| SvennoJ said: It was fun to read all the wishful thinking! Will never happen. Why is a console cycle 6 years on average? - The launch price of a console is justified by selling at a profit in the second half of the gen. That's when R&D costs, marketing, etc are made back, and used to fund the next version. - The majority of the user base switches over during the second half of the gen when the machine is cheaper to make, cheaper to afford, and makes a bigger profit. - Developers need to get used to the new hardware, they also need to invest in new game engines, then reap the benefits of experience and bigger margins in the second half of the gen which generates cash for the next transition. Incremental hardware screws up this whole system: - Less profit for the console manufacturer, system prices will need to be higher for all versions. Perhaps not as high as Steam boxes but definitely not $400 at launch. (or weaker hardware, also possible) - Confusion for the customer. The majority of sales happen with the cheaper system (slim version) that can do all the main system can do. Now you have a new system back at launch price and an affordable yet not so attractive lesser system. Not to mention risking pissing off your early adopters. - Developers now need to double the QA process and provide an optimized experience for multiple hardware specs, just as they get comfortable with the current system. What does make sense is a slim ps4 with HDMI 2.0 port and HDR support for movies. A bigger HDD obviously. And maybe a version with dedicated VR port which can be bundled with a VR headset. Eliminating the need for the external box which saves money. |
Yet Nintendo seemed happy with the new 3DS, why is their hardware situation so different? Can we really say less profit for console manufacturers without looking at how this will affect the longevity of the PS4 and overall hardware sales. Increments are certainly cheaper then introducing a whole new generation with a userbase starting from zero.
Also consumers are not that daft, as long as both PS4's play PS4 games, thats what they need to know. If they're budget, they buy the OG PS4, if not they buy the premium one. Again new 3DS went through the exact same hurdle
Also the very same things applied to developers and Motion controls. They'll either get with the program or they will leave it, competition will ensure many at least put a half hearted effort in. Unlike motion controls, higher performance is something many gamers would want. And in any any case the existence of a higher power SKU to QA will not be causing any studio closures or having any significant effect on their bottom line, unlike the introduction of a whole new generation.
It seems strange that people are acting as if this an alien concept that the industry will reject as if the Pc market isn't built on the exact same principles. Consoles will become more and more like Pcs and everyone of the big have hinted at this being the future. I don't think it'll happen this year or even this generation but it will happen.
