What should Sony do for the next Playstation?

[EricHiggin]

curl-6 said:

EricHiggin said:

It would be a change, but I wouldn't call it radical. Cross gen already exists, and between similar enough hardware. Devs are already making games that span 4 systems at a time, again, which are all similar enough hardware.

The main difference really would be marketing, because you'd now have 2 new systems that would likely be weaker than PS5 Pro, but would be considered next gen. Best case the PS6 console would be about equal to PS5 Pro. That would only be a problem for PS6 though because by PS7 you should be beyond PS5 Pro capabilities.

I just can't see the benefit, honestly.

If both PS6's were the same internal hardware, same clocks, then that means only like 2.5 systems to dev for. PS6 would all be identical, and PS5 and PS5 Pro are like 1.5 systems since they're so similar. 

If both PS7's were the same internal hardware, same clocks, then that means only 2 systems to dev for in the future.

With the way prices are now, if SNY stays with the same hardware business model, then cross gen will likely become an even bigger thing. Many gamers are likely going to stay on their PS5's for as long as possible. How many PS5 gamers would transition to the PS6 handheld? How many would be willing to pay $699-$899 for the (high end) console?

If SNY decided to launch a PS6 Lite as well, assuming it's the same internal hardware as the handheld, same clocks, then that's not a problem for devs at all, but it is a burden for SNY if they keep PS5 around, because that's 5 systems to confuse consumers. SNY would almost certainly have to discontinue PS5 and PS5 Pro as soon as next gen started.

If SNY does have 3 SKU's for PS6, then what do they do come mid gen? Launch a PS6 Pro console? Have 4 consoles available at once, or drop the high end PS6 and replace it with the PS6 Pro? When do you launch that Pro console if you're going to, and how long does this gen last, with or without the Pro model?