Will the PS5 Tempt People to Upgrade? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Gaming
Will the PS5 Tempt People to Upgrade?
New games play on old models
By Sascha Brodsky Sascha Brodsky Senior Tech Reporter Macalester College Columbia University Sascha Brodsky is a freelance journalist based in New York City. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on September 18, 2020 10:13AM EDT Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Key Takeaways
The PS5’s launches on November 12, and is priced at $499.99 for the Blu-ray equipped version, and $399.99 for the digital-only edition.Sony gamers might have less reason to upgrade after it was reported that some PS5 games will also be release for the PS4.The PS5’s reported virtual reality (VR) capabilities could make it a particularly attractive purchase, said one video game analyst. Sony Sony’s upcoming Playstation 5 is a tempting upgrade despite its high price tag during a sluggish economy, experts say. The PS5’s November 12 launch date and price was confirmed at Wednesday’s Sony event as $500 for the Blu-ray equipped version or $400 for the digital-only edition. The new console will compete with Microsoft’s soon-to-be released Xbox Series X. However, some Sony gamers may pause before clicking the pre-order button after it was reported that some games for the PS5 will also be released for the PS4. "With the economy the way it is, people are very price conscious and so there will be a bunch of people that will delay the purchase of upgraded hardware," said Joost van Dreuenen, author of the book One Up: Creativity, Competition, and the Global Business of Video Games, in a phone interview. "What it just means is that it will just gain momentum a little slower. So the people who want to buy it, they'll buy it in the holiday season." Necessary Details
After Wednesday’s event, some developers told The Washington Post that PS5 games, including Horizon: Forbidden West and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, will also be released for the PS4. "We want to give gamers clarity, we want to give them certainty," Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO and President Jim Ryan told the Post. "We want to future proof them so that they know the console they buy will be relevant in several years’ time. It’s a considerable capital outlay, and we want to make sure people know they are buying a true next-generation console." Microsoft beat Sony by announcing the rival Xbox Series X and Series S earlier this month. The Xbox Series X and Series S will arrive on Nov. 10 for $500 and $300, respectively. There’s a bigger performance difference in Microsoft’s lineup, however. The disc-less PS5 will have the same chips and performance of the Blu-ray-equipped model, but Microsoft's Xbox Series S is less powerful than the Series X. Shortly after Wednesday’s event, Sony also revealed the prices of accessories, including $70 for a standalone DualSense wireless controller and $100 for its Pulse 3D wireless headset. Games for the PS5 will range from $50 to $70. Virtual Reality
The PS5’s VR capabilities could make the PS5 a particularly attractive purchase, said video game analyst Jennifer "Narz" Vargas, in a phone interview. While not officially announced, Sony is reportedly working on a next-generation VR headset designed exclusively for operation on the PS5. "Sony’s virtual reality accessories are eventually going to get there," Vargas said. "I don't know if it's going to be anytime soon, but I definitely can say that they're on the right track." Tomohiro Ohsumi / Getty Images Sony is also rushing to compete in the bundling department. The company on Wednesday announced the PlayStation Plus Collection, a bundle of popular PS4 games, including 2018’s God of War. Subscribers of Sony’s gaming service will be able to access the included titles for $9.99 per month. Meanwhile, Microsoft's $14.99 per month Xbox Games Pass Ultimate subscription competes by offering new titles that can be streamed or downloaded to the console or a PC. The More Things Change
Backwards compatibility is also a point in the PS5’s favor with Sony officials saying that most PS4 games will run directly on the new console. "It definitely encourages a consumer to purchase it because if, for whatever reason, they don’t want to play the newest games, they don't have to forfeit getting a console that’s got better graphics," Vargas said. Sony is targeting affluent gamers with its higher-priced PS5 compared to the Xbox, van Dreuenen said. "They serve different markets in the same way that Acura and Ferrari deal with different customers," he added. "Sony is clearly aiming for higher end, more affluent consumers that really care a great deal about the speedy high-end graphics. The Microsoft strategy is not quite as sexy as Sony's and their technology is great, but it's not quite as blisteringly fast." Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire PlayStation 6: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Which Console Is Right for You? Xbox All Access: What It Is and How to Use It How to Connect AirPods to PS5 How to Connect a PS4 Controller to a PS5 Can You Watch Movies on Sony VR? How to Sync a PS5 Controller PSVR 2: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors How to Live Stream on Twitch PlayStation Plus Collection: Price, Game List & News How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Sync PlayStation VR: What It Is and How It Works Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player? How to Use a PS5 Controller on Xbox Series X or S Sony PlayStation 5 Review: More Than Just More Powerful Xbox Series S Review: Impressive Hardware, Tiny Package Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies