# PS4 to be announced Feb 20th - Your predictions **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 1, 2013, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023 "2013-02-01T12:47:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/301 "2013-04-05T15:41:52Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > You’re looking at this wrong. You should be asking “Why would anyone WANT an always on device?” The answer is “There is absolutely no reason a consumer would want an always on device.” No, I’m not looking at it wrong - I’m looking at it from the perspective of a casual gamer who has absolutely no idea what the issue, and is asking for clarification. That’s not “wrong”, it’s just ignorance. So enlighten me. Also, there’s a big difference between “want” and “care”. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/302 "2013-04-05T15:44:15Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > You’re looking at this wrong. You should be asking “Why would anyone WANT an always on device?” The answer is “There is absolutely no reason a consumer would want an always on device.” This. As a general matter, I prefer that my computing devices have no greater autonomy than required for the task at hand. If I’m streaming video from Netflix, then it’s fair enough to require an Internet connection; the nature of the task demands it, and I’m happy to let my PC/console/whatever use that connection as the developers have seen fit. But there is nothing in the task of playing a single-player videogame that intrinsically demands an Internet connection; if all I want to do is play by myself, and I don’t want the latest patch, there is absolutely no reason this task should require, or even significantly benefit from, an Internet connection. And if that connection doesn’t benefit me, I see no reason to permit it. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/303 "2013-04-05T15:49:47Z")
Actually, I think it is more that not just wanting an always on device. You have to realize that if you are always on, data is going to be collected about how, what, where and what you have been doing. It is the same reason I try to avoid facebook. I like privacy. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/304 "2013-04-05T15:50:15Z")
I’m also finding i want to control the number of distractions in my life, an always on console is just another device that gets to wiggle it fingers into my limited attention with new DLC and the latest video from the latest band du jour. First the device requires it “for licensing” and some nimrod decides they want to take advantage of it “because its already there.” ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/305 "2013-04-05T15:50:18Z")
A couple of years ago, I believe, Playstation networks were shut down for over a month. No one could play multiplayer. That sucked. Imagine how much it would have sucked if PSN was required to play single player. You come home after a long day at work and want to relax with some Saints Row that you bought, that you spent your money on, and you find you can’t play what you bought because a server is down, even though there is no reason whatsoever for that server to be necessary. It’d be like not being able to drive a car you bought because Ford is having computer issues. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/306 "2013-04-05T15:59:27Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > Imagine how much it would have sucked if PSN was required to play single player. You come home after a long day at work and want to relax with some Saints Row that you bought, that you spent your money on, and you find you can’t play what you bought because a server is down, even though there is no reason whatsoever for that server to be necessary. In your scenario, I think Sony would have been sued into oblivion. Or developed a way to squash the “always-on” requirement toot sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/307 "2013-04-05T16:07:20Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > No, I’m not looking at it wrong - I’m looking at it from the perspective of a casual gamer who has absolutely no idea what the issue, and is asking for clarification. That’s not “wrong”, it’s just ignorance. So enlighten me. Also, there’s a big difference between “want” and “care”. What I’m trying to tell you is that your inquiry is backwards. You shouldn’t buy something based on “this doesn’t have any features that are bad for me”, but rather, based on “This device has all the features that are good for me.” “Always on” adds nothing for the consumer. It’s basically a trap that makes you beholden to the people who own the other end of the connection. So the question is: “Why would you submit to something like that when it offers you no benefits?” not “Why is this a problem?” An informed consumer should try to look at things for the perspective of “What does this do for me?” “Why would I want this?” and “What does this mean?” not “Why should I care if this has X?” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/308 "2013-04-05T17:56:02Z")
