PS Plus Classics & Starfield Delay Analysis
PlayStation Plus Relaunch and Classic Catalog
The team discusses the upcoming PlayStation Plus tiers, specifically focusing on the classic games catalog. While the inclusion of digital legacy purchases for PS1 and PSP titles is a major, positive step toward consumer friendliness resembling Microsoft’s approach, the initial game lineup is perceived as underwhelming.
• Lack of curation: The selection feels disjointed and lacks iconic "system sellers" like Ridge Racer.
• Remastering Confusion: Significant questions remain regarding the integration of PS4 remasters into the classics tier and the quality of existing PS2-on-PS4 emulation.
The Last of Us Remake Rumors
Discussion centers on reports of a native PlayStation 5 remake of The Last of Us.
"I don't think that this is a good candidate for a remake. This is a game that's still reasonably modern."
• The hosts debate the necessity of the project, suggesting it may serve as an internal proving ground for Naughty Dog to refine their PS5 development pipeline in a way that The Last of Us Remastered did for the PS4 transition.
Industry Delays: Starfield and Redfall
With the shift of Starfield and Redfall to 2023, the hosts analyze the state of the industry.
• Strategic Impact: While a blow to the 2022 calendar, both hosts agree that avoiding a broken launch (similar to Fallout 76) is paramount.
• Development Reality: There is a consensus that current game development cycles are becoming increasingly unsustainable, requiring massive staffing and extended timelines that make the "traditional" rapid-fire sequel model obsolete.
Technology: Hitman 3 and FSR 2.0
• Hitman 3 Ray Tracing: The team breaks down the high technical requirements for the upcoming update, noting it appears designed around advanced hardware traversal shaders, likely optimized for high-end GPUs or upcoming Intel Arc hardware.
• FSR 2.0: Performance and quality are analyzed, with the conclusion that while excellent, it remains functionally distinct from DLSS. It serves as an essential alternative for broader hardware compatibility, though it is not a "magic bullet" that will magically transform console performance.