PlayStation Boss Says One In Four PS5 Owners Didn’t Own A PS4
Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan has said that a quarter of PlayStation 5 owners never owned a PlayStation 4.
Ryan made the statement in interviews with GQ and The Washington Post to promote the announcement of PlayStation VR 2 and talk about the state of the PlayStation 5 in 2021.
"One in four of those who have bought a PlayStation 5 do not have a PS4 [...] So it’s really nice that we’re able to bring in people from outside," Ryan told GQ. This suggests that PlayStation has managed to bring a lot of new players into its ecosystem with its next-gen launch, or at least take in a lot of players who may have chosen other consoles or stuck with PC in previous generations.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/26/ps5-scalpers-used-a-loophole-to-buy-stock-before-it-was-live-in-the-uk-ign-news"]
For some context, the PlayStation 5 shipped 4.5 million units in 2020, matching the launch run of the PlayStation 4 back in 2013. Demand is still outstripping supply for the console, and Ryan told GQ that Sony is "working as hard as we possibly can" to remedy the situation, noting the semiconductor shortage and entirely-online distribution as considerations that are holding back production.
This is all part of a major news blast from Sony, as the company revealed PlayStation VR 2 earlier today, and announced in Ryan's GQ interview that more PlayStation exclusives will be coming to PC, reportedly starting with Days Gone in the Spring. Elsewhere in the same interview, we learned that Gran Turismo 7 is being pushed back to 2022.
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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN who, like Jim Ryan, is also part of the games industry Geordie massive. Follow him on Twitter.
More PlayStation First-Party Games to Come to PC, Including Days Gone This Spring
PlayStation will bring more of its first-party exclusive lineup to PC, reportedly beginning with PS4 exclusive Days Gone in spring 2021.
In an interview with GQ, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan said it was a "straightforward decision" to release more first-party PC ports. GQ's write-up includes the detail that Days Gone will be the first of those PC ports this spring, but Ryan isn't directly quoted as saying so. We've contacted Sony for confirmation on that point.
Update: Sony has now confirmed to IGN that Days Gone will arrive for PC in Spring.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/articles/guerrilla-slows-horizon-zero-dawn-pc-updates-to-focus-on-sequel"]
"I think a few things changed," Ryan replied when asked why the company had changed its tack on releasing exclusives for PC. "We find ourselves now in early 2021 with our development studios and the games that they make in better shape than they’ve ever been before. Particularly from the latter half of the PS4 cycle our studios made some wonderful, great games.
"There’s an opportunity to expose those great games to a wider audience and recognise the economics of game development, which are not always straightforward. The cost of making games goes up with each cycle, as the calibre of the IP has improved. Also, our ease of making it available to non-console owners has grown. So it’s a fairly straightforward decision for us to make."
This announcement follows in the footsteps of Horizon Zero Dawn, which Sony announced for and released for PC in 2020. Ryan explains that SIE assessed the reaction to that port in making the decision to release more ports, explaining that PC players "liked it and they bought it", and that there was "no massive adverse reaction" from PlayStation players to the game heading off of consoles. "We will continue to take mission steps in this direction," Ryan added.
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There was, of course, more evidence that Sony wanted to bring more of its first-party lineup to PC, as in Sony's 2020 corporate report, it mentioned it will "explore expanding our 1st party titles to the PC platform, in order to promote further growth in our profitability."
For more on the PC version of Horizon, be sure to check out our initial PC port analysis of Horizon Zero Dawn. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.More PlayStation First-Party Games to Come to PC, Including Days Gone This Spring
PlayStation will bring more of its first-party exclusive lineup to PC, reportedly beginning with PS4 exclusive Days Gone in spring 2021.
In an interview with GQ, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan said it was a "straightforward decision" to release more first-party PC ports. GQ's write-up includes the detail that Days Gone will be the first of those PC ports this spring, but Ryan isn't directly quoted as saying so. We've contacted Sony for confirmation on that point.