[Here’s someone who’s really pissed about XBox requiring an internet connection.](http://kotaku.com/now-this-guy-is-totally-pissed-about-the-xbox-always-on-470819262) I work for PlayStation. We’re all really amused right now. It’s unclear whether Microsoft can remove the always-on requirement at this point. Any games being developed for the new system have to be pretty far along by now. Some of them might be like SimCity – the always-on elements could be removed if they really wanted to. But I’m sure that some of the new games have the always-on feature so deeply integrated that they can’t yank it out without going back to the drawing board and redesign the whole thing from scratch. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/309 "2013-04-05T18:05:27Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > [Here’s someone who’s really pissed about XBox requiring an internet connection.](http://kotaku.com/now-this-guy-is-totally-pissed-about-the-xbox-always-on-470819262) > > I work for PlayStation. We’re all really amused right now. > > It’s unclear whether Microsoft can remove the always-on requirement at this point. Any games being developed for the new system have to be pretty far along by now. Some of them might be like SimCity – the always-on elements could be removed if they really wanted to. But I’m sure that some of the new games have the always-on feature so deeply integrated that they can’t yank it out without going back to the drawing board and redesign the whole thing from scratch. I \<3 Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/310 "2013-04-05T18:05:59Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > It’s unclear whether Microsoft can remove the always-on requirement at this point. Any games being developed for the new system have to be pretty far along by now. Some of them might be like SimCity – the always-on elements could be removed if they really wanted to. But I’m sure that some of the new games have the always-on feature so deeply integrated that they can’t yank it out without going back to the drawing board and redesign the whole thing from scratch. I sortof disagree with you; There’s nothing inherently evil about games that require always on connections. Some very popular titles require exactly this. There’s a little known property called “World of Warcraft” that apparently requires an always on internet connection and has managed to make a few bucks in spite of it. The key is exactly what you said - they can’t be “like Simcity” where the “always on” is clearly tacked on. If the game is built in such a way that the connection requirement makes sense and offers a BENEFIT to the consumer no one is going to bat an eye. It’s when you start saying “Yeah. This game? That has no meaningful online features at all? It requires you to always be connected to the internet” that people start to wonder why they’re putting up with this BS. That said, those games are exactly the ones that are easiest to remove the always-on requirement from. So I wouldn’t feel -too- smug about it. Heck, we don’t even necessarily know for sure that they’re doing this yet. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/311 "2013-04-05T18:21:54Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > Heck, we don’t even necessarily know for sure that they’re doing this yet. A boy can dream, can’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/312 "2013-04-05T19:03:37Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > A boy can dream, can’t he? Dream big, my friend, dream big. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/313 "2013-04-06T21:14:59Z")
From [an article](http://kotaku.com/the-next-xbox-will-require-an-internet-connection-to-st-470062456) at the same site as that Francis video: > [@](#): > > Some sources told us that they believed that the Durango development kit required an online connection so that Microsoft could keep tabs on them and update them with new, ever-evolving firmware. So it wouldn’t necessarily imply the consumer version would have the requirement. That seems somewhat plausible, although you’d think Microsoft would have said something about that by now, given the controversy. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/314 "2013-04-08T20:11:00Z")
I assume this thread is good for xbox stuff too, not much point to creating a separate thread. [Rumor is](http://www.gamespot.com/news/subscription-based-xbox-720-priced-at-300-with-500-standard-model-6406544) the new xbox is going to cost $500 or $300 with some sort of subscription contract. Also always online. Interesting that they are making huge compromises by (as per rumors) cheap, super low power mobile phone parts as a processor yet it’s going to cost more than the 360’s launch price. Seems like based on the rumors the PS4 is going to be the better machine, Microsoft is stepping on their own dick. I hope their xbox division loses them eleventy billion dollars, fuck them. Maybe they’ll remember at that point PCs are where they make their money. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/315 "2013-04-08T23:26:57Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > [Rumor is](http://www.gamespot.com/news/subscription-based-xbox-720-priced-at-300-with-500-standard-model-6406544) the new xbox is going to cost $500 or $300 with some sort of subscription contract. **Also always online.** Interesting spin that article puts on that last bit: > [@](#): > > Thurrott also shared information about the Xbox 720’s reported always-online requirement. He said this a confirmed feature for the platform, claiming the system’s notes specifically state that the Xbox 720 “must be Internet-connected to use.” Compare that with a [similar article](http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/04/report-500-always-online-xbox-successor-to-launch-in-early-november/) on Ars Technica: > [@](#): > > Thurrot also added more fuel to the persistent rumors that the next Xbox will require a constant Internet connection to use. “Going back and looking at some of the stuff I got a long time ago, it actually says ‘must be Internet connected to use,’ that’s in the notes,” Thurrot said. “That’s all I have, but it does say that.” ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/316 "2013-04-09T14:43:12Z")
Apparently whoever ‘wins’ the console war in the previous generation is immediate doomed to hubris and really stupid decisions in the next one. x.x Well, Xbox, I enjoyed my time with the 360, but don’t expect to sell me the new one. > [@SenorBeef](#): > > Maybe they’ll remember at that point PCs are where they make their money. Uh…is it? I mean, I guess it is with Windows and Office, but it’s not like they’ve been neglecting those in favor of the Xbox… so er? (The 360 was fairly profitable for them, by my understanding) ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/317 "2013-04-09T15:41:15Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > Apparently whoever ‘wins’ the console war in the previous generation is immediate doomed to hubris and really stupid decisions in the next one. x.x Well, Xbox, I enjoyed my time with the 360, but don’t expect to sell me the new one. > > Uh…is it? I mean, I guess it is with Windows and Office, but it’s not like they’ve been neglecting those in favor of the Xbox… so er? (The 360 was fairly profitable for them, by my understanding) Pretty sure the Xbox brand is still in the red actually. But it’s now (after a decade) positioned to print money. I don’t think PC gaming has ever really meant much for them, but Windows and their business apps/services are pretty much 90% of Microsoft revenue (IIRC). ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/318 "2013-04-09T17:25:00Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > Apparently whoever ‘wins’ the console war in the previous generation is immediate doomed to hubris and really stupid decisions in the next one. x.x Well, Xbox, I enjoyed my time with the 360, but don’t expect to sell me the new one. > > Uh…is it? I mean, I guess it is with Windows and Office, but it’s not like they’ve been neglecting those in favor of the Xbox… so er? (The 360 was fairly profitable for them, by my understanding) Microsoft is SO big, that it’s likely one doesn’t affect the other. They make their VAST money in OS Sales, followed by Office, probably followed by Enterprise licensing. Xbox may as well be a completely different organization. I’m kinda chilling on the whole subject of console gaming. The only game that’s really gripped me lately is Bioshock Infinite. I got bored with Halo 4 about 4 hours in, and have no other desire to fire up any of the consoles…and Bioshock is available on the PC. We bought my son a 10 year old version of SimCity 4 based on the lukewarm response to the latest edition. I think a lot of the old guard is busy consuming itself by looking busy. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/319 "2013-04-09T17:57:32Z")
PS4 Techy details here: [Sony dives deep into the PS4’s hardware power, controller features at GDC | Ars Technica](http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/03/sony-dives-deep-into-the-ps4s-hardware-power-controller-features-at-gdc/) ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023/320 "2013-04-09T18:02:21Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > Microsoft is SO big, that it’s likely one doesn’t affect the other. They make their VAST money in OS Sales, followed by Office, probably followed by Enterprise licensing. Xbox may as well be a completely different organization. Definitely; And this, together with what **Kinthalis** said, is why I’m confused by Beef’s comment about “remembering where they make their money”. This whole thing is completely academic to me at this point - I never buy consoles anywhere near their release time. I didn’t get a PS2 until the 360 was already out. I didn’t get a 360 until the 2008 holiday season. PS3 came along a bit more than a year ago. I guess I bought my Dreamcast fairly near the release date, and look how that turned out. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps4-to-be-announced-feb-20th-your-predictions/649023.md?page=17)