By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Gaming - Theory/Prediction: Sony is about to reveal a Portable PS4

 

How Crazy am I?

You are a Gaming Nostrodomus 15 15.96%
 
What medication are you on? 79 84.04%
 
Total:94
HollyGamer on 01 May 2018
KBG29 said:
forevercloud3000 said:

The Switch exists. We are seeing games from PS4 be playable on a fully portable device. The switch isn't even considered the maximum output of what a handheld could be, it's Nintendo playing it safe.

 

Knowing this, why is it so unfathomable for a playstation device with more power, and the backing of a streamlined PS infrastructure to make down port time minimal(think Xbox running Win 10) to exist in a portable capacity? The Switch is proof that the tech exists.

 

Not to mention, none of us fully know the full extent of the tech done in secret. All these companies keep things close to their chest until they are ready for us to know.

You're on point. If PS4 Mobile/Portable is the exact same chipset as the PS4 SS, then it will run everything with zero modification. If the PS4 Mobile/Portable uses the same CPU, but has to sacrifice some GPU power it would require a patch to games, but it would be extremely quick. You are still workng with the same CPU and GPU architecture, and working within Sony's custom API. It is not like porting from PS2 to PS3, or PS3  to PS4, or any combo with Vita. Even building a game for Switch and PS4 requires a massive amount of additional effort, because you have ARM, Nvidia, and two different API's.

Best case scenario, PS4 Mobile/Portable just plays PS4 software with no need for modification. Worst case, you have a similar situation to the PS4 Pro, but it would be even simpler process.

Agree with both of you, many people doubt because it will be like Vita, but in fact it will be more like PS4 pro or slim. It's just a variant of PS4 . It does not need a lot of resource and research . 

In Marketing perspective, PS4 portable will be able to grab some of portable market cake that left from Nintendo. Sony will not aim to be number one at portability but they are are just utilizing tech that  already have and grab some market. 

Typical SONY product these days always cautious with risk and never start a new product that never exist before. They are seeing how switch work on the market, if it's good they will probably join on the fray. 



Around the Network
potato_hamster on 01 May 2018
KBG29 said:
forevercloud3000 said:

The Switch exists. We are seeing games from PS4 be playable on a fully portable device. The switch isn't even considered the maximum output of what a handheld could be, it's Nintendo playing it safe.

 

Knowing this, why is it so unfathomable for a playstation device with more power, and the backing of a streamlined PS infrastructure to make down port time minimal(think Xbox running Win 10) to exist in a portable capacity? The Switch is proof that the tech exists.

 

Not to mention, none of us fully know the full extent of the tech done in secret. All these companies keep things close to their chest until they are ready for us to know.

You're on point. If PS4 Mobile/Portable is the exact same chipset as the PS4 SS, then it will run everything with zero modification. If the PS4 Mobile/Portable uses the same CPU, but has to sacrifice some GPU power it would require a patch to games, but it would be extremely quick. You are still workng with the same CPU and GPU architecture, and working within Sony's custom API. It is not like porting from PS2 to PS3, or PS3  to PS4, or any combo with Vita. Even building a game for Switch and PS4 requires a massive amount of additional effort, because you have ARM, Nvidia, and two different API's.

Best case scenario, PS4 Mobile/Portable just plays PS4 software with no need for modification. Worst case, you have a similar situation to the PS4 Pro, but it would be even simpler process.


This is completely nonsensical.



EricHiggin on 01 May 2018

Whether or not PS even wants to try this themselves, or has the dev backing based on whatever the hardware and software would comprise of, which is also questionable based on what would be expected by consumers, I can see two ways PS markets their future systems in terms of pricing if this actually happens.

Assuming a holiday 2018 release:

1. PS4 SS - $199, PS4P $299, Pro S $399.
2. PS4 SS - $299, PS4P $399, Pro II $499.

PS4P wouldn't have to compete directly on price with Switch, as long as it's an overall reasonable price in general, as well as based on it's hardware performance and it's games library.

In option 2, base PS4 would be the only model to have cheaper holiday sales pricing, with a potential permanent drop to $249 or even $199 earlier in 2019.

(I didn't go with $?49 pricing because PS seems to like to launch new/upgraded products at $?99 pricing)



PS1   - ! - We must build a console that can alert our enemies.

PS2  - @- We must build a console that offers online living room gaming.

PS3   - #- We must build a console that’s powerful, social, costs and does everything.

PS4   - $- We must build a console that’s affordable, charges for services, and pumps out exclusives.

PRO  -%-We must build a console that's VR ready, checkerboard upscales, and sells but a fraction of the money printer.

PS5   - ^ -We must build a console that’s a generational cross product, with RT lighting, and price hiking.

PRO  -&- We must build a console that Super Res upscales and continues the cost increases.

caffeinade on 01 May 2018
Pemalite said:
forevercloud3000 said:

I think you all are also putting too much emphasis on battery life. We know the tech for batteries has stagnated but that hasn't stopped the drive for portable devices. The Switch battery life is like 3hrs....maybe. I have never had a laptop that could actually stay on for more than 45mins not plugged.

