Who could be sharing a stage with the Neo?
With Microsoft’s Xbox One S now out offering a slight upgrade in graphical output over the standard console, and Project Scorpio due to release late next year, all eyes are on Sony to see what its Neo will offer in terms of power. Many rumors have been doing the rounds suggesting an October release date to fall in line with the PS4K improved software rumor. The most recent rumor (courtesy of Vice Gaming) suggested a September event would unveil the Neo, and hours later invitations to a September PlayStation meeting arrived. Everything points to this event serving as our first look at the Neo.
But what else could be in store next month?
PSVR Bundle
If what we’ve been hearing of the Neo is, in fact, true and it debuts at this event, you can bet your bottom dollar that the console is going to be toted as offering a smoother and superior VR experience in comparison to the standard PS4. If the new platform does release in October, the launch lines right up with Sony’s foray into the VR market, It’s the perfect opportunity for a bundle of hot new tech.
It would certainly make sense for Sony to announce a bundle SKU combining this much more powerful machine and the new gaming experience. While just how much it would cost and when it would drop is up in the air, considering the PSVR boasts at least $400 and the Neo is likely to cost a little more than that, a bundle could more than likely cost somewhere near $800, should such a thing ever exist.
PSVR Launch Lineup
Officially, the event is to discuss “details of the PlayStation business,” and it’s pretty safe to say that VR is an integral part of Sony’s vision for the future of PlayStation. Even if the Neo doesn’t show at the event, Sony is sure to take this spotlight opportunity to talk about PSVR and reinvigorate some hype around the tech.
One thing yet to be confirmed is just what is going to be on offer for PSVR early adopters both in terms of games and other compatible apps. We know that we’ll have the cinematic mode, and there are a bunch of ‘launch window’ titles that will release within a few set months, but day one confirmations have been lacking. With a bit of luck, we’ll come away from the event knowing just what we can expect to jump into on October 13, and perhaps some more details on upcoming, non-gaming uses for the tech, too.
PS4 Price Drop
The PlayStation 4 has been racing ahead of the competition and has been the best-selling console for consecutive months for quite some time. Regardless of whether or not Sony opts to reveal the Neo at this event, a price drop on the current console is always a possibility when discussing the PlayStation business.
If the Neo is in fact in the spotlight of the show, then a price drop on the original PS4 would be the perfect way to keep sales moving and clear existing stock as a new level of hardware enters the scene. If the Neo is still no closer to being revealed by the end of the event, a price drop on the current PS4 would help reinvigorate sales nonetheless, especially in the wake of Xbox One’s recent price cuts.
More Game Details
The future of PlayStation, regardless of whether it’s immediate or long-term, is going to be about games. Since the reveal of the PS4, it’s been Sony’s ethos to make the console the ‘best place to play’ with a heavy focus on quality lineups. Therefore, whether we see the Neo revealed, more PSVR details, a PS4 price drop, or all of the above, you can guarantee there’ll be a strong spotlight on games.
It may not be completely new game announcements, but the likes of PSVR title Robinson: The Journey, the Crash Bandicoot Remakes, and others could be there to keep fans excited throughout the duration of the event. Heck, we may even see a few more game’s for the Vita announced, though we won’t be holding our breaths.
Published: Aug 10, 2016 05:31 pm