+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted April 20, 2016 Subscriber² Share Posted April 20, 2016 Quote In the wake of the PlayStation 4K 'Neo' leak, there are still plenty of questions that need answering, and we're intent on bringing you everything we can about the new hardware and especially what it means for owners of the existing PS4. In this article, we'll be drawing on the rules of engagement that Sony has supplied to PlayStation 4 developers. While these guidelines may change, the picture painted is clear and unambiguous. As the platform holder says explicitly, PS4 and Neo 'co-exist in the marketplace' - one is simply a more technologically capable version of the other, but there are some key points here amongst the wealth of information we'd really like to highlight: Dual Shock 4 remains the primary controller: Sony has no plans to introduce a new joypad for the Neo hardware. The Dual Shock 4 remains unchanged and Sony has actually mandated that all existing peripherals should be supported with no segregation between PS4 and Neo. 1080p is the mandatory minimum display resolution: Sony is keen to push developers on to higher resolutions and super-sampling down to full HD is an option, but 1080p is the lowest pixel-count allowed. No online segregation between consoles: If a PlayStation title supports online features, they must be deployed equally on both systems. Developers cannot have Neo-only servers. We believe this may actually introduce gameplay balance issues if, say, the Neo version hits 60fps while the PS4 version is capped at 30fps. Save data systems are cross-platform: The PlayStation operating system is constant between both PS4 and Neo. This means that all data (save games, back-ups etc) are interchangeable between both systems by default. However, it seems that Sony is leaving it up to developers to ensure that Neo and PS4 save-swapping actually works. Forward compatibility patches are for old games only: Sony really wants Neo support on all games from October onwards. While older titles can have Neo features patched in, the platform holder will not allow new titles to add Neo features at a later date. So those are the headlines, but for those with an eye for detail, here's what we believe is the complete list of rules and guidelines issued to developers. The situation may change, but for now it offers an intriguing insight into Sony's strategy for allowing two different PlayStations to co-exist in the same ecosystem. PS4/Neo system software functions The PS4 front-end offers an identical experience whether you're running on Neo or an original PS4 system. The PlayStation Store will be exactly the same, but Sony is considering offering enhanced media facilities - for example, 1080p gameplay streaming and recording. Access to 4K media apps with HDCP 2.2 requirements aren't covered in Sony's documentation. In terms of games though, the platform holder is highly detailed in how this is going to work: The same PSN ID can be used to access the same content across multiple PS4 and Neo consoles. However, you can only have one device allocated as the Primary Console. The same PSN ID can't be logged in simultaneously on more than one PS4, Neo or combination of the two (presumably the Primary Console can play digital content offline though, as is the case now). Save games should be interchangeable between PS4 and Neo titles (via USB or cloud storage). However, the system is platform agnostic. Sony is leaving it to developers to ensure this feature works. Backed up data is interchangeable between Neo and PS4. That is, you can back-up data on either console and restore it with no problems. Themes and avatars work on both systems. Developers are not allowed to segregate Neo and PS4 users on the PlayStation Network. Online game modes must offer the same feature set. Trophies and unlock rules must be totally identical. PlayStation Store pages and physical game-packaging are expected to list Neo-specific features. There are no plans to prioritise PS4 or Neo content in using the PlayGo 'fast start' download system. PlayStation 4/Neo Game Compatibility Sony is very keen on developers supporting both systems simultaneously, and is motivating developers to ensure that there is Neo support in all PS4 titles from Q4 onwards this year. It's also firm on unifying the platforms with little or no exceptions: Neo-only or PS4-only games are not permitted (remember that Neo can still run unenhanced titles - developers are simply prohibited from locking out audiences of either console). All games you purchase, whether via disc or from the PlayStation Store, should offer both PS4 and Neo functionality with no extra costs associated in running titles on a different console. All new titles with Neo support use unified packages that run on both platforms. The CPU binary is identical, while three GPU binaries (shared, PS4-specific and Neo-specific) are all contained in the same package. All DLC and additional content is entirely cross-platform. Unified downloads are used for both this, and basic game patches. Neo support for old games is allowed via 'forward compatibility' patching - but this will not be allowed for new titles. Developers cannot supply exclusive gameplay features for Neo owners. If the game has a split-screen mode, it must be available on both systems. However, modes can be enhanced - so a two-player split-screen mode on PS4 could be expanded to allow a four-player variant on Neo. Developers cannot add exclusive content to either PS4 or Neo systems. If there's a bug in Neo-specific code, developers are not allowed to divert Neo owners to the PS4 codepath. The game must be fixed. Peripheral support Sony isn't looking to make any dramatic changes here. We can assume that the Neo hardware has the same primary interfaces here as PS4 - namely, USB 3.0, Bluetooth and the camera interface. The existing Dual Shock 4 is confirmed as the primary interface for Neo. There will be no new controller. As is the case right now, DS4 pads can be used and paired interchangeably between different PlayStation hardware. Any special game peripheral you have which is compatible with PS4 should run identically on Neo. There must be no difference in peripheral support between Neo and PS4 versions. Rendering guidelines We've already described how Sony is looking to offer higher resolution support for 4K screens with the Neo hardware, and how higher frame-rates, more stable frame-rates, improved graphics fidelity and further visual features are encouraged. It's a topic we'll be returning to in due course as more information comes in. However, In terms of hard and fast technical guidelines for Neo rendering, Sony offers this: Games running in Neo mode must operate at a native rendering resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p) or higher. A game's frame-rate must meet or exceed its equivalent performance level on base PlayStation 4 hardware. It