We all know that PS5 sales are way up, spurred on by Sony actually having consoles to sell following widespread stock shortages. On the other hand, the Xbox Series X hasn’t been performing to the same standard. But that doesn’t mean that Microsoft’s console isn’t worth buying, and we’re interested to find out if you dedicated PlayStation fans are at all interested in this generation’s Xbox. Let us know and we’ll feature our favorite replies in the next Readers’ Opinion.

Our opinion

As I already own an Xbox Series X this is a bit of an irrelevant opinion, but in the bizarro world where I haven’t exhausted my disposable income on video games, the Xbox is a great proposition as a Game Pass machine.

But with that being said, Sony has quietly been making PS Plus a much better service over the past few years. There are blockbuster PS5 games like Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Demon’s Soul available on there, along with a ton of games from PlayStation’s extensive back catalog. This makes PS Plus a pretty competitive alternative to Game Pass, along with Sony having the better exclusives of the two.

You said…

In the last Readers’ Opinion we asked which PS5 games you were most looking forward to. Turns out you were looking forward to a lot, even if some felt that PlayStation’s 2023 line-up was a little vague.

Yowzagabowza wrote:

Yeah, sure, I’m looking forward to Spider-Man 2 but I’m not like, champing at the bit for it or anything. I pretty much know what to expect from the game already and I haven’t seen a single thing about it at all.

Wolverine will probably be good, too. Not sure what genre that game will be, linear or open world or like, “expanded linear”.

I wish we had an idea of what’s in store for the rest of this year, though. I don’t really like when games are announced two or three years out, but I also don’t like when there are no games coming at all.

Oh yeah, and Factions 2. Don’t care about that game at all : )

On social media, Twitter was mostly agreement that Bloodborne 2 was long overdue:

The post Readers’ Opinion: Would You Buy an Xbox Series X? appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

This month has a bunch of highly anticipated PS5 games releasing, including Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Dead Island 2, and Minecraft Legends. But what upcoming game in the PlayStation library are you most excited about? Let us know and, as always, we’ll feature our favorite reply in the next Readers’ Opinion.

Our opinion

2023 isn’t exactly a stacked year for the PS5, and it’s a little concerning that we’re in this stage of its life cycle and yet the proper blockbuster hits are spread as thin as they are. In terms of upcoming games with a confirmed release date, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a clear highlight for the year, while Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the main highlight looming in the distance.

Personally, though, I’m most interested in Everywhere, the incredibly strange-sounding “multi-world” game that has such lofty ambitions it’s difficult to not be drawn in by it. Developer Build a Rocket Boy is trying to build a platform more than it is a video game, and it suitably contains a bit of everything, from a sprawling social hub to tools on which to release fully-fledged, triple-A games. It’s either going to be a massive hit or a brutal failure, and it’s that risk which makes it so interesting.

You said…

In the last Readers’ Opinion, we asked if you would buy the long-rumored PS5 Pro, if it was to become a reality.

Your replies were mixed, with many saying that its price would be a sticking point, as would the features it offered.

“I just bought a PS5 a few weeks ago so the answer would be no to a PS5 Pro if it was released in 2024/2025,” ArturoOlivoJr replied. “I never upgraded to a Pro system before and can’t image a Pro costing $550 even $600.”

Others, meanwhile, questioned the existence of the console altogether:

“I simply do not believe a PS5 Pro is happening, and definitely not by next year’s end.

How many PS5 game are there so far? Three? Four? How many are slated to release before 2024? Maybe another two or three?

And so many people are just now being able to even find one, if they can afford it.

It was bad enough to have to release a console during the pandemic with all the restrictions and shortages, releasing another so soon after you sorted that out is actually pretty insulting.

And what would it even do? Don’t think it’ll do 4K/60 because it probably won’t and would be “up to developers” anyway.”

— yowzagabowza

The post Readers’ Opinion: What Upcoming PS5 Game Are You Most Excited to Play? appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

The patent outlines a new system that would run players’ messages through an ‘Emotion Analytics Server,’ detecting negative language and transforming it into positive messages. According to the patent, this would even include voice chat, with the system seemingly assessing the tone and content of a player’s message, before altering it to appear more pleasant.

The patent discusses “user emotion profiles” that are specified by players, and while details are kept vague, it seems that PS5 players would be able to note the type of communication they wanted to hear. For instance, if a player didn’t want to hear any negative in-game voice chat, the new system would moderate all communication in order to ensure this didn’t happen. The patent notes that this would help improve players’ mental health.

The patent was filed back in 2021, though has only recently been publicized via Gamesual. This means that Sony has been considering this system for at least two years now, though it has yet to put it into practice.

