An incredibly rare piece of gaming history is up for auction right now and guess who is trying to buy it for their ridiculous-sounding attempt at game conservation? Oculus founder Palmer Luckey tweeted last night that he was the top bidder for an incredibly rare Nintendo Playstation that is currently being auctioned by Heritage Auctions.
The Nintendo Playstation on auction, which as of publishing has reached bidding at $350,000, is an incredible piece of gaming history. Six years before Sony launched the disc-based Sony Playstation in 1994 Sony and Nintendo entered into a partnership to develop a new disc-based gaming console. This was 1988, only six years after the Compact Disk format was launched and two years before Philips would introduce its disastrously received Philips CD-i system.
CDs were a brand new medium in many respects. Nintendo already had the Super Nintendo in development but agreed to work with Sony to develop a CD-based add-on (think Sega CD), that would rely on Sony’s proprietary Super Disc format. The problem was Sony seemed to have all the power in the partnership. At CES 1991, Sony revealed the Nintendo Playstation add-on and then got a huge surprise. Nintendo had gone behind Sony’s back and formed a partnership with Philips as well.
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The Sony and Nintendo partnership soon crumbled. (The Philips/Nintendo partnership would also fail to create a CD-based system, but would create a series of super terrible Zelda games for the CD-i.) Nintendo Playstation developer consoles became huge rarities—to the point that when one was discovered in a bankruptcy auction in 2015 it was thought to be the only one in existence. That same console is currently the one up for auction, so you can see how it would be prized not just by collectors, but by historians and museums as well.
Palmer Luckey bemoaned the auction on Twitter last night and asked which “nutters” were bidding against him. When asked why he was bidding, Luckey announced that he was attempting to digitize and preserve older gaming systems for VR so that he could, at some time far, far, far into the future have the ability to play old games and consoles in a VR setting.
It’s a neat concept, but there are these things called “museums,” which have a much more reliable foundation for preservation than a single private citizen with cash to burn. Museums are large organizations with a mission to preserve history using the best practices crowdsourced by curators and historians. Typically, museums are considered preferable to one billionaire with a penchant for Hawaiian shirts because conservation of history is their primary job and they’re usually pretty good at it. Unlike a single billionaire, they’re not governed by mercurial whims and have numerous safeguards to ensure preservation. They also, you know, allow access to the pieces of history they conserve instead of locking everything in a bunker and waiting until VR is mature. And let’s keep in mind that this particular billionaire has a habit of disappearing.
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Game historian and NYU professor Laine Nooney pointed this out to Luckey in a tweet.
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Luckey responded as you might expect, telling the historian she was “wrong, full stop.”
When pressed on the matter, Luckey proceeded to say he had “done more videogame preservation than almost anyone, often to a higher standard than any institution I am aware of.”
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That’s curious given the existence of noted institutions for the preservation of gaming history like the online repository textfiles.com, the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California founded in part by Gordon Bell, the Kickstarter-funded National Video Game Museum in Frisco, Texas, the Museum of Moving Image in Queens, New York, which was partially funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation, and Luckey’s fellow billionaire, Michael Bloomberg, and the Paul Allen-founded Living Computers in Seattle, Washington, which actually allows remote visitors to access older computers and operating systems online.
Luckey went on to claim that “public availability is just a matter of time” and that he is “preserving the original copies in the most advanced videogame storage facility ever constructed.”
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However, again, the difference between a private citizen like Luckey making that claim and a museum making that claim is a museum has to actually provide documentation and can’t just pull words out of its ass and expect us all to believe it simply because it has a considerable amount of money and a Twitter account.
Hoarding history and running your mouth on Twitter isn’t quite the same thing. Here’s hoping whoever does win the Nintendo Playstation auction understands that.
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
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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.
