Sony is working on a more powerful PlayStation 4 which supports 4K resolution and boasts improved graphical capabilities, according to a report from Kotaku.
Citing multiple developers who have worked with Sony, the upgraded version of the hardware contains an improved GPU which will support 4K resolution for games and increased processing power to enhance PlayStation VR titles. PSVR was recently revealed to be launching this fall.
With more powerful hardware, the PlayStation VR headset could more easily keep up with the stiff competition arising in VR gaming, with competitors such as Oculus Rift designed to work with high end PCs. It would also allow developers to explore more intense visual fidelity in their games, as the current hardware only supports 1080p output for software.
There was no word on any possible pricing or release window for the upgraded device, tentatively called “PS4.5” or “PS4K” by the cited developers. One developer labelled the device “exploratory”, implying it would be unlikely to launch this year.
Hardware refreshment mid-way through a console’s life cycle common in the industry. Sony’s previous hardware, the PlayStation 3, released a slim edition just three years after the launch of the original hardware. A super slim model followed just three years after that.
Xbox’s Phil Spencer recently discussed his belief for the future of console gaming using “upgradable hardware”, similar to that seen in the mobile phone release cycle. Nintendo also recently refreshed their 3DS line of systems with upgraded hardware under the name “New Nintendo 3DS”.
PlayStation 4 originally launched in 2013 for $399.99, which was recently cut in the U.S. to $349.99. The current console line boasts 500GB HDD space, 8GB DDR5 RAM, an 8-core “Jaguar” AMD CPU, and a 1.84 teraflop AMD Radeon GPU.