It’s unclear how exactly this would be implemented. Would voice chat simply be censored to remove the negative language, or would Sony seek to somehow alter communications between players? It’s certainly a strange patent, but if it makes players’ happier, then we’d be curious to see it in action.

In other Sony news, the company is currently preparing for a major cloud gaming push. It also recently called a regulator “irrational” for its stance on the Microsoft and Activision deal.

The post PlayStation Patent Aims to Make Toxic Gamers Seem Happier appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

April Fool’s Day is upon us, which means that every piece of news we read is going to raise suspicion. We’ve already seen Sonic the Hedgehog being murdered, and that somehow wasn’t even a prank, so who knows what’s in store for us today?

There have been many, many April Fool’s Day pranks pulled in the gaming world over the years, but we want to know your favorite. Let us know in the comments and we’ll feature our favorite replies in the next Readers’ Opinion.

Our opinion

Keeping it strictly Sony, the ‘PlayStation Flow’ was worryingly realistic.

This video — which had ‘Aprils Fools Video’ in its name, somewhat spoiling the prank right out of the gate — was posted to the official PlayStation YouTube account seven years ago, and saw the company outlining a fake new product that tracked users’ swimming data and replicated it in-game.

The ‘PlayStation Flow’ is particularly interesting because we’re not far off that right now. While translating swimming data to games such as The Last of Us would be useless, smartwatches keep track of all of our exercise data, while virtual reality is more commonplace than ever. So, Sony kinda predicted the future here.

Your opinion

In the last Readers’ Opinion, we asked if you would buy an upgraded PS5 Pro.

Most of you confirmed that you would, though many also said they would wait it out.

YES! That’s the only reason I haven’t bought a PS5 yet. I’m waiting for the PS5 Pro.

– code7bfc

I simply do not believe a PS5 Pro is happening, and definitely not by next year’s end.

How many PS5 game are there so far? Three? Four? How many are slated to release before 2024? Maybe another two or three?

And so many people are just now being able to even find one, if they can afford it.

It was bad enough to have to release a console during the pandemic with all the restrictions and shortages, releasing another so soon after you sorted that out is actually pretty insulting.

And what would it even do? Don’t think it’ll do 4K/60 because it probably won’t and would be “up to developers” anyway.

– yowzagabowza

Let us know your thoughts on this Readers’ Opinion, and you might be featured next time!

The post Readers’ Opinion: What Was the Best Gaming April Fool’s Day Joke? appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

The Sony X85K series has been given a 25% discount, reducing the model to $898 from its regular retail price of $1,199.99 — a bargain that’s great for PS5 owners, given the gaming-specific advantages that the TV provides.

Get the Sony 4K TV deal right here

All of the deals on the Sony X85K series are below:

• 50-inch ($698, 18% off)
• 55-inch ($848, 15% off)
• 65-inch ($898, 25% off)

The X85K boasts a native 120Hz refresh rate, which makes for blisteringly fast on-screen action — ideal for shooters such as Call of Duty and other competitive games.

Its 4K HDR Processor X1 also delivers a clear picture with detailed contrast and vibrant colors, which will be of great benefit to stunning PS5 exclusives such as Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok, while also future-proofing for upcoming hits such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

And of course, with this being a Sony TV, there are benefits exclusive to the PS5. While the TV’s Game Mode is useful for any system, the PS5 enjoys a few exclusive features that improve its picture quality.

For more deals, improve your PS5 audio with this discounted Sony Soundbar, too. This Sony OLED TV is also available at a big discount.

The post This Sony 65-Inch TV Ideal For PS5 Gaming Is Now Less Than $900 appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

When is the next PlayStation Showcase?

Grubb made the claim via Twitter, publishing a list of summer gaming events and the dates on which they’ll take place. This includes the Xbox Showcase and Starfield Direct, which Grubb alleges will take place after Summer Game Fest on June 11, an Ubisoft Forward presentation on June 12, and the PlayStation Showcase in a vaguely defined ‘before Summer Game Fest’ window.

This means that PlayStation Showcase will likely take place in early June, potentially at some point between June 1–7. It is still unclear what is set to be shown during this event, but there are plenty of upcoming PS5 games that players want to see more of, most notably Insomniac’s two upcoming Marvel games, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Marvel’s Wolverine.

It was previously rumored that the Showcase would take place before E3 2023, but E3 is now canceled. Grubb also noted that the Showcase would include bigger and better games after the last disappointing Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League State of Play presentation, which the Game Mess podcast host called an “obligation.”

The post Next PlayStation Showcase Could Happen Before Summer Game Fest appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Get the Sony HTX8500 soundbar deal here

You can buy the Sony HTX8500 soundbar via Amazon right here.

