An open world Syphon Filter would be amazing - and I bet that is what Sony wanted them to do. It would make sense: franchise with a positive history dating back to the PS1, all that learning from Days Gone about open world systems - and there is a huge gap in the market for a game like that. Think maybe MGS5 being the only one in recent memory? Splinter Cell is returning soon and who knows what happens next with MGS...There was a real gap there Sony Bend could have exploited.
@NEStalgia Think you make some good points but maybe you are reading into the 'prestige/premium' thing a bit too much? Honestly looking at PS5 (and this first year) - they are in a very different place from the PS3 era (would also say PS4 didn't just win by default: they had the strongest system and great gaming content over the generation - especially taking risks on new IP: I mean Bloodborne didn't sell that well in comparison to God of War or Last of Us etc). Wouldn't say they are as tone deaf and seem to be more aware of what it happening around them these days (even if they make odd mis-step).
PS5 being launched at £450 and the digital edition at £360 shows that they are thinking about competition (the demand for the PS5 shows they could have priced these systems much higher whereas the digital edition is recognition of the importance of cheaper/entry level system). A strong first year gaming line-up (which is much better so far then Microsoft - in fact would ague this is Sony's strongest gaming line-up in years in terms of release windows). Even the PS Plus collection (and improvements to PS Now) shows they are watching what is happening with gamepass a little (and I imagine in future they'll have a stronger offering but right now: they don't need to yet. It is actually more of a risk in a sense especially considering last quarter they brought record revenues - also remember gamepass does not make Microsoft the money yet and Sony don't have the same resources).
Even then: they are not exactly resting on laurels - launching games on PC shows awareness regarding establishing new revenue streams, as does their emergent focus on mobile gaming. Establishing in-roads into China (and other new markets) etc. But most of all: look at the gaming content and its variety - Demon Souls, Returnal (for your hardcore audience); Astro, Ratchet, Abe and Sackboy (for the family audience) and then Spider-man, HFW and Deathloop (big content that brings in your average PS player). Its not just the 'prestige/premium' thing - they work hard at bringing in all sorts of players (including Fallguys, Fortnite, Fifa, CoW gamers). Thats what Sony are very good at.
Don't get me wrong though: the 'prestige/premium' thing is there a little - £70 games etc; bespoke gaming like VR and of course, the focus on exclusive gaming content. But this actually could work out extremely well for the Playstation 5 (and 6) in the end. Another way of re-framing 'prestige gaming' is to call it 'risk taking' - something which a lot of gamers applaud Sony for (could you imagine last gen without Bloodborne?). And good games create lifelong fans - and it looks that is why the PS5 is doing so well. Bluntly: people like sequels/franchises and buying a Playstation is seal of quality for many gamers - you know good stuff will come. It would be more of a problem if people were sick of Horizon, God of War, LoU etc - but Sony were quite smart in the PS4 era to either shelve some games for a little while (GT) reinvent some of the older series (GoW) and takes risks in establishing newer ones (Spiderman; HZD; GoT; Bloodborne). Never mind all the third-party deals (FF7 remake, etc). It's an evident strength for them, more than anything. Yet, I imagine they are aware just how important casual gaming audiences are too and will act accordingly to get them in - as you say: that is what the brand is built on right back to the 90's.
Remote play on a ps vita often works really well. Actually the main reason I use my vita these days. In lockdown being miles away from home and I’m playing tons of things through it (FF7 remake, Wolfenstein 2 and Dead Cells recently). Yeah there are some compromises but it’s my favourite feature of this gen overall - use it all the time.
That said, I get why it is ps vita remote play is not coming to the PS5 - as the controllers are different: likely not possible. Can use a phone instead but I’d still say the vita provides a better experience in a lot of ways.
Think this is really cool and has confirmed my decision to get a PS5 digital edition and not to trade in my PS4 for it. It is a nice feature and gives me another reason to keep the PS4 around too. Go headless on the PS4 and you free up another HDMI port as well (and basically makes your PS5 two consoles in one). Four reasons for me:
1) extra storage - if we get 660gb storage in the PS5 and 500gb in the PS4 slim, that is more than enough for me and I'm never going to have to worry about upgrading storage at all (will keep costs down).
2) as I'm likely getting the digital edition PS5, I still have access to a disc drive on the PS4 (really handy for Blu-rays and DVDs). This is a big one for me as it allows me to get a next gen machine for £350 but not lose out on a feature I value.
3) PS vita remote play. This is not going to happen on the PS5 sadly (and I get it actually: the dual sense controller looks a step up from before and I'm not sure whether it would translate to a ps Vita) but it doesn't matter of I carry on doing it re: PS4. I use ps vita remote play a lot when away from home so will be able to keep doing that.
4) By keeping PS4, I still retain access to second hand physical games that are soon going to get very cheap. Yes, you lose would lose out in terms of PS5 boost tech (if you only have the PS5 digital) but it is not as if those games have suddenly become bad experiences because they are on the PS4.
Lastly, it is just cool to do. Handy I could access my PS4 from miles away if I needed to.
Comments 104
Re: Days Gone Director Pitched an Open World Resistance Game
An open world Syphon Filter would be amazing - and I bet that is what Sony wanted them to do. It would make sense: franchise with a positive history dating back to the PS1, all that learning from Days Gone about open world systems - and there is a huge gap in the market for a game like that. Think maybe MGS5 being the only one in recent memory? Splinter Cell is returning soon and who knows what happens next with MGS...There was a real gap there Sony Bend could have exploited.
Re: Sony Is Absolutely Flying Financially Right Now
@NEStalgia Think you make some good points but maybe you are reading into the 'prestige/premium' thing a bit too much? Honestly looking at PS5 (and this first year) - they are in a very different place from the PS3 era (would also say PS4 didn't just win by default: they had the strongest system and great gaming content over the generation - especially taking risks on new IP: I mean Bloodborne didn't sell that well in comparison to God of War or Last of Us etc). Wouldn't say they are as tone deaf and seem to be more aware of what it happening around them these days (even if they make odd mis-step).
PS5 being launched at £450 and the digital edition at £360 shows that they are thinking about competition (the demand for the PS5 shows they could have priced these systems much higher whereas the digital edition is recognition of the importance of cheaper/entry level system). A strong first year gaming line-up (which is much better so far then Microsoft - in fact would ague this is Sony's strongest gaming line-up in years in terms of release windows). Even the PS Plus collection (and improvements to PS Now) shows they are watching what is happening with gamepass a little (and I imagine in future they'll have a stronger offering but right now: they don't need to yet. It is actually more of a risk in a sense especially considering last quarter they brought record revenues - also remember gamepass does not make Microsoft the money yet and Sony don't have the same resources).
Even then: they are not exactly resting on laurels - launching games on PC shows awareness regarding establishing new revenue streams, as does their emergent focus on mobile gaming. Establishing in-roads into China (and other new markets) etc. But most of all: look at the gaming content and its variety - Demon Souls, Returnal (for your hardcore audience); Astro, Ratchet, Abe and Sackboy (for the family audience) and then Spider-man, HFW and Deathloop (big content that brings in your average PS player). Its not just the 'prestige/premium' thing - they work hard at bringing in all sorts of players (including Fallguys, Fortnite, Fifa, CoW gamers). Thats what Sony are very good at.
Don't get me wrong though: the 'prestige/premium' thing is there a little - £70 games etc; bespoke gaming like VR and of course, the focus on exclusive gaming content. But this actually could work out extremely well for the Playstation 5 (and 6) in the end. Another way of re-framing 'prestige gaming' is to call it 'risk taking' - something which a lot of gamers applaud Sony for (could you imagine last gen without Bloodborne?). And good games create lifelong fans - and it looks that is why the PS5 is doing so well. Bluntly: people like sequels/franchises and buying a Playstation is seal of quality for many gamers - you know good stuff will come. It would be more of a problem if people were sick of Horizon, God of War, LoU etc - but Sony were quite smart in the PS4 era to either shelve some games for a little while (GT) reinvent some of the older series (GoW) and takes risks in establishing newer ones (Spiderman; HZD; GoT; Bloodborne). Never mind all the third-party deals (FF7 remake, etc). It's an evident strength for them, more than anything. Yet, I imagine they are aware just how important casual gaming audiences are too and will act accordingly to get them in - as you say: that is what the brand is built on right back to the 90's.
Re: Sony Updates Remote Play Apps in Preparation for PS5
Remote play on a ps vita often works really well. Actually the main reason I use my vita these days. In lockdown being miles away from home and I’m playing tons of things through it (FF7 remake, Wolfenstein 2 and Dead Cells recently). Yeah there are some compromises but it’s my favourite feature of this gen overall - use it all the time.
That said, I get why it is ps vita remote play is not coming to the PS5 - as the controllers are different: likely not possible. Can use a phone instead but I’d still say the vita provides a better experience in a lot of ways.
Re: You Can Use Remote Play to Stream PS4 Games to Your PS5
Think this is really cool and has confirmed my decision to get a PS5 digital edition and not to trade in my PS4 for it. It is a nice feature and gives me another reason to keep the PS4 around too. Go headless on the PS4 and you free up another HDMI port as well (and basically makes your PS5 two consoles in one). Four reasons for me:
1) extra storage - if we get 660gb storage in the PS5 and 500gb in the PS4 slim, that is more than enough for me and I'm never going to have to worry about upgrading storage at all (will keep costs down).
2) as I'm likely getting the digital edition PS5, I still have access to a disc drive on the PS4 (really handy for Blu-rays and DVDs). This is a big one for me as it allows me to get a next gen machine for £350 but not lose out on a feature I value.
3) PS vita remote play. This is not going to happen on the PS5 sadly (and I get it actually: the dual sense controller looks a step up from before and I'm not sure whether it would translate to a ps Vita) but it doesn't matter of I carry on doing it re: PS4. I use ps vita remote play a lot when away from home so will be able to keep doing that.
4) By keeping PS4, I still retain access to second hand physical games that are soon going to get very cheap. Yes, you lose would lose out in terms of PS5 boost tech (if you only have the PS5 digital) but it is not as if those games have suddenly become bad experiences because they are on the PS4.
Lastly, it is just cool to do. Handy I could access my PS4 from miles away if I needed to.