IT After Hours: True Next Generation Gaming with the PlayStation 5

If you are currently trying to buy a Next-Gen console right in time for the holidays, GOOD LUCK!
Trust me, you'll need it.

This is all thanks to the ordeal of pre-ordering, which has been an absolute nightmare. Add on the issues of scheduled deliveries gone missing, and you're set to have a truly immersive Next-Gen frustration. But, sooner or later you too shall receive the all new latest and greatest in the console world. (Exact dates not clear)

PS5 (barely) in a cabinet

In the meanwhile, let's quickly glance over this behemoth of a machine! It's quite big in size (15.4 in x 10.24 in x 4.09 in to be exact). Good luck fitting it into your cabinet! Sony clearly wanted it to be a bold statement piece in the room.

There are TWO PS5 versions (PS5 Digital $399 | PS5 $499). The only difference being the Digital version has no Blu-Ray optical drive, making it aesthetically more symmetrical and a $100 cheaper. Besides that the guts, storage and every other hardware component is the exact same. 

Microsoft seems to have taken a much different approach with their Next-Gen Consoles.

The PS5 supports a base resolution of 4K 120 FPS (variable), and has the option for 8K 60 FPS compatibility (future update). It supports HDR 10, a whole new way of hearing in game sounds with 3D Audio, and Ray Tracing rendering support for more life-like and realistic graphics. 

The DualSense controller has been reimagined from the ground up, and when you play Sony's Astro Play Room game/demo you truly feel the Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers fully immerse you into the virtual world you're in. More games will start tapping into these offerings soon.

In simple speak, it'll look, sound and feel like true Next-Gen gaming. Although you don't need to upgrade your TV, in order to experience true Next-Gen be sure your TV has 4K HDR. The PS5 ships with an HDMI 2.1 cable, so you won't need any new cables.

The custom created SSD can transfer data at lightning speeds of 5.5GB/sec. It is worth knowing that out of the box only 675GB of useable space is available. Users will be able to upgrade it through an NVME slot later and we should be receiving more options relatively soon.

Sony has built upon the PS4 user interface, but has redesigned it to be easier to navigate and more user friendly. The PS5 can also act as your entertainment center by playing your favorite movies, shows and music.

If you're ever planning on playing online, you will need to get PSN+ ($60/year). One of the added benefits being, you receive complimentary PS4 games to play, but compared to Microsoft Game Pass it's nowhere close in terms of games and feels like more of an after thought from Sony.

It is worth noting that the current PS5 game catalog is significantly sparse. It also has limited backwards compatibility and not many games tap into its numerous Next-Gen features.

However, in the coming years you will be seeing an uptick in games that tap into all the offerings of a PS5.

If you really think about it, gaming consoles are a great value proposition. For around $500, you get 7+ years of fully supported gaming before having to upgrade.

Now that I've convinced you to get one, GOOD LUCK! We don't know when the next drop is, but you can keep track of stock across all online retailers here.

Saandhyarag Sasidhar
Web and Media Specialist
Web and Digital Strategies

IT After Hours: A New Generation of Xbox

 

A new generation has begun. It's been 7 years since the Xbox One, the last generation of Xbox, hit the market. Microsoft takes a special approach to this generation though, releasing two separate consoles right out of the gate. Let's dig into the details.

Xbox Series S

The cheaper of the two, the Series S, features a lower price point at the cost of lower specs. Priced at $299, the series S is the more budget friendly option. 

The smaller size of the Series S is appealing to a lot of gamers as well, as it easily fits into any cabinet. The slimmer, shorter, and lighter Series S weighs a mere 4.25 pounds.

As we continually move towards a fully digital future, the Series S axes the optical disc drive. Now this can be beneficial in terms of saving space and money, and digital games are widely available. However with the limited storage out of the box you will need to upgrade, and the 1TB Seagate storage expansion costs a whopping $220. Making the overall cost a lot closer to the bigger sister the Series X.

If you are planning on having multiple gaming consoles, this is definitely a great way to dip your toes into the Xbox world. 

Xbox Series X

The better performing and bigger console, the Series X, comes in at $499. It outperforms the Series S in multiple categories, so you get what you pay for.

The biggest improvement of the new generation is the load times. Review after review shows that the load times between the home screen and the game menu is exponentially quicker than the Xbox One. There's also a pretty neat feature called 'Quick Resume' that comes in handy when you want to switch between games.

Another improved feature is the noise level of the console. Though the Xbox One has been reputably loud, the fan and cooling system of the Series X is near silent. It’s difficult to judge the dust build-up's impact on the noise and fans in just a few weeks since its release, but there hasn't been any immediate causes for concern (except for the fake smoke fiasco).

Microsoft has stuck to the tried, tested and true Xbox controllers and have very slightly changed the controllers. Along with the addition of features like Smart Delivery for Games, 3D Spatial Audio, and Enhanced Backwards Compatibility for Xbox One, 360 and Original games.

Another great addition to the lineup has been the release of Microsoft Game Pass for $14.99/month. This gives you the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, along with access to 100+ games from day one, with new titles being added regularly, and EA Play tacked on.

Overall, the Xbox Series X outperforms the Series S, but at a higher up front cost. Our recommendation is to always get the latest and the greatest, if you're trying to get your order in, good luck! Here's a tracker tool that we've used in securing the console.

Tyler Parker + Saandhyarag Sasidhar

Web & Digital Strategies

IT After Hours II: Xbox Series X

Xbox Series X Model

IT After Hours II: Xbox Series X

The next generation of console gaming is has been introduced with the Xbox Series X. Microsoft is set to showcase the console and it's game play Thursday, May 7th at 8:00 A.M. on Inside Xbox.

It's been almost 7 years since Microsoft release the Xbox One, and now they're leading off the next generation; with PlayStation announcing their next generation shortly after the Series X.

Advertised as the most powerful console ever, the Series X resembles a computer tower with a tall, vertical design. Microsoft promises minimal load times between games, and a new feature called "Quick Resume" which enables players to seamlessly switch between multiple titles and resume instantly from where they last left off. This is a huge step, as the loading times for games have increased with the size of the games.

This, combined with 4k graphics, more storage than ever, backwards compatibility, and a whisper-quiet cooling fan gives Microsoft a serious edge over it's competitors.

While Sony remains discreet with the PlayStation 5, Microsoft is set to release the Series X for Holiday 2020.

We are avid gamers here at IT, and continue to enthusiastically keep up on the latest and greatest in the gaming world.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies