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PS4: The console generation is changing

         


            Sony has been in the console market for 20 years now. Each generation of the PlayStation always had a revision of every console, each iteration of PlayStation had a slim model. On March 18, 2016 Kotaku reported that Sony is working on a PlayStation 4.5, we now know that the code name for it is “NEO”. What makes this different from the slim models? Well the NEO won’t just be the same console in a slimmer case. It will be an upgrade to the existing PS4. This will allow the console market too catch-up to par with the PC audience.
            
            Sony recently setup an event called The PlayStation Meeting, in New York at 3pm Eastern on September 7. There, they are set to announce two new consoles for this generation, but someone beat them to it. One of the console was leaked on Monday, August 22, 2016. The PlayStation 4 Slim was reported by Eurogamer. Leaked or not, Sony is going to announce two new console that lives alongside one another. Console gamers expect to have their gaming console for 5 - 7 years. Now the way we see console generation is changing.

Sony’s first of the two console, set to be announced at The PlayStation Meeting is the PlayStation 4 “NEO”. The NEO is going to exist alongside the original and the slim version of the PlayStation 4. There will be no longer 2 types of consoles in a generation, but three. With Microsoft recently releasing the Xbox One S, and is set to release Project “Scorpio” in 2017. Three seems like the magic number. Former Giant Bomb reporter Austin Walker, reported that the NEO will be an upgrade to the existing PS4.

Reported Specs for Base PS4 vs PS4 NEO


Games that are set to release for PS4 NEO will be able to use the upgraded hardware to increase frame rate and improve graphics. This will allow the console market to compete with the PC market. Another thing the PS4 NEO will have is 4k image output, this means the image will be blown-up from 1080p to 4K (only if you have a 4K TV). One Thing in Austin’s report surprised me was, every game will be playable for both base PS4 and PS4 NEO. There will be no PS4 NEO exclusive games, as well as features. Anyone that owns a PS4 now won’t feel left out. Sony has to make this message clear to players, so no one feels like they are left out.


more information on Austin Walkers report from Giant Bomb
http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/sources-the-upgraded-playstation-4-is-codenamed-ne/1100-5437/


            The second console Sony is set to be announced is the PS4 Slim. Now the slim version of a console has always been within a console generation. Sony shouldn’t even announce the Slim and just release it, because someone already has their hands on the unannounced PS4 Slim. Eurogamer reported that an auction website called Gumtree was auctioning off a PS4 Slim. A reporter from Eurogamer needed to make sure that the PS4 Slim is real, so they went to the buyer. And to their surprise it was the really deal.




PlayStation 4 Slim Vs. PlayStation 4 Base


Eurogamer’s Article on PS4 Slim with photos
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-22-ps4-slim-leaks-online-first-pictures
            


              Sony’s PlayStation Meeting will be an interesting event. It was smart of Sony to setup their own event to announce their new consoles. If they had announced it at E3 with Microsoft’s Project “Scorpio” they would have to share the spotlight with Microsoft. With this event they can focus on the consoles, not worry about the games, or worry about the other publishers. I want to see how the public will handle the announcement of a new, faster, stronger console in the PlayStation 4 family. The PS4 owners now, won’t be left aside for the faster console. It will be the same console, playing the same game, but with improved specs.

            I have my own PS4 that I bought two years ago. It was my first console I bought with my own money. In those two years I played many games of all genre. It was one of my best purchases, because of everything I can do on it, not just play games. For me I think a faster, stronger PS4 was going to happen one way or another. The consoles need too catch-up on technology, to give the best gaming experience on a console.


 Xbox One needed a change, being on the lower end of the console market, this time around they had to apply the changes towards the players. But the PS4 is setting sales records, so it doesn’t make sense that one of the most successful console ever is going to get a stronger, faster hardware upgrade in the same generation. Sony should give the PS4 a couple more years to allow developers to adapt to the infrastructure of the PS4, to get the most out of the PS4.  However Sony or Microsoft plans to roll out their new consoles it’s going to be interesting to see how the world will absorb the announcement of the NEO. Not only will it be interesting, it will be exciting to see how far console gaming has come.

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