The next generation of gaming doesn’t really need a second introduction with the current generation already coming to an end. The upcoming generation is set to see the likes of Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One, followed by a host of next-gen games from different developers that look to make use of the powerful processors from these consoles.
While information has been pouring in for both these consoles, there’s still a long way to go before weknow exactly what we will be getting when the consoles release. However, as of now, both companies are taking their time revealing details, while also making appearances at on-going gaming events, giving fans the hands on experience.
Here, we will only talk about Sony’s PlayStation 4, specifically, what we are still expecting from the console. Sony has already confirmed about the contents of the box and how things will work out, but it’s the finer details that we are concerned about.
Here’s a list of three such features we're still hoping Sony will shed some light on:
Gaikai integration: For those who are still not sure as to what the function of Gaikai is and what it has to do with Sony’s new console, Sony acquired Gaikai’s streaming technology for the PS4, which was later confirmed by Gaikai founder David Perry at Sony's PlayStation 4 event. There, he confirmed that the new PlayStation will use that technology to stream games over the internet.
While Sony has already confirmed that Gaikai will be available for the PS4 in 2014 and will support a number of titles, as of now, there’s no clear sign from the company as to how it will work for the console, or what we can expect when the tech collaborates with titles. Although Gaikai is a known distributor for small time indie titles, Sony feels that there’s still some time left before it officially reveals something new related to the tech. But one thing’s for sure: This will be an evolution as far as cloud-based gaming is concerned.
Video sharing and management: One of the most intresting and attaractive things about the upcoming PS4 is the option for video sharing directly to popular social networking sites. While all that sounds quite impressive, we are still waiting to find out how this feature will work, and how the overall content will be managed. We don’t know what the time limit is for each video, or if there even is a time limit, for example.
Although Sony has managed to bag a bigger score with the sharing feature, it’s still wrong to expect that we will be allowed to do and load just anything via the feature. It goes without saying that Sony, in time, will introduce some time or content limit for sharing, or maybe it will just leave that decision to the developers and sharing limits will vary for different titles. All that (and more) we are still waiting to find out.
Dualshock 4 and Six Axis integration: The new DualShock 4 is easily a step up from the previous generation PS controllers as far as features and functionality are concerned, and Sony has also made it clear that the new sensitive, six-axis motion system will have a role to play. However, there’s just one problem: exactly what role will it have on titles? Sony hasn’t clearly mentioned anything about the as well.
It is quite obvious that PS4 is one of the highly anticipated gaming consoles set for an arrival later this year, but unless Sony goes clear on a few of its policies, there will always be doubt of suspicion. Let’s hope we get more information on these in the coming days.