What should Sony do for the next Playstation?

[EricHiggin]

TeachMeHisty said:

Maybe they should start by improving the system in a way that development time can be shortened. I dont need more power personally. The PS5 has yet to prove its worth in my opinion and probably should remain the current system for the next 8+ years.
There's no need to chase better visuals. Cutting cost - for everyone - should be the focus for the time coming.

This was supposedly a big part of why the PS4 ended up becoming what it was during its development. So many things could be more efficient. Many more games in a generation. Games with better graphics early on in the gen. Games who's prices didn't need to increase (much). Semi custom hardware that could remain cheap instead of heavily customized hardware that's expensive. etc.

Now with PS5, even though it's basically followed the same general game plan, isn't delivering in the same manner. This is because PS4 didn't have to deal with many of the issues or benefits PS5 has. Like pandemic related hardware shortages, out of control scalpers, out of control inflation, tariffs, focus on GAAS, lack of competition from XB, etc.

As for the cost of games increasing so much, that I don't really understand. Sure they would get more expensive due to natural inflation, but some of the numbers as to dev costs now are beyond ridiculous and really don't make a lot of sense. Unless this is a difference between single player campaign type games vs GAAS games and how much they cost to build and maintain, otherwise why all the sudden such a massive increase? Are the graphics and game worlds getting that much better and larger that it justifies that extra cost?

I'd personally like to see SNY change it's, 'make the very best game you can' and 'try and outdo each other' mindset and approach, and focus on making maybe 1 AAAA blockbuster every 2 years, while having the rest be PS4 AAA or PS4 AA quality. Not only will that allow for more games to be made, but the prices can remain reasonable, and as along as the games are well done with good mechanics and strong stories, etc, they will sell plenty well enough even though they don't have the best graphics you've ever seen.