PS4 Won't Require A Constant Internet Connection

Steven Bogos

The Taco Man
Jan 17, 2013
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PS4 Won't Require A Constant Internet Connection


Sony Worldwide Studios boss debunks another PS4 rumor.

Some rumors have been floating around that the PS4 and the next Xbox will require a Eurogamer [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/121938-Rumor-Next-Xbox-Will-Require-Constant-Internet-Connection] a less wishy-washy answer regarding just how dependent the console will be on having an internet connection.

When asked if the PS4 needed a constant connection to work, he replied "You can play offline, but you may want to keep it connected. The system has the low-power mode - I don't know the official term - that the main system is shut down but the subsystem is awake. Downloading or updating or you can wake it up using either the tablet, smartphone or PS Vita." When further pressed on whether those features were optional or not, Yoshida said "Oh yes, yes, you can go offline totally. Social is big for us, but we understand there are some people who are anti-social! So if you don't want to connect to anyone else, you can do that."

While his answer does seem to suggest that you can completely disconnect from all the social aspects, his response does a good job of assuring gamers that you won't need to be online to use the new console. However, Sony really seemed to push the online functionality of the system at its recent event, boasting that it can download updates and scan for new content while in the suspend state.

Games that require a constant internet connection have typically experienced backlash in the past. According to Sony, around 20% of PS3 consoles [http://venturebeat.com/2012/06/07/trash-talk-from-sony-game-executive-our-competitors-are-losing-the-plot-interview/] sold have never been taken online.

Source: Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-21-playstation-4-does-not-require-an-internet-connection]

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Hairless Mammoth

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Jan 23, 2013
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So the they didn't pull the trigger to this gun aimed at their foot. Just please tell me that Yoshida understands that some people don't connect their PS3 because they can't, either because of slow internet or non at all. His statement worries me that some execs in a major tech company can think everyone who has anything electronic more advanced than an amiga has high speed internet, and that gives them the idea that they can release more and more things that require an internet connection with little to no benefit or even a hindrance to the consumer. *Cough*Ubisoft*Cough
 

gigastar

Insert one-liner here.
Sep 13, 2010
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Im not sure "anti-social" were the right words to use there, but either way its good to know that the consolde has no more DRM than its predecessor does.
 

DrunkOnEstus

In the name of Harman...
May 11, 2012
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I never thought that it would. Having what is essentially "console/system based" DRM would be incredibly reckless and would be a gigantic PR fiasco, as well. Imagine the heat about Diablo 3 applying to a piece of hardware that you bought, but can't use because it can't check in. And like the OP says, you can cut your sales by 20% out of the gate, too. I couldn't imagine someone giving that the OK.
 

tautologico

e^(i * pi) + 1 = 0
Apr 5, 2010
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trty00 said:
*upon hearing news of no backwards compatibility*

"GRRR!"
Sony had little choice in this matter, because they practically had to switch to a more standard hardware architecture, but that meant backwards compatibility could only be provided at a high cost. In the long run, I think it's a good tradeoff, although it may be problematic for us gamers in the transition (and I say that as a PS3 owner with a good number of games).
 

Roxas1359

Burn, Burn it All!
Aug 8, 2009
33,758
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trty00 said:
*upon hearing news of no backwards compatibility*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing news that used games will be allowed*

"YAY!"

*upon hearing news that the PS4 won't recognize PS3 controllers*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing this*

"YAY!"

Do you want me angry or happy? Make up your mind Sony!
I feel conflicted now. Looks like I am gonna be getting the PS4 after all, but not for a while.

OT: Thank goodness that this just turned out to be a rumor. If it were true then I'd definitely not get the PS4 as I don't always have an internet connection.
 

StriderShinryu

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Dec 8, 2009
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I just hope that it's not an on or off binary choice. Some of the online aspects sound very cool, and I have the net access to support them, but others are totally useless to me. Rather than just going full offline, I hope I'll be able to pick and choose what aspects I want online and what ones I don't.
 

Kirov Reporting

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Jan 12, 2013
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That read to me a little more like he was saying "You don't have to be signed into any social platforms", not necessarily "You don't have to be online".