Update: Sony has now confirmed to IGN that Days Gone will arrive for PC in Spring.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/articles/guerrilla-slows-horizon-zero-dawn-pc-updates-to-focus-on-sequel"]
"I think a few things changed," Ryan replied when asked why the company had changed its tack on releasing exclusives for PC. "We find ourselves now in early 2021 with our development studios and the games that they make in better shape than they’ve ever been before. Particularly from the latter half of the PS4 cycle our studios made some wonderful, great games.
"There’s an opportunity to expose those great games to a wider audience and recognise the economics of game development, which are not always straightforward. The cost of making games goes up with each cycle, as the calibre of the IP has improved. Also, our ease of making it available to non-console owners has grown. So it’s a fairly straightforward decision for us to make."
This announcement follows in the footsteps of Horizon Zero Dawn, which Sony announced for and released for PC in 2020. Ryan explains that SIE assessed the reaction to that port in making the decision to release more ports, explaining that PC players "liked it and they bought it", and that there was "no massive adverse reaction" from PlayStation players to the game heading off of consoles. "We will continue to take mission steps in this direction," Ryan added.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=horizon-zero-dawn-pc-ultrawide-screenshots&captions=true"]
There was, of course, more evidence that Sony wanted to bring more of its first-party lineup to PC, as in Sony's 2020 corporate report, it mentioned it will "explore expanding our 1st party titles to the PC platform, in order to promote further growth in our profitability."
For more on the PC version of Horizon, be sure to check out our initial PC port analysis of Horizon Zero Dawn.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.
Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection Review
Capcom's Ghost 'n Goblins franchise has a very specific reputation. Whether you played the Arcade or NES version of Ghosts 'n Goblins, Ghouls 'n Ghosts on the Genesis, or Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts on the SNES, working through these games felt like pushing a boulder up a mountain or pulling teeth. A little over 35 years later, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection remixes and revives those games into a platformer that looks new but, perhaps unsurprisingly, embodies that same boulder-pushing, teeth-pulling gameplay. Its modern flourishes soften the blow a bit from time to time, but Resurrection is still defined by punishing, borderline cruel tactics that game designers have long-since outgrown.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is a new game, but it functionally retells the Ghosts 'n Goblins story. The basic mechanical structure of the series remains intact, too: You run and jump from left to right, throwing javelins, knives, flaming potions, and other weapons at a seemingly endless onslaught of zombies, scythe-wielding skeletons, and winged demons. Famously, you begin the level clad in armor but lose some of it every time you take a hit until you're inevitably hopping around in heart-adorned boxers.
Resurrection derives large chunks--level themes, sequences, and bosses--from previous games, most notably Ghouls 'n Ghosts. Some of the series' distinctive bosses and sequences are reimagined in Resurrection's pencil-style art, which smartly breathes a lot more color and whimsy into a series that's always felt more cheeky than spooky. Not every reference to the old games is pulled literally from an older game; some, like the now-towering gray cyclops from Ghosts 'n Goblins, are more liberal reinterpretations. Even the enemies and sequences you can trace back to a specific point in a previous game are not identical to their predecessors, and it doesn't feel like replaying a portion of another game, but it's a potent dose of nostalgia.
Continue Reading at GameSpotGhosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection Review
Capcom's Ghost 'n Goblins franchise has a very specific reputation. Whether you played the Arcade or NES version of Ghosts 'n Goblins, Ghouls 'n Ghosts on the Genesis, or Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts on the SNES, working through these games felt like pushing a boulder up a mountain or pulling teeth. A little over 35 years later, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection remixes and revives those games into a platformer that looks new but, perhaps unsurprisingly, embodies that same boulder-pushing, teeth-pulling gameplay. Its modern flourishes soften the blow a bit from time to time, but Resurrection is still defined by punishing, borderline cruel tactics that game designers have long-since outgrown.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is a new game, but it functionally retells the Ghosts 'n Goblins story. The basic mechanical structure of the series remains intact, too: You run and jump from left to right, throwing javelins, knives, flaming potions, and other weapons at a seemingly endless onslaught of zombies, scythe-wielding skeletons, and winged demons. Famously, you begin the level clad in armor but lose some of it every time you take a hit until you're inevitably hopping around in heart-adorned boxers.
Resurrection derives large chunks--level themes, sequences, and bosses--from previous games, most notably Ghouls 'n Ghosts. Some of the series' distinctive bosses and sequences are reimagined in Resurrection's pencil-style art, which smartly breathes a lot more color and whimsy into a series that's always felt more cheeky than spooky. Not every reference to the old games is pulled literally from an older game; some, like the now-towering gray cyclops from Ghosts 'n Goblins, are more liberal reinterpretations. Even the enemies and sequences you can trace back to a specific point in a previous game are not identical to their predecessors, and it doesn't feel like replaying a portion of another game, but it's a potent dose of nostalgia.
Continue Reading at GameSpotThe Simpsons: Kevin Michael Richardson Replaces Harry Shearer as Dr. Hibbert
The Simpsons actor Harry Shearer will be replaced as the voice of Dr. Hibbert by Kevin Michael Richardson.
According to Variety, Shearer voiced Dr. Hibbert for the final time in the 12th episode of Season 32, "Diary Queen," which aired in the United States on Sunday night. Richardson, who is best known for his voice work on Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, and American Dad, will take over the role of the kind-hearted family doctor in next week's episode, titled "Wad Goals."
Shearer is a veteran Simpsons voice actor, having joined the cast of the animated sitcom back in 1989. Over the years, he has provided the voices of numerous characters, including Mr. Burns, Mr. Smithers, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Kent Brockman, and many more. Shearer will continue to voice his other characters even though he will no longer play Hibbert.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/25/simpsons-producers-on-how-the-show-continues-to-predict-the-future"]
This recasting news comes after Fox declared that The Simpsons would "no longer have white actors voice non-white characters," following particular criticism of Hank Azaria's Apu voiceover. The show came under fire for the portrayal of the character in the 2017 documentary "The Problem With Apu," which explored negative stereotypes, racial microaggressions, and representations in popular culture.
Azaria went on record last year to say that he had watched the documentary and that he would no longer voice the character of Apu, the proprietor of Springfield's Kwik-E-Mart convenience store. A few months later, Azaria also stepped down from voicing Carl Carlson, Homer's co-worker at Springfield's Nuclear Power Plant. Alex Désert took over the role in Season 32, which premiered last September.
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Other animated shows have also witnessed white actors stepping down from non-white roles in recent months, with key roles being recast. Family Guy voice actor Mike Henry announced that he would no longer be playing the role of Cleveland Brown on the long-running animated sitcom. It was later announced that YouTube star Arif Zahir would be taking over the role for future episodes.
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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
The Simpsons: Kevin Michael Richardson Replaces Harry Shearer as Dr. Hibbert
The Simpsons actor Harry Shearer will be replaced as the voice of Dr. Hibbert by Kevin Michael Richardson.
According to Variety, Shearer voiced Dr. Hibbert for the final time in the 12th episode of Season 32, "Diary Queen," which aired in the United States on Sunday night. Richardson, who is best known for his voice work on Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, and American Dad, will take over the role of the kind-hearted family doctor in next week's episode, titled "Wad Goals."
Shearer is a veteran Simpsons voice actor, having joined the cast of the animated sitcom back in 1989. Over the years, he has provided the voices of numerous characters, including Mr. Burns, Mr. Smithers, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Kent Brockman, and many more. Shearer will continue to voice his other characters even though he will no longer play Hibbert.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/25/simpsons-producers-on-how-the-show-continues-to-predict-the-future"]
This recasting news comes after Fox declared that The Simpsons would "no longer have white actors voice non-white characters," following particular criticism of Hank Azaria's Apu voiceover. The show came under fire for the portrayal of the character in the 2017 documentary "The Problem With Apu," which explored negative stereotypes, racial microaggressions, and representations in popular culture.
