The next PlayStation console, the PS4, may be called (or codenamed) Orbis. The next-gen Sony console rumors come from Kotaku's sources and reveal a holiday 2013 release date.
According to Kotaku's sources, Orbis will have an AMD x64 CPU and an AMD Southern Islands GPU, a high-end PC card. The Orbis would also have a resolution of 4096x2160. Most households don't have HDTVs that are capable of displaying that, yet. The Orbis will be powerful enough to play 3D games in 1080p.
That's all the good news. The bad news: The system reportedly won't be backwards compatible with PS3 titles. If you think that's surprising, then you're not going to like this. The Orbis will have some type of feature that will prevent gamers from playing used games. Supposedly, games will be purchased on a Blu-ray disc or via PSN download and only be playable on one PSN account. It's not clear how Sony would limit the use of retail copies. It's possible a used copy would only give you access to a trial of the game.
So what does Orbis mean? Wikipedia says it's a Doctor Who audio play. That doesn't help us at all unless Kaz Hirai will be the 12th Doctor. In Latin Orbis means "circle, orb, ring, disk, orbit, coil/ round / rotation." This could indicate the shape, the logo of the console. Orbis could just be the codename, similar to the Kinect's first name: Natal.
No matter what it's called, I'm going to be honest; this doesn't sound like a console I would buy. The anti-used games policy seems to punish gamers. The Orbis is rumored to be a few years away, but Song will still have a strong showing at E3 2012. Are these the features you want from the PS4?
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bunnyglomp
I love how you guys at G4 will talk about the rumors about the ps4 and lack of backwards capability and the No used games thing but refused to even post the rumors of the 720 when they came out with worst specs than last years mid range computers, no used/borrowed games and live linked CD keys
Wozman23
I buy all my games new, but I also rent a lot since I can't afford to throw 60 bucks at everything I want to play. A model that limited a disc to one console would cripple many facets of the industry. If there is some kind of method to combat used sales, I'd assume it would just be incorporating online passes into every game. That already irks people. Anything more would be lunacy.
KingGainerXan
If this became a standard, the sales of new games would drop as well. If you bought a new game & didn't like it, you could sell/trade it. If a system won't let you play used games, then there'd be no market for them. Thus, everyone would be a whole lot more picky about the games they buy, only buying (to them) must-have titles, and not taking any chances on new IPs.
I suppose there'll still be people with money to burn that'll just throw away a game (or just let it sit for eternity) after playing it / giving up on it, but I am not one of those people.
As for sharing games between friends, you still could, if they are tagged to the user ID. You'd just have to trust your friend with your account.
PDX...
Well, I only mind the "anti" used game, feature & the lack of backward compatibility( 8( ---> which I Hope won't actually manifest) - everything else seems, "fair" y-know? O.O
Spidey817
Yeah, yeah, yeah. But if Microsoft did this that "Doesn't sound like a system I would buy" line would be more along the lines of "That's just the future of games, I'm still hyped for it".
Whatever, I'm still looking forward to the PS4. Enjoy your Kinect focused 720.
PS3Darklighter
No BC I can live with but I would not buy a console that had to be always online. I refuse to waste money on something like internet for my home and I can't really bring a console to work or school every time I want to play it.
vaajtswv
If that PS4 is real, buying bargain bin games is the only way to mitigate the loss of resale or trade-in value of games. I guess game company have an affinity to high release day sales.
koolboricua
This is great news. This to me, means, more saving. Dont have to buy another crap from Sony. If they are screwing us, legit, loyal customers, then forget it. They do not deserve our hard earn cash. Every company, should be begging us to buy their products, not pissing us off with stupid ideas, that no one will benefit from.
You have no idea, how many times, my friends and I exchange games, so we can play all and save money. I will buy one, they will buy a different. Together we get to experience all games. This what makes me buy games.
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