We are always near a power outlet in this day and age. My phone is virtually always plugged in.

The Switch isn't using the latest and greatest of battery technology anyway, there is allot of room for improvement in that regard.
In-fact the Switch isn't using the latest and greatest of anything, except for probably some of the tech in the Joycons.

As for laptops, clearly you have chosen the incorrect device. My notebooks tend to last 10+ hours on a single charge.

Switch (HD Rumble):
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+Switch+Teardown/78263#s156854

 

Steam Controller:


Apparently the Oculus Rift and Vive controllers use a similar motor too.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC+Vive+Teardown/62213#s130852

Last edited by caffeinade - on 01 May 2018

HoangNhatAnh on 02 May 2018
forevercloud3000 said:

I think you all are also putting too much emphasis on battery life. We know the tech for batteries has stagnated but that hasn't stopped the drive for portable devices. The Switch battery life is like 3hrs....maybe. I have never had a laptop that could actually stay on for more than 45mins not plugged.

We are always near a power outlet in this day and age. My phone is virtually always plugged in.

Switch is 3 hours for AAA games, now for a portable that can play PS4 game like Horizon Zero Dawn, how long it will get? 1 hour? Yeah, sound good for anyone who purchase it. How big it is for a system like that? None chip that is much stronger than Tegra X1 while being very small has existed yet, what is the price for a handheld that can play Horizon? What Sony game that are suitable for portable and make big impact for children/casual gamers like Pokemon/Animal Crossing?



Around the Network
HoangNhatAnh on 02 May 2018
contestgamer said:
HoangNhatAnh said:

So how big is the form factor? How long the battery will last with such power? How is it cost? What game can drive it’s sales like Pokemon/Animal Crossing and all games for children market?  

Children market. lol We dont need the childrens market.

So otaku market like Vita? Sound great



HoangNhatAnh on 02 May 2018
forevercloud3000 said:
potato_hamster said:

Learn how console video game development works. One of the main reasons the Vita failed was because of how difficult it was to port PS3 games to it. It was supposed to be a portable PS3 that ended up playing Borderlands 2 at barely over 20 fps average. What are these magical "fancy tech algorithms" you speak of., because my team and the techs Sony sent to help with our PS3 game port to Vita certainly didn't have access to them at the time.

Please don't take my word for it. Just read through this article, and ask yourself how any of those points brought up about the port can possibly exist with "fancy tech algorithms" that apparently perform magic.

https://kotaku.com/borderlands-2-on-vita-is-the-worst-version-of-a-good-g-1575209477

The Switch exists. We are seeing games from PS4 be playable on a fully portable device. The switch isn't even considered the maximum output of what a handheld could be, it's Nintendo playing it safe.

 

Knowing this, why is it so unfathomable for a playstation device with more power, and the backing of a streamlined PS infrastructure to make down port time minimal(think Xbox running Win 10) to exist in a portable capacity? The Switch is proof that the tech exists.

 

Not to mention, none of us fully know the full extent of the tech done in secret. All these companies keep things close to their chest until they are ready for us to know.

Yeah, expect anything like Horizon Zero Dawn or Uncharted 4 run on thing like Switch is delusional. Switch in fact cost $300 and use small chip thank to Nvidia, how big ps4 portable is? How much it cost? What company outside Nvidia will make a chip that is stronger than Tegra while keep being small as Tegra? PS4 AAA games can be very big, 60 GB or even more, digital only, absolutely best choice ever. How big is the battery to last 4 hours or more when run game like The Witcher 3? What franchise will drive ps4 portable sales? AAA games only? For a handheld, the most suitable to it is games that attract many children or casuals, not cinematic game that last barely 1 hour on ps4 portable



caffeinade on 02 May 2018
HoangNhatAnh said:
forevercloud3000 said:

I think you all are also putting too much emphasis on battery life. We know the tech for batteries has stagnated but that hasn't stopped the drive for portable devices. The Switch battery life is like 3hrs....maybe. I have never had a laptop that could actually stay on for more than 45mins not plugged.

We are always near a power outlet in this day and age. My phone is virtually always plugged in.

Switch is 3 hours for AAA games, now for a portable that can play PS4 game like Horizon Zero Dawn, how long it will get? 1 hour? Yeah, sound good for anyone who purchase it. How big it is for a system like that? None chip that is much stronger than Tegra X1 while being very small has existed yet, what is the price for a handheld that can play Horizon? What Sony game that are suitable for portable and make big impact for children/casual gamers like Pokemon/Animal Crossing?

The Tegra X2 is massively more powerful, and massively more efficient than the Switch's SoC.
The Tegra X2 is getting pretty old now.
If Sony asked, they could get Nvidia to shrink the TX2 down to 12nm, or just wait until Nividia is willing to sell their next generation of gaming GPUs.

The Tegra X2 has been inside mass market devices (cars) since 2016.

