Gone are the days where a new console generation is expected to bring a game-changing amount of new technical capabilities, according to Akio Sakamoto, chief technical officer at Kojima Productions. The developer said the difference between the PS4 and PS5 “isn’t so great” but at least makes development “more efficient.”
In an interview with Edge Magazine about Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, which will be released on PS5 in June, Sakamoto compared the experience of developing for the two latest PlayStation generations. Where current-generation consoles used to bring major upgrades–just look at the difference between the original PlayStation and the PS2–the latest generational upgrade doesn’t have as much impact on what developers can achieve.
DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH | Official Release Date Reveal And Pre-Order Trailer
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“The most obvious improvement from a technological point of view is the reduction in loading times, but to be honest, the difference between the two hardware systems isn’t so great,” Sakamoto says. “It’s more a case that on PS5 there are more efficient ways of arriving at similar goals.”
“Having said that, our artists are less restrained to create the world, without having to come up with level workarounds,” Sakamoto adds, but continues to explain why this isn’t always a good thing. “But of course this freedom has had knock-on effects, and technical challenges for the programmers. In some ways, it’s created an environment where the artists are now out of control.”
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has previously spoken about the need for console manufacturers to move past competing on performance alone, saying, “We’re at the stage of hardware development that I call: ‘Only dogs can hear the difference.'” Both Sony and Microsoft are reportedly already developing their next generations of consoles, and one report has suggested Microsoft may be looking to shake things up with the addition of a handheld device, following Nintendo’s lead in innovating on form factor over performance.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach releases for the PS5 on June 26. The upcoming game has been well-received by test audiences–to creator Hideo Kojima’s chagrin, as he has said he wishes the game would be a little more controversial.