Just me?
 

VanTesla

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Apr 19, 2011
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trty00 said:
*upon hearing news of no backwards compatibility*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing news that used games will be allowed*

"YAY!"

*upon hearing news that the PS4 won't recognize PS3 controllers*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing this*

"YAY!"

Do you want me angry or happy? Make up your mind Sony!
I feel the same way and decided I will not pass any final judgement until it comes out and after I play it at a friends house and decide if I will buy or not.
 

LordMonty

Badgerlord
Jul 2, 2008
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Too be honest this all is ok as expected and will keep the masses happy for now :) as long as xbox does the same everyone will be happy.
 

Groenteman

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Mar 30, 2011
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Am I the only one who noticed that that globe is mirrored?

Oh and yeah, turns out console manufacturers are not suicidal! Suprise suprise. (no sarcasm, no realy! well maybe a little.)
 

Little Gray

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Sep 18, 2012
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Well that is one more idiotic rumor quashed.

tautologico said:
trty00 said:
*upon hearing news of no backwards compatibility*

"GRRR!"
Sony had little choice in this matter, because they practically had to switch to a more standard hardware architecture, but that meant backwards compatibility could only be provided at a high cost. In the long run, I think it's a good tradeoff, although it may be problematic for us gamers in the transition (and I say that as a PS3 owner with a good number of games).
Thats what the ps3 sitting next to your tv is for.
 

ScruffyMcBalls

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Apr 16, 2012
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Well this pretty much seals the deal for me, I'll be picking one up come the Holiday season. From what I'm seeing the PS4 will wind up essentially being an extremely powerful PS3, especially for myself since I probably won't be using the social features (which I will admit do look kinda cool, just not my thing).
Good move on Sony's part, a demand for internet access would've tanked this console before it ever got to manufacturing.
 

FalloutJack

Bah weep grah nah neep ninny bom
Nov 20, 2008
15,489
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trty00 said:
*upon hearing news of no backwards compatibility*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing news that used games will be allowed*

"YAY!"

*upon hearing news that the PS4 won't recognize PS3 controllers*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing this*

"YAY!"

Do you want me angry or happy? Make up your mind Sony!
The lesson to be learned here is that nothing is definite until the product is released, and that this is all deliberately done to stir up controversy while their unfinished product takes an assessment of how the gaming crowd willl react to it with various and unsubstantiated news bites. The source could lie to get a feel for the market.
 

Frostbyte666

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Nov 27, 2010
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Am I the only one feeling insulted by the anti-social comment? When I use my console, it is to play games not to chat to people. If I want to chat to people, I go out and talk to them. Though I will say that a constant internet connection would be shooting themselves in the foot. Still no incentive for me to look forward to any of the new consoles and that insult hasn't endeared me to your ps4 sony.
 

socialmenace42

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May 8, 2010
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As a person who rarely plays games with others I'm not sure I like being referred to as 'Antisocial'. Doesn't hit me right.

Ah well, since I'm never gonna buy the PS4 it's not realy a big deal
 

Lunar Templar

New member
Sep 20, 2009
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trty00 said:
*upon hearing news of no backwards compatibility*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing news that used games will be allowed*

"YAY!"

*upon hearing news that the PS4 won't recognize PS3 controllers*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing this*

"YAY!"

Do you want me angry or happy? Make up your mind Sony!
well least they have you at neutral and not 'against', so there's that at the very least
 

Revnak_v1legacy

Fixed by "Monday"
Mar 28, 2010
1,979
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trty00 said:
*upon hearing news of no backwards compatibility*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing news that used games will be allowed*

"YAY!"

*upon hearing news that the PS4 won't recognize PS3 controllers*

"GRRR!"

*upon hearing this*

"YAY!"

Do you want me angry or happy? Make up your mind Sony!
Why are all the things that made you happy essentially just them not deciding to fuck you over? I don't get happy when someone decides not to gouge my eyes out, I see no reason to get happy when Sony decides not to fuck over everybody without an Internet connection. At best I'm relieved.