Sony’s PlayStation is a video game console that was first released in Japan in 1994. It was released in the U.S. on 9 September 1995, and in Europe and Australia a year later. The console was hailed for its 120 frames-per-second output and 4K resolution. It is now the top selling home video game console, but what is so special about it? Let’s look at some of the things you should know before buying one.
Sony’s video game console
The PlayStation is Sony’s video game console. Released in North America in November 2013, it has become one of the fastest selling video game consoles in a 24-hour period. The PlayStation 4 was one of the first video game consoles to use the x86 instruction set, the same processor architecture found in many gaming PCs. Its processor features an 8-core AMD x86-64 Jaguar CPU, along with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. Both PlayStations use AMD’s Radeon graphics processor.
The PlayStation was a hit and paved the way for Sony’s rise in the video game industry. It sold strongly and was the first computer entertainment platform to ship over one hundred million units. It also marked a transition from cartridges to compact discs. As the first video game console to feature this technology, the PlayStation was a commercial success and led to a series of successors, including the PS1 and PS2.
It can push 4K resolution
The PlayStation 4 Pro is a gaming console that supports four-k resolution, which is higher than the 1080p resolution of the current PS4. While native 4K resolution is difficult to attain, it is possible to push it with the PS4 Pro. Even strong gaming PC setups are unable to reach this high resolution. In the meantime, the PS4 can push 4K resolution via streaming video. Sony is hoping that it will make this technology more accessible to PC gamers.
While Sony claims that its PlayStation 5 supports 4K resolution, early feedback from game press has been mixed. Some of the most impressive features of the PS4 Pro include the ability to simulate light bounces, a super-fast SSD, and support for HDR. However, the system can only deliver on two of these promises consistently. That said, it would still be a huge leap forward from the PlayStation 4.
It can output 120 frames per second
When you’re gaming, a game with 120 frames per second is much smoother than one with 60 FPS. This increased frame rate reduces input lag, which is important in competitive games. However, it will require additional hardware. That’s why we’ll take a look at what happens when a game is run at 120 FPS. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of 120 FPS.
Firstly, a game that’s in 4K resolution is going to be much smoother. You’ll want a 120 Hz connection. This will ensure smoother graphics and better pans around environments. It’s worth keeping in mind that 120Hz is only possible if the monitor and television can keep up with the video resolution. The PS5 is capable of outputting 120 fps at 1080p, while the Xbox Series X is capable of delivering the same resolution at 4K.
It has a monthly subscription model
It is not known when Sony plans to introduce a monthly subscription service for its PlayStation gaming system, but it has been hinted that it will include several tiers. Initially, the PlayStation Plus subscription service is a free game portal, but it is rumored to include additional benefits such as cloud storage and online multiplayer. Later, the service may also include a premium tier with higher-quality games.
PlayStation Now is the originator of modern console cloud gaming. Sony acquired the assets of long-defunct OnLive, the PC cloud gaming startup. PS Now, however, was less successful than its rivals. In its efforts to improve cloud gaming, PlayStation acquired OnLive, the developer behind PC-based cloud gaming. However, PS Now did not live up to the expectations it had set for itself. PlayStation Now, while a decent service, is not yet as good as rivals.
It’s a true generational leap
It’s been seven years since Sony and Microsoft released the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. In the same time span, sales of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 have doubled, and the latter has sold more than 113.5 million units worldwide. Though Microsoft no longer reports sales figures, analysts believe the number of Xbox One units sold to be more than 50 million. Xbox is still a profitable division, and last quarter, revenue from content and services jumped 30%.
The new PS5 has an SSD and is 100 times faster than its predecessor, the PS4. The SSD speeds vary based on compression efficiency, but this is more than 100 times faster than the PS4. A 500-800MB/s SATA SSD would have been a big step forward in speed, but Sony went further. The PS5’s SSD is so much faster than that, it’s hard to believe it’s still a PlayStation console.
It’s hard to find
The PlayStation 5 was released in November of 2020, but supply quickly sold out. Gamers battled bots to grab the limited supply of PS5s in stores. Even several months after launch, it’s still difficult to find the PlayStation 5 – and the retail market has inflated prices even more. This is probably because the console doesn’t sell cheaply. While the digital version of the PS5 runs about $400, the Blue-ray model is around $500, and retailers mark them up to seven hundred dollars.
A shortage in chips in the PS5’s processor caused a worldwide chip shortage, making it hard to find the console. The demand for gaming tech surged as a result of a pandemic, and the shortage of chips made it even more difficult to ramp up production. Many consumers had to resell their old consoles for a fraction of their value. However, a PS5 is still harder to find than its predecessors.