Azaria went on record last year to say that he had watched the documentary and that he would no longer voice the character of Apu, the proprietor of Springfield's Kwik-E-Mart convenience store. A few months later, Azaria also stepped down from voicing Carl Carlson, Homer's co-worker at Springfield's Nuclear Power Plant. Alex Désert took over the role in Season 32, which premiered last September.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-30-simpsons-episodes&captions=true"]
Other animated shows have also witnessed white actors stepping down from non-white roles in recent months, with key roles being recast. Family Guy voice actor Mike Henry announced that he would no longer be playing the role of Cleveland Brown on the long-running animated sitcom. It was later announced that YouTube star Arif Zahir would be taking over the role for future episodes.
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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
Gran Turismo 7 Delayed Into 2022
Gran Turismo 7 has been delayed into 2022.
Sony has announced that the latest entry in the PlayStation-exclusive racing sim franchise, Gran Turismo 7 is now planned for a release next year, after pandemic-related production issues.
In a statement provided to GQ and confirmed to IGN, a Sony spokesperson wrote: “GT7 has been impacted by Covid-related production challenges and therefore will shift from 2021 to 2022. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s a dynamic and changing situation and some critical aspects of game production have been slowed over the past several months. We’ll share more specifics on GT7’s release date when available.”
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/11/gran-turismo-7-announcement-and-gameplay-trailer-ps5-reveal-event"]
Sony announced Gran Turismo 7 at last year's big PS5 reveal showcase in June, and while the publisher has remained relatively quiet about what's to come with the next installment, word of a potential early 2021 release window began to pop up late last year. Sadly, that's no longer a possibility.
The last entry in the series, Gran Turismo Sport, debuted in 2017 and has been supported by Polyphony Digital since.
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Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.
Gran Turismo 7 Delayed Into 2022
Gran Turismo 7 has been delayed into 2022.
Sony has announced that the latest entry in the PlayStation-exclusive racing sim franchise, Gran Turismo 7 is now planned for a release next year, after pandemic-related production issues.
In a statement provided to GQ and confirmed to IGN, a Sony spokesperson wrote: “GT7 has been impacted by Covid-related production challenges and therefore will shift from 2021 to 2022. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s a dynamic and changing situation and some critical aspects of game production have been slowed over the past several months. We’ll share more specifics on GT7’s release date when available.”
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/11/gran-turismo-7-announcement-and-gameplay-trailer-ps5-reveal-event"]
Sony announced Gran Turismo 7 at last year's big PS5 reveal showcase in June, and while the publisher has remained relatively quiet about what's to come with the next installment, word of a potential early 2021 release window began to pop up late last year. Sadly, that's no longer a possibility.
The last entry in the series, Gran Turismo Sport, debuted in 2017 and has been supported by Polyphony Digital since.
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Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.
PSVR 2 Announced
PlayStation has announced the next generation of its PSVR headset – but it won't necessarily be called PlayStation VR 2, and it won't be coming in 2021.
Sony confirmed that PSVR 2 will come to PS5, and will "connect to PS5 with a single cord to simplify setup and improve ease-of-use, while enabling a high-fidelity visual experience", It's described as "a next-gen VR system that enhances everything from resolution and field of view to tracking and input." No images have been released of the device.
The headset will also come alongside the introduction of a new PSVR controller (seemingly replacing the PS Move wands), "which will incorporate some of the key features found in the DualSense wireless controller, along with a focus on great ergonomics."
However, the headset won't be available this year: "There’s still a lot of development underway for our new VR system, so it won’t be launching in 2021," reads the blog post. "But we wanted to provide this early update to our fans, as the development community has started to work on creating new worlds for you to explore in virtual reality. "
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/06/playstation-5-review"]
In an interview with GQ, SIE CEO Jim Ryan confirmed that there is no official title for the headset, and that dev kits are "about to go out". Ryan also described it as a "completely new VR format for PS5". Ryan indicates that we'll learn more about the new headset later this year.
Work on a PSVR successor has been a bit of an open secret thanks to reports and patents showcasing PlayStation's investments in the field. Over the years Sony has filed patents for VR-compatible prescription glasses, a new potential PSVR controller (which has included research of a Valve Index-style controller, a patent to let spectators mess with players in VR, and much more. And job listings over the last year have pointed to PlayStation working on a "next-generation VR head-mounted display."
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Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.