Rumor: Possible Playstation 4 Specs Leaked?

[DoctorFinger]

It's a future hardware speculation-a-rama here on Colony of Gamers. And this time, it's Sony's turn. Developer and publishers have apparently been sent very rough preliminary specs for the Playstation 4, and those specs have found their way onto the internet.

The specs of the system won't surprise anyone too much. Once again the system will be centered around Sony's proprietary multi-core CELL processor. This is great news for developers, who this time around won't have to learn an entirely new architecture from the ground up. Sony also wants to have the system out for 2011, which they believe would get them to market ahead of Microsoft's successor to the Xbox 360.

Slightly more interesting is Sony's desire to emulate one major aspect of the Wii's success and look to keep manufacturing costs low. That means that this version of the PS4 would 'only' have roughly double the power of the current PS3 hardware. Which, when combined with the familiarity developers already have with the CELL, should still mean a significant jump in the graphical department.

Once again, this is an unconfirmed leak, so take it with a grain of salt. But if true it means Sony is clearly learning from the mistakes it made this generation with the launch of the Playstation 3.

Sources - Impress (http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2008/0929/kaigai469.htm) (link to translated version (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2008/0929/kaigai469.htm&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=auto&tl=en)); PC World (http://blogs.pcworld.com/gameon/archives/007835.html).

[Purple Santa]

2011? My first thought was it would cannibalize their PS3 console (despite the lower than expected sales) however on second thought...3 years would be long enough for the "must have one at launch" crowd to willingly buy another console. I'm believing there is some truth to this rumor. This is exactly what Sony needs to do. If this is true...and can pull that off...I can't believe we are already seriously discussing "next" generation already. I felt I was just getting excited about THESE consoles...damn you time...move to fast...

[NoName]

There was already another thread talking about Nintendo's next console in 2011. I guess that's going to be a busy year for consoles.

I highly question whether I'll get the next PS console. Right now I own all three consoles and my Wii gets more use than my PS3...

[LarsenNET]

I thought Sony was on the 10 year plan?

[Purple Santa]

I thought Sony was on the 10 year plan?

Not if they want to stay in the console hardware market. Which they obviously want to. It's nice rhetoric that 10 yr plan...always was...but it's always fun to beat a company with their own "ideas" ;)

[Goronmon]

I thought Sony was on the 10 year plan?Just like the Playstation 2 is still supported somewhat, I doubt the PS3 is going to be tossed to the wayside immediately upon the release of the PS4.

[Gorvi]

I'd bet 2011 is when we'll see the next version of all 3 consoles. I think I'm only sticking with one next time around, owning all 3 just means I never get around to playing all the games I want on these systems.

[LarsenNET]

I'd bet 2011 is when we'll see the next version of all 3 consoles. I think I'm only sticking with one next time around, owning all 3 just means I never get around to playing all the games I want on these systems.

I was planning on doing that this generation but I couldn't help it, had to have all 3 because of exclusives. Next time I'm not going to kid myself, I'll get them as soon as I can without paying a premium.

[DoctorFinger]

I thought Sony was on the 10 year plan?Just because they plan on supporting one console for a decade doesn't mean they can't put another out before then. I'd bet a lot that they'll still be making at least some PS3 games in 2015.

[Gorvi]

I was planning on doing that this generation but I couldn't help it, had to have all 3 because of exclusives. Next time I'm not going to kid myself, I'll get them as soon as I can without paying a premium.
If I didn't have kids, I'd still do that. Thing is, once you've got the little ones running around and a house to take care of, it's tough enough as it is playing the games you want on one console, let alone all 3.

[Commissar Rob]

So 2011 will put them ahead of Microsoft? I'd thought I'd read somewhere or another that Microsoft was moving pretty quickly towards putting the 360 behind them...

I'd like to think I'd only stick with one console, but it's not going to happen. Oh well, I don't smoke...I only drink rarely...so videogames can continue to be my guilty expense.

