XboxEra Community Hangout |OT13| The Bakers Dozen

[Mort]

@Widey85

Yep that Last of Us comparison, the Fidelity mode on the base PS5 looks better to me - the grass etc, ok maybe the backpack looks better on the Pro.

The only difference is the Pro is 60FPS, the base Fidelity mode is 30FPS.

But that means there’s still some sacrifices to reach 60FPS, so it’s not purely “graphics mode at 60FPS” - and for someone like me who was tempted by a Pro (given I’ve no PS5) but can’t see the difference between 30FPS and 60, it feels like a massive waste of money, particularly if they don’t offer improved Fidelity modes on all games in addition to better Performance

But… that leaf in the top right corner far away in the distance looks better if you pause and zoom in!

[Kals_Els]

@Widey85

Apparently even the download for existing owners option was finally removed from that store.

Also they claim it can’t happen much on Steam but I’ve a load of old Settlers games that were completely removed from Steam so I can’t redownload them despite owning them.

Note to self, get more space and download all 800+ games I own.

[Hue]

@peter42O

Personally, the entire debate/argument around PS5 Pro is fucking stupid.

Did people really expect it to be $500 or some shit? Even $600 more than anything was wishful thinking. PC IS more expensive but you get better shit and that better shit doesn’t come cheap.

I think the issue not just the price, but the overall package.

If they come out at the same price point and it was a huge upgrade in everyway people would not be disappointed.

Instead the ‘upgrade’ appeared to be so negligible that it was virtually impossible to tell the difference, that or PlayStation just did a really poor job at displaying the visual differences.

Combine that disappointment with the fact that they removed the physical drive and that they couldn’t include a stand (which realistically only costs them a few bucks to mass-produce) and your left confused with the value proposition.

The other factor to consider is that we aren’t too far away from a new console generation. Xbox have already stated they will be revealing their new hardware this holiday for a likely release in 2025/26. Therefore why spend $700 now when the upgrade is barely noticeable and it will be out of date almost immediately?

[Staffy]

Saw a tweet today by that Kloot account, and he said the person who “leaked” that Indy was a timed exclusive and something else had said MS is aiming for 600 dollars for next Xbox.

I doubt this person knows anything, I think anyone could have made that guess about Indy ever since Xbox’s multiplatform approach.

But 600 bucks would probably mean 700 euros here, it’s a lot of money, but it’s better than 800,lol. Would you be OK with 600 bucks/700 euros?

[Matthew]

Kinda switched off from gaming news because of the negative cycle. Anyway I got back on Starfield and yeah - thats a damn good game.

[pg2g]

@Staffy

Saw a tweet today by that Kloot account, and he said the person who “leaked” that Indy was a timed exclusive and something else had said MS is aiming for 600 dollars for next Xbox.

I doubt this person knows anything, I think anyone could have made that guess about Indy ever since Xbox’s multiplatform approach.

But 600 bucks would probably mean 700 euros here, it’s a lot of money, but it’s better than 800,lol. Would you be OK with 600 bucks/700 euros?

$600 probably the bare minimum we can expect for next gen.

Well, I won’t say bare minimum. I do think anything beyond that goes beyond mass market pricing. I think they’ll have to compromise on horsepower to hit 600.

[Matthew]

@Staffy

Saw a tweet today by that Kloot account, and he said the person who “leaked” that Indy was a timed exclusive and something else had said MS is aiming for 600 dollars for next Xbox.

I doubt this person knows anything, I think anyone could have made that guess about Indy ever since Xbox’s multiplatform approach.

But 600 bucks would probably mean 700 euros here, it’s a lot of money, but it’s better than 800,lol. Would you be OK with 600 bucks/700 euros?

I personally think we are near a point where the whole generations thing will stop to matter. Its becoming less and less noticeable.

What appeals to me more with next gen is versatility in how I play. I really want a handheld so I can fit the hobby better into my life

[SheepDip]

@Staffy

Would you be OK with 600 bucks/700 euros?

At that price I’ll be holding on to my Xbox Series X for as long as possible and hoping for an extended cross gen period.

[CallMeCraig]

@KakkaKarrotKake

Besides, the entire point of consoles is to have a relatively low cost entry to games, once you start reaching these prices you lose your main point of existing

but thats the point. the low entry cost is rising because chip manufacturing is getting more and more expensive. nothing microsoft or sony can do about it. there are just physical limitations.

[pg2g]

@CallMeCraig

but thats the point. the low entry cost is rising because chip manufacturing is getting more and more expensive. nothing microsoft or sony can do about it. there are just physical limitations.

They can build whatever console fits a mass market price range and not chase massive power boosts. Not like game development can keep up.

[Widey85]

There’s a lot of work being done on new types of battery, new types of circuit boards and new materials etc - really hoping some are successful and help to bring down chip costs at some point.

I know it won’t help next gen or possibly even the generation after, but given how much of our world (and possible future awesome inventions) relies on chips we really need some geniuses to help make sure it doesn’t end up just being the domain of the rich…

(Naive I know lol)

Stuff like this gives me hope:

https://www.ft.com/content/2643ed31-8b8c-4d3d-a7a8-c4383d06e8a6

[peter42O]

@pg2g

I think for a lot of people it represents a future where they are completely priced out of console gaming, especially without future price drops being a thing.

I understand why people are worried and it just makes the case that Microsoft’s Xbox Series strategy should be the standard going forward.

I don’t see Microsoft doing the same thing again or at least not in the same way. I do believe that they’re developing an Xbox Portable which would be smart for certain regions like Japan, China, etc. but this would be their equivalent of an Xbox Series S.