seems that there are no new guidelines for ensuring rendering or performance standards on the existing PlayStation 4. One worry is that emphasis may shift to Neo, resulting in poorer experiences for the older hardware. We hope that the sheer weight of the user base ensures that the 'base' PS4 continues to get the care and attention it deserves. Expand Source: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-how-playstation-4k-neo-and-the-original-ps4-will-co-exist A lot of new info here. +Asmodai 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1295382-how-playstation-neo-and-the-original-ps4-will-co-exist/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Asmodai MVC Posted April 20, 2016 MVC Share Posted April 20, 2016 Personally I think this is a HORRIBLE idea for Sony. They already have a more powerful, higher selling console, it makes no sense to me that they do this. Specifically: Quote No online segregation between consoles: If a PlayStation title supports online features, they must be deployed equally on both systems. Developers cannot have Neo-only servers. We believe this may actually introduce gameplay balance issues if, say, the Neo version hits 60fps while the PS4 version is capped at 30fps. Expand I completely agree. Not just 60fps vs 30fps either. If original PS4 games are running at 720p@60fps or 900p@60fps but NEO versions are running at 1080p then NEO users are going see finer detail at greater distance potentially. I realize that this is "normal" on PCs but it's NOT on consoles. Historically there was an even playing field between someone who bought say the first PS3 off the production lines and the last... if Sony goes through with this that will no longer be the case. Quote A game's frame-rate must meet or exceed its equivalent performance level on base PlayStation 4 hardware. Expand REALLY!?! I was sure higher clocked PS4 with double the compute units would have worse performance. /sarcasm EXCEEDING what the launch PS4 can do is exactly the problem. > 1080p gaming should wait for next generation when the GPUs are actually powerful enough to run 4k native games from launch. I do think it's a good idea for them to shrink the APU to 14nm (keeping the same clock) and add 4k Streaming video and Ultra HD Blu-Ray disc support but they shouldn't be messing with gaming performance within a console generation. Again I think this is a REALLY stupid idea for Sony. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1295382-how-playstation-neo-and-the-original-ps4-will-co-exist/#findComment-597375176 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DConnell Member Posted April 20, 2016 Member Share Posted April 20, 2016 So Sony is planning a higher-specced version of the PS4, but much of its capability is going to be limited to the level of the initial version? Neo buyers would basically just be paying for possibly higher resolution and framerate? Might be worth the purchase for many, but others will likely figure the existing console would be good enough. Especially ones who still have 1080P displays. I honestly see no reason to upgrade based on what I see here (if I had a PS4, that is). If the games will work fine on the existing console, why should I spend several hundred dollars on a new one? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1295382-how-playstation-neo-and-the-original-ps4-will-co-exist/#findComment-597375188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Showan Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 i'm at the point where i think sony is throwing these leaks out there to feedback without technically asking for it face to face. i think a ps4.5 (4k) is waiting and ready to go, if it's met with more positive remarks than negative. but if the resounding answer is "not cool" (coming from consumer and developer) they will hold off on it and build it up to a full blown ps5... just my 2cents at this moment. i've always wanted the console market shaken up and more chances taken, but i don't know how to feel about this. the geek in me loves it... but my wallet and my well being, well not as much... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1295382-how-playstation-neo-and-the-original-ps4-will-co-exist/#findComment-597375252 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted April 20, 2016 Author Subscriber² Share Posted April 20, 2016 On 20/04/2016 at 19:55, DConnell said: So Sony is planning a higher-specced version of the PS4, but much of its capability is going to be limited to the level of the initial version? Neo buyers would basically just be paying for possibly higher resolution and framerate? Might be worth the purchase for many, but others will likely figure the existing console would be good enough. Especially ones who still have 1080P displays. I honestly see no reason to upgrade based on what I see here (if I had a PS4, that is). If the games will work fine on the existing console, why should I spend several hundred dollars on a new one? Expand People want 1080/60? It can actually go further than that without having to reach 4K. Downsampling comes into play. You can run a 2K resolution and downsample to 1080p. This ends up giving you better AA for one plus. Expect to see something like that in the next Gran Turismo I'm betting. 1080/60FPS but with downsampling... Or they could just go 1080 native and use higher end AA I guess. Considering the leaked GPU info, on paper, it looks great (4.2TF vs 1.84TF). As a VR adopter I'm excited about this. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1295382-how-playstation-neo-and-the-original-ps4-will-co-exist/#findComment-597375338 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted April 21, 2016 Author Subscriber² Share Posted April 21, 2016 By the way, games from October have to have dual mode at launch, games from late September have to be patched. Square releasing FF15 on the 30th of September. Oh Square They'll have a bit longer to put out a Neo patch now. Looks like it'll need it considering current FF15 performance on current consoles (bad framerate). Quote If you have downloaded the Final Fantasy XV Platinum Demo then you will know the frame rate is less than impressive. The demo has dynamic resolution with the PS4 version running between 882p and 1080p with the Xbox One running somewhere between 792p and 882p, but both versions see the frame rate to drop to 20fps for long periods, and at some points it is as low as 15fps. The game’s director Hajime Tabata has told Dengeki Online that the frame rate is not reflective of the final game and the title will be optimised on both consoles, which may lead to one version being slightly better than the other. Expand Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1295382-how-playstation-neo-and-the-original-ps4-will-co-exist/#findComment-597375978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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