[SPBTooL]

So 2011 will put them ahead of Microsoft? I'd thought I'd read somewhere or another that Microsoft was moving pretty quickly towards putting the 360 behind them...

I'd like to think I'd only stick with one console, but it's not going to happen. Oh well, I don't smoke...I only drink rarely...so videogames can continue to be my guilty expense.
You can bet that MS started thinking and researching the next box as soon as the 360 was done. That is where most of the rumors have come from. But there has not been as much real evidence of it as this is with the PS4. For many, 2011 has been the assumed date for MS's next box.

[Crowe]

I can't put my finger on it but this generation of consoles seems lacklustre. I have a 360, but whenever I have the motivation to play and I go to rent a game out, it seems like there is nothing there to catch my eye. And when I do chose something I just can't seem to find the magic like I used too. Last gen I had an awesome time on the original Xbox and I played more PS2 than I care remember at my mates house.

I enjoyed playing Gears of War, Mass Effect, Viva Pinata, Halo 3 and one or two more. But that's not many, and it looks like its the same over on PS3.

I really hope they focus less on toting their graphics and hardware because I really think I could get more out of the PS2 I've had since last December. It says something when I'm walking past 360 games at the rental store and checking out the PS2 games instead.

Have games been getting overhyped a little too much this generation? Has there been too much of a focus on Graphics, Physics and all the other mumbo jumbo? There have been some gems for sure, but it feels like there should be more. I keep waiting for a couple of sleeper hits but they just dont seem to be coming.

[mightbe]

Cell?

Really?

Can't you guys suck it up and go with something cheap and easy to push code for like an AMD/ATI setup?

[mightbe]

So 2011 will put them ahead of Microsoft? I'd thought I'd read somewhere or another that Microsoft was moving pretty quickly towards putting the 360 behind them...

I'd like to think I'd only stick with one console, but it's not going to happen. Oh well, I don't smoke...I only drink rarely...so videogames can continue to be my guilty expense.

I think microsoft really liked punching first this generation so I can seem them keeping something close by and easy to produce then pulling the trigger to beat Sony to it.

[mightbe]

I thought Sony was on the 10 year plan?

Sure, but there were fuck all decent games for the PS3 year one.

Not that there were a ton for X360, but it came first.

[mightbe]

Once again, this is an unconfirmed leak, so take it with a grain of salt. But if true it means Sony is clearly learning from the mistakes it made this generation with the launch of the Playstation 3.
According to the folks I know in game dev, their biggest mistake was the use of a platform that it's time consuming and often painful to port code to.

The X360 by comparison, is an easy whore to please for multi-platform love.

[Gorvi]

I can't put my finger on it but this generation of consoles seems lacklustre. I have a 360, but whenever I have the motivation to play and I go to rent a game out, it seems like there is nothing there to catch my eye. And when I do chose something I just can't seem to find the magic like I used too. Last gen I had an awesome time on the original Xbox and I played more PS2 than I care remember at my mates house.

I enjoyed playing Gears of War, Mass Effect, Viva Pinata, Halo 3 and one or two more. But that's not many, and it looks like its the same over on PS3.

I really hope they focus less on toting their graphics and hardware because I really think I could get more out of the PS2 I've had since last December. It says something when I'm walking past 360 games at the rental store and checking out the PS2 games instead.

Have games been getting overhyped a little too much this generation? Has there been too much of a focus on Graphics, Physics and all the other mumbo jumbo? There have been some gems for sure, but it feels like there should be more. I keep waiting for a couple of sleeper hits but they just dont seem to be coming.
I agree 170%. This gen is a pale shadow to what we had last gen, even more so when you include the Dreamcast. The only way this gen is any better is if you're a big fan of online multiplayer, because in every other way, it's by far inferior.

[Crowe]

I agree 170%. This gen is a pale shadow to what we had last gen, even more so when you include the Dreamcast. The only way this gen is any better is if you're a big fan of online multiplayer, because in every other way, it's by far inferior.

