to do any extra work?

I'm fairly certain that games running on Xbox One X and Series X automatically got boosted to run faster and at higher resolution with no dev input required.

I think Nintendo even uses a similar trick with Switch 2.

@get2sammyb Do you count Sony as a third party publisher?

I must have missed the announcement where ALL Xbox games are coming to PlayStation. 😂

@ilyn Yes that's exactly what I'm saying could happen. As you've said, the OS would be the major sticking point. But I think some kind of powerful, gaming only Windows would be the easiest option for everyone to work with given how all development starts on PC.

I genuinely think it finally end any talk of console wars and get people to focus on playing any amazing game they want. It would then force Sony and Microsoft to constantly strive to produce better and better games.

@LogicStrikesAgain Agreed. Even diehard Sony fans have been disappointed with their output this generation. They either need to get their current studios to increase their output without losing quality or buy franchises/developers/publishers to bulk up their portfolio. Both options are difficult, costly and risky.

I really don't want a streaming only future myself but I also think that's the way things are heading. I've made my piece with physical ownership disappearing but I don't think I'll continue gaming if I can't even "buy" a digital copy.

@GamingGod Yes. But I still don't understand what point you're trying to make that's so funny? You're stating simple business facts like they're some kind of brag.

It's also a fact that Sony bailed out the PlayStation division after the massive loss of the PS3 generation. (My personal favourite PS console btw)

It's also a fact that Xbox is a massively profitable division of Microsoft.

It's also a fact that Nintendo were under huge pressure from shareholders to go 3rd party due to the failure of the Wii U.

None of those are brags. Just facts.

@GamingGod Maybe they would have. Microsoft has deeper pockets than Sony. What's your point?

@LogicStrikesAgain Exactly this. I believe the next Xbox and PS6 will be the last bespoke hardware from either. After that they will both go back to locking their exclusives to their own apps. For multiplatform games, players will be able to decide if they want to purchase via the PlayStation app, Xbox app etc. depending on which ecosystem they prefer/where their friends play. Sony and Microsoft still get their 30%.

At that point, the games and user experience will be the selling point and nothing to do with which box you chose.

@GamingGod Yes that is true. And without Sony stumping up billions, PlayStation would never have existed. The both have parent companies and shareholders.

@LogicStrikesAgain Why does nobody understand what I'm saying??? Sony will have their own storefront where you can buy Sony exclusives and multiplatform games. Xbox will have their own storefront where you can buy exclusives and multiplatform games. They will literally be separate apps just as TV apps are now.

In exactly the same way that I can watch things on Netflix, Prime, Paramount+, Disney+ etc. using the same TV, laptop or phone.

Please tell me that makes sense.

@ilyn That's exactly my point. The hardware should be irrelevant and one single piece of hardware should be able to access any games we want.

If a disguised PC in a box could access any storefront then that's exactly what we would have.

Hardware is just the conduit to play games. Nobody buys a PS5/Xbox/Switch to not play games.

Music, books and films don't tie you down to one place to listen, read or watch.

The way the games industry works is antiquated.

@Oram77 But I'm saying it will be very streamlined. I also think that virtually all people (not just gamers) are used to updates on any tech they own nowadays.

Laptops, tablets, consoles, phones, games, TVs, GPS, smart speakers, smart watches etc etc. all need updating and people are used to it.

@Oram77 But I think the disguised PC in a box will be plug and play just like a console is now. The casual gamer won't notice a difference as it will be set up just as consoles are now.

As a consumer and gamer who tends to buy all hardware I can, I would love to see a scenario where I only need to buy one box each generation and can access any game I want to. This is why I still believe that a disguised PC in a box which can access any storefront is the future.

This benefits everyone. A game like Helldivers 2 should be on as many platforms as physically possible to succeed.

@Bez87 I get what you're saying to a point. However it does use Windows.

I massively preferred the shape and comfort of the DualShock 4 and I always have the adaptive triggers and speaker off in any game with the DualSense.

This is amazing post launch support from Ubisoft.

@PuppetMaster You clearly have no idea about games in general. That's fine. Carry on believing what you do.

@arty1977 Name me a platform game where you had to collect 100 of something to get a bonus, before Super Mario Bros.

@naruball So it's fine to copy the game mechanics, level design, puzzle style, control schemes as long as the main character looks different? 😂

And yes, collecting 100 coins/rings/whatever, for some kind of bonus is a game mechanic introduced by Super Mario Bros.

@naruball What? You're kidding right? The floating mechanic is copied from Mario Sunshine, the tightrope walking is copied from Mario Sunshine, the coin collecting is copied from every Mario game, the tilting/twisting platforms are from Mario 64 onwards, the level design is copied from Mario 3D Land/World & Galaxy. Pretty much everything Astro Bot does is lifted from something Nintendo already made. I'm not saying that it's not a good game but don't try to claim it's original.

It may have a similar art style but the gameplay I saw was completely different.

I would have thought that lots of digital sales were made during the pandemic, especially with Japan's incredibly strict quarantine rules at the time.

@JohnnyShoulder I bought this on Xbox One and still haven't played it. I've heard great things about it though.

😥 Awful news. Rest in peace.

Why the PS2 version???

Anyone voting 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is a fanboy trying to skew the numbers in my opinion.

@Foxhound Yeah Nintendo really ****ed up with Game Key Cards. Limiting publishers to 64GB cards is an absolutely ridiculous practice that they should stop as soon as possible.

@get2sammyb It does seem strange. Maybe it's to try and encourage people to still play if they can't find many people at a very low level.

@naruball If Nintendo had such a huge amount of extremely loyal fans then the Wii U would have been a smash hit.

But that's because Japan loves handhelds.... Oh. Wait.

I really like the look of this but I already have black, white, cobalt blue and volcanic red controllers.

I'm so tempted though.

I want more Uncharted.

Is this article going to be updated now that Microsoft have once again confirmed that they are definitely releasing a new Xbox?

No. Probably not.

@Weebleman Well I hope it doesn't come across that way. I've owned every PlayStation since the PS2 (I chose N64 during the PS1 gen) and have spent thousands of pounds over the years on PlayStation games.

I just like games and have no allegiance to one plastic box over another.

Why is no-one complaining that this is a digital only release?

It's difficult because they're mostly fantastically well made and wonderful games.

However, I do think that there's a common path these games take. Not thematically, but more to do with similar viewpoints, control schemes and the similar serious, dark tone a lot of them take.

Personally, I'd like to see one of the Sony studios create something realistic but more light hearted, fun and engaging, whilst still using the amazing tech they're known for.

People here will complain because sports games are selling more than their favourite game. They'll look down their noses at anyone who buys Madden or EAFC because any who buys them isn't a true gamer.

That to me is way more depressing than millions of people buying a genre of game I don't like.

@naruball Sorry, I'm not sure which of my posts you were referring to.

@Northern_munkey In fairness, despite the massive initial hardware issues, the Xbox 360 is regarded as one of the greatest consoles ever.

It perfected online console gaming, introduced digital storefronts, was the home to some of the industry's biggest franchises and usually had the best versions of multiplatform games.

This isn't my opinion, but the opinion of pretty much any gaming journalists who worked during that generation.

If you look at the day one release schedule for Game Pass Ultimate in the last 12 months, it has been massively underpriced so I'm not at all surprised this has happened.