Last edited by caffeinade - on 02 May 2018

HollyGamer on 02 May 2018
twintail said:
HollyGamer said:

Agree with both of you, many people doubt because it will be like Vita, but in fact it will be more like PS4 pro or slim. It's just a variant of PS4 . It does not need a lot of resource and research . 

In Marketing perspective, PS4 portable will be able to grab some of portable market cake that left from Nintendo. Sony will not aim to be number one at portability but they are are just utilizing tech that  already have and grab some market. 

Typical SONY product these days always cautious with risk and never start a new product that never exist before. They are seeing how switch work on the market, if it's good they will probably join on the fray. 

This is nonsense. A portable PS4 doesn't require a lot of resources and research? You think taking a PS4 and throwing into an encasing the size of a Switch is just as simple as moving parts? There are so many factors that need to be considered: how much smaller can the internals be made, the fan/ cooling system needed/ the impact on battery life/ the controls (light bar, touch pad for example) the addition of a screen.

The resources to do all of this is a lot.

And research too... Sony arent going to put the money into making and advertising a portable PS4 without research. If the Switch is reaching an audience that the current PS4 models arent reaching, then the PS4 portable makes sense. If its the same audience, then it can easily be a money sink. Likewise, if the Switch reaches a different audience, is that audience merely Nintendo-based or open to any platform/ software? If its the former, then thats another problem.

Basically, its not a trivial matter. They arent going to jump on board this bandwagon if the extensive research doesnt prove that it wlil increase their userbase. If a portable PS4 is just going to hit the same users they already have then its a waste of time and resources, because they already have those users, and the money in the PS brand is from subscriptions and digital revenue, not from the hardware itself.

It will not require A  " LOT " OF RESEARCH, but it's still required a research. And it will not crippled SONY  focusing on PS5 , PS4 and PSVR. In fact they already have the market, the foundation and the experience, and they also can learn from their competitor.

The problem is, PS4 owner are interested in Switch as well, and future PS4 owner are competing with Switch. There is so much untapped market on dedicated portability.  

And market share already exist created by Nintendo, by PS Vita fans and PSP ex owner . SONY had already begun the marketing research as we discussing (for PS5) and they might have some clue of what market trend is. They also see at their competitor like Nintendo and their current stand on the market. 

I am never say they will make one, but from business perspective , why not? They have PS4 market already , they have the tech, and  market share is exist. SONY also still rolling with their money and revenue, and many of their investor will agree with them,  if they want to add one more product and probability.

Even if PS4 portable are not going to increase PS4 user base , future potential consumer who interested in Switch portability  but like PS4 games and casual gamer who are not sure for brand recognition  will have a chance to buy portable PS4. 

Last edited by HollyGamer - on 02 May 2018

zorg1000 on 02 May 2018
potato_hamster said:
forevercloud3000 said:

The Switch exists. We are seeing games from PS4 be playable on a fully portable device. The switch isn't even considered the maximum output of what a handheld could be, it's Nintendo playing it safe.

 

Knowing this, why is it so unfathomable for a playstation device with more power, and the backing of a streamlined PS infrastructure to make down port time minimal(think Xbox running Win 10) to exist in a portable capacity? The Switch is proof that the tech exists.

 

Not to mention, none of us fully know the full extent of the tech done in secret. All these companies keep things close to their chest until they are ready for us to know.


Yeah, the Switch exists. And? How are those PS4/X1 ports doing on it? Just a simple recompile after some slider adjustments? Couple weeks work maybe?

Nope. Not one bit. See porting to the Switch is actually more of the same. While developers using Unity will have an easier time (at a performance cost) PS4/X1 games generally are ported to Switch using the same concepts that PS3/X360 games were ported to Vita - adapting/replacing the engine until the it loads the game without crashing, reworking/downscaling all of the assets, simplfying models/rigging/animations, possibly downsampling the audio, rinse/repeat until you get something playable, then optimize/bug fix/add console-specific features until you go gold. This requires months of works and teams of professionals. This is not arbitrary. This is not easy. This costs real money.

Sony cannot have such a solution for a "portable PS4", can they? So, how does Switch prove anything again?

If you want to assume that there's some magic algorithms out there that are capable of doing this, be my guest, but at least be honest that it's little more than wishful thinking. And No, Microsoft's UWP doesn't actually apply to this at all . Please go and check it out, learn about how it truly works, and how that isn't going to help Sony make a portable PS4 at all. (I'll give you a hint: the minimum requirements of the PC games made under UWP aren't lower than the XBox One's specs for a reason).

Ya i cant see a "PS4 Portable" being any different than PSP/Vita.

PSP released 2 years before PS3 and was less powerful than PS2.

Vita released 2 years before PS4 and was less powerful than PS3.

PS4P would release ~2 years before PS5 and be less powerful than PS4.

 

Its not like you can just take the tech of PS4 and cram it into a $300 handheld device so a theoretical PS4P would be more like a PSP3.



When the herd loses its way, the shepard must kill the bull that leads them astray.