I'm glad i'm not the only one. I pondered on it some more and thought it might also have been because I haven't really played that many games. But after even more pondering I realised I have played a lot more than I thought and yeah, it hasn't been the experience I thought it would be.

But even the big games. GTA IV, I've passed it once and I dont feel like going back. Instead I've been playing San Andreas again. I just played through both KOTOR's again on PC (Originally played on Xbox), there is Mass Effect though so that makes up for it. Maybe too many franchises got milked last gen, Splinter Cell was insane last gen, and this Gen it was a flipping disaster. I loved most of the Need For Speed games, and look whats happened to that series this year.

But then there's the new games, Force Unleashed, Assassin's Creed, Kane and Lynch, wheres the meat??? I'm not seeing it this time around. Assasin's Creed could have been so much, and for the 3 days I played it I got a kick out of running over buildings, but where was the substance. Kane and Lynch was hyped and looked good, but god damn it was boring, Freedom Fighters would eat it for breakfast but I doubt it would like the taste.

Fable 2 is going to be a shining ray of light for my 360 this month, its going to be like old times again. Sitting down and just losing myself to a game I enjoy.

So yeah, maybe last generation was a little too good, franchises being milked a little too dry and it left people wanting more this time around.

[Crowe]

I seriously hope there is change of focus next generation to gameplay over everything else. Graphics are nice, and physics can be fun, but alone and together they only make a game fun for a rent.

I am a little lucky though, last gen is far from dead, I'm a Jrpg virgin so i have some catching up to do.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Just like the Playstation 2 is still supported somewhat, I doubt the PS3 is going to be tossed to the wayside immediately upon the release of the PS4.

It will be like the Xbox is right now. The reason the PS2 still has support is that people are still buying them, not because Sony loves you.

Also, they're not "learning from Wii". Graphics are getting to the point where a huge increase requires a HUGE price jump.

[Mdot]

I like the idea of sticking with the Cell so developers can use what they've already learned since it seems like it's been such a trying process so far through the PS3 cycle. I can't really see them launching prior to the next Xbox, be that in 2011 or whenever. I guess a release for both consoles around the same time is possible, but I don't know how hot both companies would be for that either.

[cp#]

I duno.

Well, maybe.

Cell should be manufactured at a =< 32nm process in 2011 with very high yields. I would guess if they could bump up the core frequency (currently already at a very high 3.2Ghz) it could work.

But I think it's a bad idea. Intel's new architecture will blow away Cell (arguably Intel's 65, 45nm parts already do). MS would be wise to switch back to Intel.

And lets say that hardware has to be finalized by 2010.. that's still two years away. Intel will fourth (fifth?) generation Core parts out by then.

[Sandman]

2011 huh? Time to start saving those pennys.

[Commissar Rob]

I duno.

Well, maybe.

Cell should be manufactured at a =< 32nm process in 2011 with very high yields. I would guess if they could bump up the core frequency (currently already at a very high 3.2Ghz) it could work.

But I think it's a bad idea. Intel's new architecture will blow away Cell (arguably Intel's 65, 45nm parts already do). MS would be wise to switch back to Intel.

And lets say that hardware has to be finalized by 2010.. that's still two years away. Intel will fourth (fifth?) generation Core parts out by then.GAH! You mean we have to go through all this again! PS4 is smarter than SKYNET! etc. Ad nauseum.

[SPBTooL]

I duno.

Well, maybe.

Cell should be manufactured at a =< 32nm process in 2011 with very high yields. I would guess if they could bump up the core frequency (currently already at a very high 3.2Ghz) it could work.

But I think it's a bad idea. Intel's new architecture will blow away Cell (arguably Intel's 65, 45nm parts already do). MS would be wise to switch back to Intel.

And lets say that hardware has to be finalized by 2010.. that's still two years away. Intel will fourth (fifth?) generation Core parts out by then.
changing the architecture would not be a good move for MS. The performance increase from this gen to the next will be even less noticeable than it was from the last to this one. One effect that will be of more importance is backward compatibility. If MS keeps the same architecture but makes it faster the next system will be able to run all the current games much better. Similar to the way that upgrading a PC makes the older games better with no change to the game.

