PS5 Pro Rumors, Black Myth Wukong & Konami Remakes

The PlayStation 5 Pro Outlook

The panel dives into the latest PlayStation 5 Pro leaks, which suggest a design that is visually similar to the current Slim model but with a noticeable increase in height and thickness. While the lack of a bundled disk drive remains a major point of contention and uncertainty, the team highlights several key takeaways:

• Design Considerations: The revised console design appears to maintain compatibility with existing faceplates and the attachable disk drive, potentially clever engineering rather than a purely aesthetic choice.
• Market Positioning: Expectations are for a niche, high-end enthusiast product, rather than a mass-market replacement. Pricing remains a top concern, with the panel speculating around the $600 range.
• The Mark Cerny Factor: As with the original PS5 launch, the team believes a technical presentation by Mark Cerny is crucial to communicate the value of features like PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) and machine learning capabilities to the public.

Technical Analysis: Black Myth Wukong & Xbox

The discussion shifts to the technical hurdles surrounding Black Myth: Wukong, particularly the delay for the Xbox Series X|S version. The team explores common theories, ranging from technical debt to potential partner agreements.

"There are good Series S versions and there are bad ones. And certainly if they cut out Lumen GI, that would indicate a game to me that's starting to not really look like Black Myth Wukong is supposed to look like."

• Memory Constraints: The Unreal Engine 5 title faces severe memory limitations on the Series S. Technical analysis suggests that while a version is viable, it would require significant, aggressive compromises to visual features like GI and texture resolution to run smoothly.
• Performance Realities: The base console versions, particularly on PS5, highlight the challenges developers face balancing ambitious lighting with frame rate caps, pointing to a need for more console-level optimization support.

Konami Remakes: Metal Gear Solid Delta & Silent Hill 2

The panel examines the Konami efforts to modernize Metal Gear Solid Delta and Silent Hill 2 using Unreal Engine 5:

• Metal Gear Solid Delta: A highly faithful remake that plays it safe by retaining original camera and motion capture data. While the controls have been modernized, the balance of the level design remains inherently linked to the 2004 original.
• Silent Hill 2: Bloober Team has taken a bolder approach here. The environment design, specifically the use of volumetric fog and Lumen GI, is praised for capturing the dreamlike, oppressive atmosphere of the original, even if combat animations and facial fidelity remain contentious points.

Industry Trends: Frame Rates and Future Tech

Finally, the podcast addresses community concerns regarding 30 FPS targets, such as in the upcoming Avowed.

• 30 FPS vs. 60 FPS: The panel suggests that when developers budget their entire visual aesthetic—including lighting and post-processing—around a 30 FPS update, it can lead to a more stable and visually dense title than forcing a 60 FPS performance mode that sacrifices stability and image quality.
• Intel in Consoles?: The team discusses the implausibility of Intel entering the console market as a supplier, citing maturity of drivers, die efficiency, and strong established commitments to AMD by current manufacturers.