This console generation marks a bit of a departure from what we are used to so far- unlike previous generations, where a console was released, and then it remained as a fixed spec closed box for the entirety of its lifespan, this generation is seeing Microsoft and Sony both attempting to release incrementally improved hardware iteratively built upon their existing consoles with the PS4 NEO and the Xbox One Scorpio.
This is a dramatic change from how things have been done so far- but Bradan Dotson, Production/Marketing Manager of VRWERX (the team behind Paranormal Activity, an upcoming VR game), expressed enthusiasm for this strategy in a recent interview with GamingBolt.
“For VR specifically, I say bring on the power,” he said. “Developing for VR requires a lot of checks and balances right now as you have to process for both eyes (although there have already been some breakthroughs in that department already). I think both [the Scorpio and NEO] are extremely promising and helpful as we continue to push the boundaries of this new medium.”
I do agree with him- for effective VR delivery, more power is needed than the existing consoles are able to deliver. Microsoft have previously explicitly stated that having a console capable of true VR is one of the reasons they made the Scorpio in he first place- so it looks like Dotson isn’t too far off the mark here, either.
The PlayStation 4 NEO is due to be announced next month at the PlayStation Meeting, with a release rumored to follow later this year. The Xbox One Scorpio is due to launch in Holiday 2017.