The current architecture is easy for devs to use and they like it. Give them more speed, power and features in the same environment and they will be happy. Give the gamers more standard features in both hardware and graphic and they will be happy. Especial when you can keep it cheaper.

Keeping the same architecture for the PS3 is good because devs are getting used to it's difficulty and to reduce cost. Keeping the same architecture for MS is good for it's simplicity with increased abilities. Changing is fine but does not seem wise to do more than every other generation.

[mightbe]

I agree 170%. This gen is a pale shadow to what we had last gen, even more so when you include the Dreamcast. The only way this gen is any better is if you're a big fan of online multiplayer, because in every other way, it's by far inferior.

I'd completely disagree with that.

X360 gave me a hell of a deep and wide platform to play on. Many of the games with online multi-player had phenomenal single player games there as well.

[Gorvi]

I'd completely disagree with that.

X360 gave me a hell of a deep and wide platform to play on. Many of the games with online multi-player had phenomenal single player games there as well.
Look at the first 3 years of the DC/PS2/XBOX/GC gen then look at the first 3 years of this gen. Maybe it's just my tastes, but the comparison isn't even close.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Look at the first 3 years of the DC/PS2/XBOX/GC gen then look at the first 3 years of this gen. Maybe it's just my tastes, but the comparison isn't even close.

I'm going to primarily attribute it to the RPG drought, which hurts you a lot more than most people. I rarely play online, and I've been having a good bit of fun.

It's been worse since Nintendo dried up, though.

[Gorvi]

I'm going to primarily attribute it to the RPG drought, which hurts you a lot more than most people. I rarely play online, and I've been having a good bit of fun.

It's been worse since Nintendo dried up, though.
Oh, that very much is a big part of it, that's for sure. I don't know, though, there's just something that feels like it's missing otherwise. I think part of it is the lack of platformers, too.

[mightbe]

Look at the first 3 years of the DC/PS2/XBOX/GC gen then look at the first 3 years of this gen. Maybe it's just my tastes, but the comparison isn't even close.

Well, there's half the number of systems for starters (not counting a very late Wii). And I would say it definitely has to do with personal taste. Lets not forget Downloadables adding a huge amount to the library of this generation.

I have never been as happy with the lineup of a console as I was/am with the 360. The PS2+DC is the only thing that really comes close for me from the last gen.

Add in the 20+ solid titles on the PS3 and that's about what I got from the XBOX/GC. And if we're going to count the Wii (which, meh it's such an oddball) I'd say it pushes this waaay over for me.

But, there's not really been much in the way of RPGs or Strategy games this time around.

I'm ok with that though, I enjoy their revitalization on the PC in that time frame.

[mightbe]

Oh, that very much is a big part of it, that's for sure. I don't know, though, there's just something that feels like it's missing otherwise. I think part of it is the lack of platformers, too.

I was so tired of platformers after last gen that it took the amazing game that is the PS3 R&C to get me to play them again.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Oh, that very much is a big part of it, that's for sure. I don't know, though, there's just something that feels like it's missing otherwise. I think part of it is the lack of platformers, too.

Well, the short version is:

People used to make tons of OK games on the PS2. It was a magic land of 8.5 games.

Now those developers are making Wii games, and they're making 5.0 games.

[Gorvi]

I was so tired of platformers after last gen that it took the amazing game that is the PS3 R&C to get me to play them again.
Jak 3: the best action/platformer since Mario 64. The game was totally overlooked because most people couldn't take the difficulty in Jak 2.

Now we're officially off topic. ;)

[Disgustipated]

I don't see these specs being very plausible. If the PS4 is only, on average, two times more powerful than the PS3 then it's going to fall pretty far behind. Expect the Xbox 3 to be AT LEAST 5-15x more powerful than the 360, while remaining cheap to manufacture. Microsoft will hopefully learn from this gen's mistakes and start it off at a much better price point, i.e. $300.

