All articles tagged with #console
Microsoft is commemorating Xbox’s 25th anniversary with a limited-edition Series X reportedly priced as high as $900, releasing November 27, featuring a translucent green cabinet, 1TB storage, a special anniversary controller, and hidden easter eggs, with pricing parity to the PS5 Pro and a hint that Microsoft expects further console-price hikes in 2027 as AI-driven memory costs rise.
Two graphics modes are confirmed for The Blood of Dawnwalker on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S: Quality at 30fps in dynamic 4K and Balanced at 40fps in dynamic 4K, with no 60fps option at launch; PS5 Pro matches these frame rates but offers enhanced visual quality. The release is set for September 3, and fans are debating whether a post-launch patch could bring a higher frame rate.
Sony plans to end physical PlayStation game media by 2028, spurring a shift toward PC gaming. A Push Square survey found about 45% of respondents seriously considering switching to PC, 23% likely to stay with PlayStation, and 41% blaming the move on the end of physical media. Rumors of an Xbox disc-to-digital approach via a Helix hybrid and questions over launch pricing further push the trend toward digital distribution and PC-first strategies, signaling a shift in how gamers access and own games.
Sony says it will not sell PlayStation hardware at significant losses to absorb rising component costs, signaling that the next-gen PS6 could carry a premium price. Executives note that price increases have already been implemented outside Japan, and insider estimates put PS6’s bill of materials around $960, implying a retail price well above $1,000. The stance suggests a shift away from subsidized hardware even as demand remains, and Sony stresses it will prioritize communicating value to customers.
Microsoft has appointed two new Xbox executives—Matthew Ball as Chief Strategy Officer and Scott Van Vliet as Chief Technology Officer—along with a role shift for Chris Schnakenberg, as part of a leadership reshuffle aimed at strengthening the console business and accelerating development toward Project Helix. CEO Asha Sharma framed the moves as a way to clarify and improve execution to position Xbox for the future, signaling a renewed emphasis on the Series X|S console focus in 2026.
Xbox released the full GDC Helix presentation as a recap for 2026, with Jason Ronald stressing that the Xbox console is central to its future and promising more Helix news later this year, potentially at upcoming events like a June showcase or other announcements.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says Rockstar is prioritizing console players as the core audience, with GTA 6 launching on consoles first before PC; the decision is not tied to a PlayStation deal, and PC sales for major titles have grown dramatically in the past, while GTA 6’s price and any product placement plans remain undecided, inviting public commentary.
Xbox Vice President Jason Ronald reaffirmed that Project Helix will be a first-party Xbox console capable of playing both console and PC games, while ongoing rumors that the Helix chip could appear in non-Xbox devices (like third‑party PCs) remain unconfirmed. There’s no official confirmation of third‑party manufacturing, and backward compatibility details are unclear beyond emphasizing first‑party support as the Helix lineup develops.
A 12.6x9.7-inch 3D-printed Playnix Console packs a full PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 9060 XT, 16GB RAM, 512GB) into a compact shell, runs Arch Linux with EmuDeck, and can upscale to 4K/60fps via AMD's FSR Redstone. Priced at $1,140, it's pitched as a glimpse of the future where consoles and PCs converge, with hints of hardware upgrades and OS features (Xbox Mode) shaping the next generation.
SNK and PLAION announced the Neo Geo AES+—a hardware-faithful reimplementation of the original AES with modern features, including compatibility with both new and original Neo Geo AES cartridges, low-latency HDMI output alongside original AV, and quality-of-life options like DIP switches and permanent high-score storage. The AES+ will launch on November 12, 2026, with preorder pricing of $249.99 for the Standard Edition, $349.99 for the Anniversary Edition, and $999.99 for the Ultimate Edition, which bundles multiple accessories and game cartridges.
Analysts say the PS6 could launch around $1,000, signaling a potential shift to four-figure consoles, a trend tentatively foreshadowed by the PS5 Pro’s $899.99 price and the base PS5 at $599.99. Experts like Joost van Dreunen, Serkan Toto, and Mat Piscatella say rising hardware costs and a shift away from subsidizing hardware toward software revenue could push next-gen prices higher, while others warn a $1,000 entry could dampen adoption. Macro pressures such as inflation, AI-driven component costs, and long supplier contracts complicate cost reductions, and Sony faces tough pricing and cross-gen strategy decisions under new leadership in a challenging economy.
New console footage of Crimson Desert shows it running on a regular PS5 at 1080p/60fps in Performance with ray tracing on low, and upscaled 4K/30fps in Quality, contrasting with the breathtaking PC footage; PS5 Pro offers better options, but the base PS5 version appears more ordinary, suggesting hype around PC graphics may not translate to consoles.
Nihon Falcom announced Dragon Slayer Project, a tentatively titled console game to celebrate its 45th anniversary; no genre, platforms, or release date were disclosed. The piece also recounts the Dragon Slayer series’ history, noting its 1984 PC start and its influence on later series like The Legend of Heroes and Trails.
Analyst Serkan Toto of Kantan Games predicts Xbox Project Helix could launch with a base price near $900 (potentially higher for a premium model), arguing it won’t be cheaper than rivals like PS5 Pro or Xbox Series X 2TB, amid RAM shortages and strong competition from Sony and Valve’s Steam Machine.
A new report suggests Sony is contemplating delaying the PS6 launch to 2028 or 2029, potentially extending the PS5/PS5 Pro lifecycle; analysts cite supply-chain realities, costs, and the current generation’s longevity as reasons for delaying, while gamers react with mixed acceptance.