Next-Gen Apathy

[opa]

The PS5 just had its official reveal... and I don't feel anything. I'm pretty sure there's a new Xbox but I haven't read anything about it. Quite frankly I haven't found new video game hardware really all that exciting after the Nintendo Wii. At least with the Wii there were new control methods which changed how you interacted within the software (with admittedly mixed success). However, for a short time we saw a complete revival of the lost light-gun genre. That was pretty sweet; I don't think we'll see anything like that with the new systems.

I've come to realize that I'm at the point of general apathy for anything new happening in video games. Heck, I'm still playing catch-up on PS3/360/Wii-era releases. I've barely touched the Xbox One or PS4. Probably because they're maddeningly frustrating to operate. This complaint isn't a new one but it seems worse with the new systems. You can't just sit down and play a game anymore. Before you can do anything there's a new system update to install. When you finally get to select your game it has to download an update that is full of multiplayer dlc that you're A) not going to buy and B) not going to use because you're probably playing single player. Then when you get into the game it'll probably throw a splash screen or something advertising new dlc/expansions when all you want to do is hit "continue" and go back to killing orcs or whatever.

Modern console gaming sucks. The only thing it still has above playing on a computer is the ease of connecting to a TV and being able to resell your games. But we'll see how long the latter point lasts as the PS5 is going to feature a digital-only model as an option. Not too sure who's going to be foolish enough to buy that.

I feel like I'm rambling at this point.
At least my Atari doesn't require an internet connection! Adventure > The Last of Whatever/Halo 27.

[Ziggy]

Yeah, I feel the same way. With the PS4, I had a mild curiosity about it. But I have absolutely no interest in the PS5 or whatever the new Xbox is. I too have a ton to still catch up with on the PS3 and Wii, not to mention the Wii U and Switch as well. This will most likely be the first new gen hardware that I don't buy into.

I did catch the detail about the two PS5 console versions though. One has a large SSD and no optical drive, so you're limited to digital only purchase options. From what I understand it's $100 less than the model that comes with a 4K BD drive. The fact that they're doing this says a lot about the state of things. A lot of us cringe at the prospect of digital only, and this is another step in that direction.

Not that I'm interesting in getting one, but I am a little curious... Does anyone know what backwards compatibility the PS5 will have? I have zero interested in PS5 games, but I'm wondering about BC because of the optical drive option.

[isiolia]

I didn't find much of what they showed to be all that compelling...but then, the same was true for the Xbox One and PS4. Like previous generations, a lot of the best stuff came along later. I don't doubt I'll end up getting them, though likely not at launch - existing backlog and other games scheduled to come out in the meantime being more the reasoning.

While some of the complaints here are basically meme level - software updates/etc - there are better ways of handling them, like having updates get pulled down in idle time. Hawking DLC or something isn't a given. We've got stabs at newer things via VR n' all too, but I think there's also a lot people just take for granted as trends or features just standardize without as much fanfare.
Some of that is actually likely to improve next gen though. Part of the PS5's SSD solution is hardware compression, and while that contributes to the obscenely high effective transfer speeds, it also should mean managing download and install sizes better.


Digital only models also make sense given the trends of consumers to buy digital anyway. Additionally, both MS and Sony offer a library subscription (Games Pass, PSNow), in addition to monthly "free" games with PS+ or XBL Gold. For either of them, the combined no-promotion cost for that is about $10 a month. Less if you get discounted cards via Amazon or whatever.
The notion of "Netflix, but with games" is largely on offer already. Probably not appealing to the collector in most of us, but for those that just want to play games there's tremendous value. Just pay the sub, and grab slightly older games as they come up in those libraries, rather than wait for the disc to drop under $20 or whatever.
The digital version of the console(s) will be a great fit for some consumers. Others of us will want the option for a disc too. Having a choice is a good thing.


PS5 BC has only been announced for PS4 games. It should be able to play most all of 'em, but from what I gather there's a verification process they'll have to pass. Sony does not seem to be trying to do much more than that. I don't doubt that they'll end up having versions of older games that play on it (PSNow offers PS2 and PS3 titles on PS4 as it is), but there's been no indication that you'll get them automatically via having the old disc like MS has done with Xbox.

[samsonlonghair]

Same here, my friends. I can hardly muster the interest to express my disinterest in next gen.

[opa]

Dang, I forgot about the Wii U. There's another system to go through. lol

While some of the complaints here are basically meme level - software updates/etc - there are better ways of handling them, like having updates get pulled down in idle time. Hawking DLC or something isn't a given. We've got stabs at newer things via VR n' all too, but I think there's also a lot people just take for granted as trends or features just standardize without as much fanfare.

I guess reality is a meme because that's been my modern-gaming experience.

I have tried out the Xbox game pass a few times when they've run the $1 for a month deal. It worked well, and they had decent games, but I wouldn't rely on that personally. However, I can see the value for someone if they do play a lot of modern titles (provided the games in rotation are somewhat current). I suppose the convenience of it works for some people because they still offer it as a service.

[fuctfuct]

I've loved most of the PS3 and PS4 exclusive games. I am VERY much looking forward to the new ones coming. Zero Dawn2! Ratchet & Clank!!!!

I do own a gaming PC. A bit long in the tooth (1070) but i still prefer gaming on consoles. When i play a PC game i usually use a PS4 or Xbone controller and i find it harder to control than the same game on console. Not every game but a lot. I know console games help you aim and i assume the PC games do too when they detect a gamepad. But it still feels worse. I stick to stuff like Witcher 3 on PC. Also digital only smaller games. Stuff like Hollow Knight, Ori, Streets of Rage 4, ect. Almost everything else on console. That said.. after seeing the Xbox Mini Fridge and the MASSIVE PS5 WiFi router .. im not exactly excited to own either of them, lol

[Jagosaurus]

I was excited for Halo Infinite re;leasing on XSX ...

then they revealed it would also be available on XB1 ....

then they revealed my XB1 copy will be forward compatible on XSX with no up-charge ....

FINE ... you win M$... I won't buy a XSX for a few years

[MrPopo]

You guys sound like a bunch of grumpy old men who can't figure out how to set the clock on their VCR.

[marurun]

You guys sound like a bunch of grumpy old men who can't figure out how to set the clock on their VCR.

We CAN set the clocks on our VCRs, we just don’t care to. VCR clock apathy.

[bmoc]

I'm always up for a new gadget. I'm planning to get one of them at launch. I'll likely get both eventually but I am leaning towards PS5 for my first purchase. The Series X has a lot of great features like better backwards compatibility and being able to use Xbox One controllers. Still, I generally prefer PlayStation exclusives over Xbox exclusives. We still don't know the price for either so it is possible I may change my mind.

Of the announced exclusives for Xbox, I'm really only looking forward to Halo Infinite. I hope Halo Infinite runs better on a base Xbox One than Ori 2 did.