Giant Bomb and Eurogamer have revealed new information about the unannounced – but increasingly likely – upgraded version of the PlayStation 4 which the sites say is codenamed “NEO”.
The updated hardware will offers improved performance and graphics, with 4K resolution being possible.
NEO will include superior CPUs and GPUs as well as extra memory, according to the reports. The new PS4 will boost the CPU’s GHz from 1.6 to 2.1 while the GPU will improve from an AMD GCN with 18 CUs at 800 MHz to an AMD GCN with 36 CUs at 911 MHz. The memory increase will be from 8 GB GDDR5 at 176 GB/s to 8 GB GDDR5 at 218 GB/s. These increases will offer users improved resolution and help to stabilise frame rates.
The upgraded PS4 will support 4K output but games will not be required to support the resolution, according to the reports. Sony is currently sending dev kits to developers along with tips on how to upscale games to 4K.
Crucially, the NEO will not offer any exclusive games in order to avoid splitting the userbase. Instead, all games made after October will need to include both a “base mode” and a “NEO mode”. NEO mode will unlock the graphical and performance boosts available on NEO systems. Developers will not be allowed to create games that run only on NEO nor will they be allowed to develop NEO-exclusive modes or gameplay features.
Developers of older PS4 games will be able to patch in NEO mode compatibility.
There will be no division between the online communities of the base and NEO PS4s either and users of both systems will have the same home screen and PlayStation Store.
Information on when the NEO version of the PS4, including when the system will launch and its price, may come at E3 in June.