There's likely been some discussion of this already, but not to this depth of detail -- so I thought it might be worth talking about as we're maybe 40-50% done w/ this generation of consoles.
Original Article
[quote name='AdrianSang.com']Technology writer Hiroshige Goto has shared a few insider tips on the future of the PlayStation brand in the latest installment of his Weekly Overseas News column at Impress Watch.
Previously, Goto reported that Sony was looking both into a Cell-based and Intel Larrabee-based architecture for PlayStation 4.
...
Regarding Cell, some time in 2008, the company asked game publishers what they'd want of a Cell-based PS4 in terms of number of SPU co-processors and what kind of programming difficulties they've been having with the current design.
...
Goto says there are signs that some time this summer, Sony was looking into using this updated SPU design in the core of the PS4. At the very least, he says, the design was a strong candidate.
However, he's recently started hearing about other plans. While he's unable to get into the specifics, at a broad level, the new plans call for a PC-like multicore setup.
Goto also provided a few guesses as to when we'll see the next generation of hardwaree. He believes that because Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, are looking into architecture solutions now in 2009, the next generation will come around 2012. The reason for this is that it takes 24 months to take a system from concept to production.
In addition, he expects next generation portable systems like PSP2 to precede the release of next generation consoles.[/quote]
Honestly, it makes sense that Sony would shift the PS4 towards a more PC-like setup as many developers are (rightfully) just now getting their mind around the Cell architecture, while many are fluently versed in PC development. And some developers (like Valve) outright refuse to develop for the PS3 because of the Cell.
So now we have the Big 3 converging in both architecture, likely specs, greater focus on the casual market, and all having some sort of motion-based control scheme.
It'll all come down to exclusive titles through 1st parties, and hopefully the days of inferior ports will be a thing of the past (or at least, end a lot sooner).
Original Article
[quote name='AdrianSang.com']Technology writer Hiroshige Goto has shared a few insider tips on the future of the PlayStation brand in the latest installment of his Weekly Overseas News column at Impress Watch.
Previously, Goto reported that Sony was looking both into a Cell-based and Intel Larrabee-based architecture for PlayStation 4.
...
Regarding Cell, some time in 2008, the company asked game publishers what they'd want of a Cell-based PS4 in terms of number of SPU co-processors and what kind of programming difficulties they've been having with the current design.
...
Goto says there are signs that some time this summer, Sony was looking into using this updated SPU design in the core of the PS4. At the very least, he says, the design was a strong candidate.
However, he's recently started hearing about other plans. While he's unable to get into the specifics, at a broad level, the new plans call for a PC-like multicore setup.
Goto also provided a few guesses as to when we'll see the next generation of hardwaree. He believes that because Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, are looking into architecture solutions now in 2009, the next generation will come around 2012. The reason for this is that it takes 24 months to take a system from concept to production.
In addition, he expects next generation portable systems like PSP2 to precede the release of next generation consoles.[/quote]
Honestly, it makes sense that Sony would shift the PS4 towards a more PC-like setup as many developers are (rightfully) just now getting their mind around the Cell architecture, while many are fluently versed in PC development. And some developers (like Valve) outright refuse to develop for the PS3 because of the Cell.
So now we have the Big 3 converging in both architecture, likely specs, greater focus on the casual market, and all having some sort of motion-based control scheme.
It'll all come down to exclusive titles through 1st parties, and hopefully the days of inferior ports will be a thing of the past (or at least, end a lot sooner).