After months of waiting, Sony has finally confirmed the release date and the name of its next console, which will be none other than PlayStation 5. Yes, it’s not a surprise knowing that the Japanese company’s consoles were always numbered, never a 'Super', 'Mega' or 'Ultra'. The confirmation was made via Twitter, along with some details about what the next generation from Sony will bring. What will PlayStation 5 bring new? Well, from Wired many of the rumors and speculations have been confirmed, and these are:
The Arrival of Solid-State Drives
The first thing to consider is that it will have an SSD, which will help considerably with the console’s loading times. Another interesting detail regarding storage is that games will not be large blocks of data, but can be divided into segments. For example, we will be able to install modes individually. If we only want the campaign or multiplayer mode, that will be possible. The same procedure will be used for uninstallation.
100GB Optical Discs and 8K Resolution?
The disc reader is another surprise of this PS5. According to information that emerged from Wired, physical games will use 100GB optical discs that will be inserted into an optical drive that will also serve as a 4K Blu-ray player. These 100GB discs are a novelty and do not yet have an official name, although the name 'Archival Disc' is being considered. Sony and Panasonic have been working on this new type of disc for some years, which could be fundamental for the 8K resolution promised by Mark Cerny, architect of the PS4 and of Sony’s new console.
The New DualShock with Haptic Feedback
The controllers will have haptic response, replacing the classic 'rumble' (vibration) system. This system offers much greater immersion, which can be seen in high-end steering wheels for some years. This will give us a sense of realism, since what the character does in any context will have an effect on our handling of the controller. If we are on an ice rink, the joystick will simulate that context. It will also have new speakers and USB-C connection, as well as battery improvements.
Ray Tracing Technology
The last section has to do with ray tracing, or as it is popularly known, Ray Tracing. This new version of PlayStation will have support for this visual aspect via hardware and not by software, as had been speculated. This rendering technique aims to simulate the way light bounces off objects, creating shadows, reflections and lighting effects much more realistic than the technologies used so far.
Counting Down to Launch
Finally, the launch date will be for late 2020. Most likely it will take place in November for the holiday season, but we will have to wait to see what Microsoft will do with its new console. It seems that the path Sony is taking is the right one, and we will receive more information as we get closer to the date.