I would love to see the Xbox Portable with an HDMI OUT port so you can connect it to a 4KTV but obviously, due to the specs of the Portable, it wouldn’t be at the level of the console. Would also love to see an Ethernet port so I download games faster and directly to the SSD. If it’s streaming only, im not sure how well that would do compared to digital downloads AND streaming. Wired and wireless.

@Widey85

If Xbox has a hybrid next gen I’d happily pay a lot for it, as it’s OK it getting closer to PC costs if it’s going to give a similar experience.

The base models would need to be lower though yes - and if Sony stick to one model at release and a later Pro, their initial model has to be under $600 else it’ll sell like crap.

The whales would buy it, but it would struggle to take market share from the PS4 and PS5, resulting in games being cross-gen for even longer and thus giving casual players even less reason to upgrade…

I think BOTH do a portable at $500 and a console at $800. We’ll see what happens but im not expecting $500 or less for the console because PS5 Pro is $500 with a better GPU and an extra 1TB of storage space but that excludes a new CPU and more RAM which the next gen consoles will have. Only time will tell.

@Mort

I did not expect $500 but I certainly did not expect close to $900 for a digital version, no.

This reminds me…I expect both consoles from Sony and Microsoft to be digital only. No disc drive option or anything. They both want digital as do the publishers. Sony is at 80% digital through June 30th 2024 and by PS6, could be around 95% digital. People say Xbox has a digital ratio which if true, we know where both are going.

@Hue

I think the issue not just the price, but the overall package.

If they come out at the same price point and it was a huge upgrade in everyway people would not be disappointed.

Instead the ‘upgrade’ appeared to be so negligible that it was virtually impossible to tell the difference, that or PlayStation just did a really poor job at displaying the visual differences.

Combine that disappointment with the fact that they removed the physical drive and that they couldn’t include a stand (which realistically only costs them a few bucks to mass-produce) and your left confused with the value proposition.

The other factor to consider is that we aren’t too far away from a new console generation. Xbox have already stated they will be revealing their new hardware this holiday for a likely release in 2025/26. Therefore why spend $700 now when the upgrade is barely noticeable and it will be out of date almost immediately?

I agree completely but at the same time, the Pro isn’t meant for casuals or those who barely plays many games in a year. It’s for the hardcore fans of PlayStation. My friend already bought the disc drive. He’s been a fan since day one. He spent over $1000 on his PS5 via Ebay because he couldn’t get one and he didn’t want to wait.

If State of Play somehow showcases Tsushima 2 or something NEW, then I think the conversation will change a little.

I hope Microsoft doesn’t announce their new hardware until June 2026 for a Fall 2026 release because unless it’s a done deal getting Steam/Epic, I don’t want to be “teased” but yet, not pleased because I would have to wait two more years.

@Matthew

Kinda switched off from gaming news because of the negative cycle. Anyway I got back on Starfield and yeah - thats a damn good game.

Love Starfield!! Start my vacation in two weeks from today and I will wrap up the base game, go through that new Creation BGS released along side the Rev-8 and then, it’s Shattered Space time!!

[CallMeCraig]

@pg2g

They can build whatever console fits a mass market price range and not chase massive power boosts. Not like game development can keep up.

They can. But will they?

We have seen the insane outrage about the Series S. Imagine if Sony and Microsoft only produce a Nintendo like ‘underpowered’ machine for next gen.

[pg2g]

@CallMeCraig

They can. But will they?

We have seen the insane outrage about the Series S. Imagine if Sony and Microsoft only produce a Nintendo like ‘underpowered’ machine for next gen.

Beginning to think that, alongside reigning in game scope and development budgets, is what is necessary to preserve the industry.

[BadNews]

@pg2g

$600 probably the bare minimum we can expect for next gen.

Well, I won’t say bare minimum. I do think anything beyond that goes beyond mass market pricing. I think they’ll have to compromise on horsepower to hit 600.

yeah, with components not going down in price it seems $599 will be the cost for PS6 and next xbox. I wonder if Microsoft attempts a series s agian, but I am leaning towards they won’t.

[Staffy]

I didn’t know New World was coming to Xbox.

My buddy just sent me a picture that he’s installing the open beta. Any good?

[Mort]

@pg2g

Beginning to think that, alongside reigning in game scope and development budgets, is what is necessary to preserve the industry.

I think so too. As a backlogger I play games from 10-15 years ago which are still great, there’s no need to simulate individual nostril hairs and RT them. It’s just silly to waste resources, time and money, on such things.

Make good, affordable hardware and great games.

[KakkaKarrotKake]

@CallMeCraig

but thats the point. the low entry cost is rising because chip manufacturing is getting more and more expensive. nothing microsoft or sony can do about it. there are just physical limitations.

and if that is indeed the case then they have two choices

Put out tech that isn’t as advanced so they can keep costs down or start bringing their games to as many platforms as possible

Because as soon as they go down the path of consoles being $600 and beyond, hardware sales are inevitably going to get less and less going forward

@CallMeCraig

They can. But will they?

We have seen the insane outrage about the Series S. Imagine if Sony and Microsoft only produce a Nintendo like ‘underpowered’ machine for next gen.

Well they have two choices, either accept these insane $700+ prices like the PS5 Pro or accept that in order for prices to be acceptable, concessions need to be made and that chasing endless power comes at to much of a cost

[CallMeCraig]

@KakkaKarrotKake

Well they have two choices, either accept these insane $700+ prices like the PS5 Pro or accept that in order for prices to be acceptable, concessions need to be made and that chasing endless power comes at to much of a cost

or they could find another selling point

[pg2g]

@CallMeCraig

or they could find another selling point

Like what? Think gaming has reached market maturity short of something like VR/AR.