[Commissar Rob]

I don't see these specs being very plausible. If the PS4 is only, on average, two times more powerful than the PS3 then it's going to fall pretty far behind. Expect the Xbox 3 to be AT LEAST 5-15x more powerful than the 360, while remaining cheap to manufacture. Microsoft will hopefully learn from this gen's mistakes and start it off at a much better price point, i.e. $300.
And hopefully spend a little more time on quality testing/control.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I don't see these specs being very plausible. If the PS4 is only, on average, two times more powerful than the PS3 then it's going to fall pretty far behind. Expect the Xbox 3 to be AT LEAST 5-15x more powerful than the 360, while remaining cheap to manufacture. Microsoft will hopefully learn from this gen's mistakes and start it off at a much better price point, i.e. $300.

I don't see how Microsoft can do all the things you're saying. What could they do to be 5-10 times more powerful than the current Xbox due to Moore's Law breaking down? Have 40 cores? 20 gigs of RAM? 3 GPUs?

The low price is in direct conflict with price. I'm just hoping they'll hold at $400.

[Gorvi]

I don't see these specs being very plausible. If the PS4 is only, on average, two times more powerful than the PS3 then it's going to fall pretty far behind. Expect the Xbox 3 to be AT LEAST 5-15x more powerful than the 360, while remaining cheap to manufacture. Microsoft will hopefully learn from this gen's mistakes and start it off at a much better price point, i.e. $300.
But will there be cupholders? Chrome? An espresso add-on? These are the things we need to know.

[TheFlyingOrc]

But will there be cupholders? Chrome? An espresso add-on? These are the things we need to know.

Probably. The PS3 added lots of stuff that didn't benefit gaming. Bam.

[Gorvi]

Probably. The PS3 added lots of stuff that didn't benefit gaming. Bam.
Burninated. Damn you!

[Disgustipated]

I don't see how Microsoft can do all the things you're saying. What could they do to be 5-10 times more powerful than the current Xbox due to Moore's Law breaking down? Have 40 cores? 20 gigs of RAM? 3 GPUs?

The low price is in direct conflict with price. I'm just hoping they'll hold at $400.

I see you don't really understand PC hardware and scaling or even Moore's law. I'll try to explain.

GPU of the 360 is the baseline. An 8800 GT is over 2x as powerful. A Radeon 4870 is around 3-4x as powerful.

CPU in the 360 as a baseline. A quad-core Intel at 3 Ghz is... I'm not exactly sure on the calculations, but it's a good deal faster.

Now, when you consider what will be available in 2009-2010 for them to spec with, it's very easy to get a 5-10 fold increase in power without costing a whole lot.

[SilentScreams]

Why are we talking about the PS4...I haven't even bought a PS3 yet! :D
I kept on telling myself I'd get one when I saw one at a good price, and yet I saw a 60gb model for £200 today and didn't take the bait. I just can't justify buying one, even that cheap.

[jeffbax]

After all the work developers have been taking to learn the Cell, it wouldn't make sense to leave the architecture. The whole point of Cell was how you could easily add more and more SPEs down the line to scale the chip where clockspeed alone wasn't doing it all.

Additionally, they'll be much better off manufacturing wise by then to keep the costs from hitting $499-$599 again. I imagine that PS3 will still be going strong then too and keeping the architecture should make it an easier transition than PS2-> PS3 and Xbox->360 have been.

[pomeroy]

Why are we talking about the PS4...I haven't even bought a PS3 yet! :D
I kept on telling myself I'd get one when I saw one at a good price, and yet I saw a 60gb model for £200 today and didn't take the bait. I just can't justify buying one, even that cheap.

No kidding. Maybe they'll be backwards compatible and I can just skip the ps3 all together.

[BlackPete]

Awesome. I can't wait to butt heads with Siraris again once the PS4 comes out! :D

Siraris -- I challenge you to a fanboi duel in 2011. Mark your calendar.