Nah, I'm from the group that thinks PS3 level graphics are good enough when done with interesting art styles (like most Nintendo games). PS4 graphics are unnecessary, can not tell much difference, and PS5 even less so for me.

But I wasn't talking about graphics here. My issue with PS5 is that it doesn't have a lot of new, exclusive, AAA, full fledged games announced.

I guess they may as well just get the Series S at launch then and save themselves some cash. Icing is expensive.

Wow! Finally something we agree on :) The games themselves need to impress and not the benchmarks as most people won't know or care if a game is running in 1440p or 4k.

Many people seem to think its a good idea to give us options in next gen games. Like a performance mode with higher fps and visuals mode with better graphics settings. But there's a big difference between graphics settings and overall next gen graphics. Higher graphics settings is just some icing on the cake that doesn't have a real impact on how the game plays, its more like a toggle on/off slider like we're seeing on pc and mid-gen consoles. Overall visual fidelity is more about pushing a console to its limits while trying to get the best visuals on screen. For example, HZD2 now seems to have cloud and storm formations that aren't just there for eye candy, they play a role in the story and isn't something you can just toggle on or off. Same thing with physics, ai, npc count, dynamic day and night cycles and overall world/level design.

Whether you were impressed with Sony's event or not, they did show next gen games that are using the extra horse power not just for a bump in resolution/fps and graphics settings, but for core gameplay mechanics like the portal jumping in Ratchet & Clank, seamless underwater locations in HZD2 etc. Those are the things that set next gen console games apart from pc games at ultra settings and that's what MS should be showing in July.   

Oh, and here is the quote from Phil saying that improved framerates and input lag are the major differences between current- and next gen... If what he says is true, then that is depressing... The weird thing is that Sony's been telling us a totally different story. They're talking about one of the biggest generational leaps in gaming history where we'll see richer, more life-like worlds and a complete change in level design and how we move around in them... And they've already showed us glimpses of things that weren't possible before on current gen.

"I think we're at a point now -- with immersion, with the tools we have and the compute capability -- that the deltas will be smaller from a visual impact, or that feature X was never possible before and now it is. And that might sound depressing to some, but what I would say is the advantage side of what I'm seeing now is really the immersive nature of the content that's getting created."

Spencer said that the benefits will be felt most clearly in the mitigation of long load times and low or inconsistent frame rates that he believes hurt player immersion.

"We're able to get to almost lifelike graphics today, even on current gen in certain instances," Spencer said. "But when you take that and you mix it with a very high frame rate, solid frame rate, very little latency in input, and the ability for game storytellers to really push the emotion and the story they're trying to get through their game, through the screen, through the controller and into you? That is something I'm feeling in the games now that is a dramatic step up.

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-06-24-xbox-series-x-difference-will-be-immersion-more-than-visuals-spencer-says

WRONG=> never ever did he mention that is the only improvement, its the one most clearly felt... stop cherrypicking quotes otherwise im forced to go supporter and ignore all your comments from now on

Ideally all games should be 60fps even if they have to make some visual sacrifice. 30fps is so jarring compared to 60 it hurts the visuals a bit anyway. Damn shame if AC Valhalla will be 30fps ffs.. At least it's tolerable on 3rd person adventure games I guess.

I’m utterly shocked that gooper cherry picked a quote and twisted it to suit his agenda of the day. Never thought I’d see it.

The only “next gen” elements I saw was from HZD and Ratchet. The weather systems and the portal loading. The rest just looked like a bump up in graphics but could otherwise be possible on current gen from a design perspective.  

It would be hasty to judge MS based on their May show and before their July one. But I will say Flight Simulator 2020 is the most next gen game I’ve seen so far. Doesn’t matter if it’s something you want. 1:1 scale of Earth with near photo realism which in itself is mind blowing. But it’s the weather that truly takes me back. The storms, cloud formations, wind impact, the sun...I was shocked seeing the capabilities. No way Xbox One can do that. 

Point being you put too much stock in doubting MS. I’ll leave these links here. 

https://youtu.be/EmxFSzeJVec

https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1277734393868701701?s=21

And Phil’s quotes were as I thought taken out of context. The average gamer will notice the load times compared to this gen. Load times can be brutal. Also the frustration when a game has a ton of action on screen and the game drops resolution to compensate to the point average gamers notice. Same scenario where the frame rate drops to a noticeable dip. Next gen will eliminate those common everyday problems gamers experience.

And that is what Phil meant by the quote.

Of course it is one sided. Sony doesn't had the urge to claim the games show in May would show on Playstation or need to rob spotlight from MS.