The Sony HTX8500 Dolby Atmos Soundbar comes with (you guessed it) Dolby Atmos and DTS X support, and dual built-in subwoofers. This means that the bass offered by this device is incredibly deep, and combining this with the 4K HDR passthrough that the soundbar offers, you’ve got one of the best overall experiences that you can get for this type of money.

In other deals, why not upgrade your TV setup to go with your new sound? Or get yourself a new discounted PS5 with God of War Ragnarok bundled so that you can play games alongside your friends?

The post Sony Dolby Atmos Soundbar Deal Enhances PS5 Audio With $100 Discount appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Get the Sony X80K deal right here

The Sony X80K TV deals can be purchased below:

• 50-inch ($528 reduced from $699.99)
• 65-inch ($678 reduced from $999.99)
• 75-inch ($898 reduced from $998)

The Sony X80K boasts intelligent TV processing via its 4K HDR Processor X1, producing a smooth picture with rich colors and detailed contrast, all enhanced by its TRILUMINOS Pro settings.

Its PS5-exclusive features improve gaming picture quality for your PS5 games, meaning that titles such as God of War Ragnarok will look stellar on its big screen. Its dedicated Game Mode provides responsive gameplay, ensuring you won’t miss a beat as you’re taking down swathes of enemies.

There are plenty of selling points outside of gaming, too. The TV is equipped with Dolby Vision to provide bright colors and deeper darks, and it boasts high-dynamic range to further increase the richness of what you’re watching, whether it’s the latest Netflix release, a Pixar film on Disney Plus, or a new PS5 exclusive.

The post Sony 75-Inch 4K TV With PS5 Exclusive Features is Now Under $900 appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

The price drop made its way online this week, with the bundle now retailing for $509.99 rather than its typical $559.99 RRP.

Get the PS5 God of War Ragnarok bundle deal

You can buy the discounted God of War Ragnarok and PS5 bundle right here via Amazon.

The bundle includes the disc-based PS5 and Santa Monica Studio’s blockbuster sequel, and is only $10 more expensive than buying the PS5 without a game. As such it’s an excellent deal for those in the market for a PS5, or those who wish to pick up a second console with one of the platform’s best games for an incredibly low price.

God of War Ragnarok is one of the PS5’s highest-rated games, with PlayStation LifeStyle giving it a 9 out of 10 in our review. We called it a “near-perfect journey” that boasted improved presentation, combat, and exploration over its predecessor.

If you’re after more deals, then you can also grab this PS5 Logitech G Pro headset for $40 off, or this SSD for a super low price of just $50.

The post PS5 God of War Ragnarok Bundle Price Drops By $50 appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Why was Left 4 Dead an Xbox exclusive in the first place?

The original Left 4 Dead and its sequel Left 4 Dead 2 were both Xbox 360 console exclusives, skipping the PS3 entirely. However, while console exclusives are now mostly the result of either Sony or Microsoft laying down cash to secure a win for their respective hardware, the reason why L4D didn’t make its way to PlayStation systems is more divisive — Valve’s founder Gabe Newell hated the PS3.

Back in 2007, Newell made his thoughts clear on Sony’s then-current-gen hardware, branding it a “waste of everybody’s time.”

“There’s nothing there that you’re going to apply to anything else,” Newell said in an interview with Edge magazine “You’re not going to gain anything except a hatred of the architecture they’ve created. I don’t think they’re going to make money off their box. I don’t think it’s a good solution.”

Considering that Left 4 Dead was released just a year later in 2008, it’s no surprise that the series didn’t its way to the Sony console given Newell’s open disdain for Sony’s hardware. Left 4 Dead 2 was also released during the PS3’s life cycle, with the PS4 launching four years later in 2013. However, Valve did go on to still release some games for the console, with Portal 2 making its way to the hardware in 2011 followed by Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2012 — which bizarrely worked with the ill-fated PlayStation Move motion controller.

Is Left 4 Dead 3 coming to PS5?

As Valve doesn’t have an exclusivity deal with Microsoft, and it avoided the PS3 simply because it didn’t want to develop on the hardware, a PS5 and potentially even a PS4 release for Left 4 Dead 3 seems likely.

The PS5 and PS4 are far easier to develop for than the PS3 — in fact, back in a GDC State of the Industry 2021 report, PS5 was the lead console in developer interest just behind PC. As developers now have far less trouble working with the PS5 than they did with Sony’s PS3, it’d be questionable for Valve to skip the best-selling current-gen console at this point.

The post Will Left 4 Dead 3 Come to PS5? How Valve’s Hatred of the PS3 Led to an Xbox Exclusive appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.