Spider-Man is great, but we’ve definitely played this game before.
PS5 Performance Mode/Screenshot by Sean Keane/CNET
When you look back at old consoles generations, themes tend to betray themselves.
The SNES and the Mega Drive? Cartridges and neon-lit platformers. Sonic and Mario. Top down RPGs and Street Fighter. The PlayStation and the N64? Clumsy, adventurous leaps into the third dimension. Tomb Raider and Mario 64, Resident Evil and Ocarina of Time.
But writing a eulogy for the generation just passed is always trickier. Trends become more apparent as time passes, and right now, as we head into the dawning era of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, it feels like there’s little that distinguished the PS4/Xbox One consoles from previous generations. The controllers were similar, the consoles themselves were similar.
More importantly the games were similar.
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If I had to identify one trend that defined the generation of games gone by, I’d say this was the period in which big budget games — the type produced by Sony’s first-party studios or Ubisoft and EA — began to feel indistinguishable from one another. Games, even well-made games, felt like exercises in box ticking.
The problem was exacerbated, for me, by a fan-made video from Twitter creator SuhniLegend. A video designed to showcase the quality and breadth of Sony’s first-party lineup. Cutting seamlessly between games like Uncharted 4, Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War, the video was beautifully made and perfectly edited, but if you squinted hard enough you could probably convince yourself that — outside of a few unique cosmetic choices — the footage was all from one single video game.
The mono-game.
A homogeneous mishmash of styles, camera angles and mechanics. The end of video game history. Third-person, open-world adventures, interspersed with cinematics. Chasing mission markers, punching bad guys, upgrading your gear, leveling up, unlocking new attacks. God of War is more combat-focused, and Horizon has more RPG elements — but these sliders operate on the same spectrum. The same melody in a different key.
Why so sad?
Naughty Dog
It’s understandable. We know that video game budgets are spiraling out of control; that developers are working through horrific, intense crunch periods to get games like The Last of Us 2 or Cyberpunk 2077 across the line. We know that video game creation is the ultimate exercise in plate-spinning and that, inside that insane pressure cooker, it pays to think of games in terms of familiar, discrete mechanics that marketing teams and players can latch onto.
But I also believe that something was lost.
In the last generation of consoles, the majority of big-budget video games played out like Marvel movies. Well-made crowd-pleasers operating within a comfortable set of aesthetics. You could never say that games like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey or Spider-Man were bad, but very few — even game-of-the-year contenders like God of War — pushed into any new territory that disassociated players from well-worn expectations.
When I look back at the generation that was, the games that stand out are those that pushed back against the mono-game. Games focused specifically on one type of mechanic. Games that broke the rules in a way that blasted me out of the malaise of pushing the same buttons in the precise same order.
I cannot emphasize this enough: play this video game.
Mobius Digital
Games like Baba is You, a puzzle game and a satire of puzzle games all at once. Games like Outer Wilds, a pure exploration experience set inside a perfectly crafted snow globe of a universe. Games like Breath of the Wild, maybe the only big-budget game that truly subverted the tropes we’ve come to expect from the mono-game. An experience completely comfortable in its own skin, brave enough to break the rules we take for granted. Games like Return of the Obra Dinn or Disco Elysium. Games like Death Stranding — a bloated, bizarre but ultimately flawed mix of the familiar and the outright off the wall. That game might be the bravest of the lot, given the stakes involved. I didn’t enjoy every second I spent with that game, but I’m unlikely to forget it.
As we head toward this new generation of consoles spearheaded by the PS5 and the Xbox Series X and S, that brave chaotic energy is one I hope future games will aspire to recreate. We’ve invented the mono-game — maybe it’s time to break it. The indie space has always been where the majority of risks are taken, but I’d like to see more big-budget games follow that lead. See them subvert expectations instead of catering to them.
Otherwise the next generation of consoles will serve up more of the same.
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CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
