While many question the need for new consoles, significant hardware improvements remain possible. Current-generation systems like the PS5 already support 60fps in many titles, but achieving higher framerates such as 120fps is still limited. Some games even struggle to maintain 60fps due to CPU constraints, and titles like GTA6 may further highlight this limitation. With the next generation, performance modes could shift toward 120fps, while 60fps becomes the “graphics mode.” Support for 4K240 may also be technically feasible in select games, contingent on both hardware support and developer implementation.
In terms of memory, future consoles may feature 24 to 36 GiB of RAM, enabling larger and more detailed game worlds. A more powerful CPU will also facilitate more complex environments, though developer priorities will ultimately shape how these capabilities are utilized. Load times, already improved with current SSDs, could more than double with faster CPUs and PCIe Gen5 support. On the Xbox side, broader NVMe drive compatibility could replace proprietary storage solutions, offering better value and performance.
Ray tracing represents another area for growth. Current hardware struggles with demanding techniques like path tracing, but next-gen systems could make such features viable. Additionally, Microsoft appears to be moving toward a PC-console hybrid model for its next Xbox. While this may offer performance advantages—potentially 25% over the PS6—it could come at a significantly higher price. This approach may also enable access to PC-exclusive titles and improved backward compatibility, though it may invite challenges such as software piracy.
Finally, Microsoft may revisit plans for an enhanced controller, potentially bringing features in line with Sony’s DualSense. Such an update, though long overdue, would improve parity between the competing platforms.
As someone who just upgraded to a 120Hz display, the idea of 120fps becoming a standard performance mode is really exciting, especially since the summary notes how current CPUs can struggle to even hold 60fps in some titles. I’ve definitely noticed the frame drops in dense open-world games, so a generational leap focused on smoother performance would be a huge win. What kind of games do you think would benefit most from that 120fps baseline first?
I completely understand your excitement about that 120Hz display, and you’re right to point out how current CPU limitations can make even 60fps a challenge in dense games. Based on the hardware trajectory, I’d expect competitive shooters and fast-paced action titles to adopt 120fps modes first, but the real game-changer will be for open-world games like GTA6, where a more powerful CPU could make those dense environments feel incredibly smooth. It’s a great time to be watching performance-focused tech previews for upcoming titles—I’d love to hear which games you try first that really make your new display sing.
As someone who just upgraded to a 120Hz display, the idea of performance modes targeting 120fps as a standard next gen is exciting, because even now I notice some games can’t hold a steady 60fps during intense scenes. If future consoles really do double or triple the SSD speeds with PCIe Gen5, I wonder if that means we’ll see near-instant fast travel in massive open worlds like the next GTA?
That’s a great point about your new 120Hz display highlighting how some current games struggle with a steady 60fps, which is exactly the kind of limitation the article suggests next-gen CPUs will address. With the potential for PCIe Gen5 SSD speeds you mentioned, near-instant fast travel in a massive world like GTA6 does seem plausible, as the bottleneck shifts from data streaming to pure rendering and simulation. To see this tech in action today, you might check out Digital Foundry’s analysis of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which showcases how current SSDs enable seamless world-hopping. I’m curious, what games are you playing now that you feel benefit most from your 120Hz display?
As someone who just upgraded to a 120Hz display, I’m really hoping the next-gen consoles can make 120fps a more common reality in performance modes, not just a rare luxury. The article’s point about some current games struggling to even hold 60fps due to CPU limits hits home—I’ve definitely noticed that in a few open-world titles. If the next Xbox does open up broader NVMe compatibility, that would be a huge practical win for storage upgrades. What kind of game do you think would benefit most from those potential 24-36 GiB of RAM for bigger worlds?
I totally get your excitement about that 120Hz display, and you’re right—the CPU bottleneck in current open-world games is exactly why a generational leap could make 120fps performance modes far more standard. Those potential 24-36 GiB of RAM would be a game-changer for sprawling simulation-heavy titles, like a future Elder Scrolls or a truly dynamic GTA6, where vast, persistent worlds with immense detail-in-memory could become a reality. Keep an eye on tech showcases from developers like Rockstar or Bethesda in the coming years as hints toward that future, and let us know what games you’re hoping to see push those boundaries first.
As someone who just upgraded to a 120Hz display, the idea of 120fps becoming a standard performance mode is really exciting, especially since I’ve noticed some current-gen games still struggle to hit a stable 60fps. I really hope developers prioritize those smoother framerates with the extra power, as faster load times are great, but fluid gameplay makes a bigger difference to me. Do you think most players would actually choose a 120fps mode over a higher-fidelity 60fps option?
I totally get your excitement about that 120Hz display, especially when you see how some current titles still wrestle with a stable 60fps. Based on the hardware trajectory we discussed, I do think a significant portion of players will gravitate toward 120fps for competitive or fast-paced games, but the choice will likely remain a welcome personal preference between fluidity and fidelity. A great next step is to check out performance analyses for games you own on sites like Digital Foundry to see how they utilize higher refresh rates already. I’d love to hear which games feel most transformative on your new display!
As someone who’s still on a PS4, the mention of 60fps being a struggle on current-gen CPUs really hits home—I’m used to 30fps, so even that jump sounds amazing. The idea of 120fps becoming a standard performance mode next gen is exciting, but it makes me wonder if we’ll need new displays to even notice the difference. What’s a realistic timeframe for developers to fully utilize that kind of hardware?
I totally get that coming from a PS4, the leap to a stable 60fps will feel like a massive upgrade on its own. Based on the hardware roadmap, it typically takes developers a few years into a console’s life to fully harness its power, so we might see 120fps become a common target in the latter half of the next generation. If you’re curious about display tech, checking the refresh rate specs on your current monitor or TV is a great first step to see what you’re ready for—feel free to share what you find, and we can talk more about the visual differences!
As someone who’s been frustrated when my PS5 occasionally dips below 60fps in dense open-world games, the point about GTA6 potentially highlighting current CPU limitations really hits home. I’d gladly take a next-gen console if it meant a stable 120fps performance mode became the new standard. Do you think developers will prioritize these higher framerates, or will they always push visual fidelity first?
I completely understand your frustration with those frame rate dips, especially in demanding open-world games where the PS5’s CPU can sometimes hit its limits. Based on the hardware trajectory discussed, I believe developers will increasingly prioritize higher framerates as a standard offering, with 120fps “performance” and 60fps “graphics” modes becoming a common choice—it’s less about one winning out and more about providing that crucial option. For now, keeping an eye on performance patches for your favorite games can help, and I’d be curious to hear which titles you’re most hoping get a smooth next-gen upgrade.
RAM doesn’t determine world size, but rather how many assets can be loaded at once.
The generational leap to SSDs from HDDs brought the biggest real-world improvement in loading times, due to faster access times. Read/write speeds matter less—the difference between a high-end NVMe and a budget SATA SSD is minimal and hard to notice without careful timing. DRAM doesn’t affect load times but can improve write speeds.
Ray tracing’s importance varies by user, but it does impact performance.
For frame rates, there are diminishing returns. The time between frames decreases as follows: 30fps at 33.3ms, 60fps at 16.6ms, 100fps at 10ms, and 120fps at 8.33ms. With VRR becoming more common on TVs, gameplay will feel smoother as long as developers avoid large FPS swings.
Yes, but being able to load more assets at once means fewer constraints on developers.
From my experience, the difference in framerate is very noticeable between 60fps and 120fps when using a mouse. It might be less noticeable with a controller.
As someone who recently upgraded to a 120Hz display, I’ve noticed how few games actually hit that 120fps target consistently, so the idea of performance modes shifting toward 120fps as a standard next gen is really compelling. It makes me wonder if I should hold off on upgrading my console until the next generation arrives. What do you think will be the biggest bottleneck for developers trying to hit those higher frame rates?
I completely understand your excitement about 120Hz gaming and the frustration with how few titles consistently hit that target, which is exactly why the CPU limitations mentioned in the article are so crucial. I believe the biggest bottleneck will remain the CPU, as it handles complex game logic and physics; even current-gen CPUs can struggle with 60fps in dense worlds, so achieving stable 120fps will demand a major architectural leap for more detailed simulations. If you’re considering holding off, it might be worth focusing on games with proven 120fps modes on your current setup while we wait for the next generation’s specs to solidify—I’d love to hear which games you’ve enjoyed most on your new display so far.
I don’t think people fail to recognize the need for newer, more powerful, and efficient hardware. The issue is that they don’t see a reason to upgrade yet.
Personally, I won’t upgrade my base PS5 until around 2030. Games already run and look good enough for my standards, and with a PS5 and a Switch 2, I can play all the games I want.
Most people don’t prioritize high frame rates, and larger game worlds would increase development costs, potentially raising prices for consumers. That’s not the direction Sony should take. They should focus on managing development expenses before upgrading hardware.
As for Xbox, aside from a few users, the majority will likely play on PlayStation.
Sony and Microsoft should remember that console gaming has traditionally been an inexpensive, low-friction way for mainstream audiences to get into gaming.
If you compared a game at medium settings rendered in 1080p and upscaled to 4K with a stable 30fps to the same game at ultra settings rendered in native 4K running at 60fps, most gamers would barely notice a difference. The latter setup requires significantly more processing power, yet most people would only perceive it as slightly more detailed, clearer, and smoother.
That’s why I think Sony and Microsoft should wait another five years or so before replacing hardware. They should hold off until the benefits are obvious and the hardware is affordable, rather than pushing upgrades that most people won’t fully appreciate.
They might be making a mistake by not keeping costs down enough. Microsoft in particular seems to be aiming for a very high price, which could result in limited sales.
Framerates:
While 120 FPS would be a nice addition, 60 FPS is already smooth enough for most players. On PC, only those with high-end GPUs consistently achieve 120+ FPS, while the majority of users get 60–90 FPS at 1080p or 1440p in modern games, which are comparable to console titles. Budget hardware can run older games at 120 FPS, but for consoles to deliver high frame rates, the next generation would likely cost $1,000 or more.
Bigger Worlds:
This isn’t an issue, as seen with games like AC Valhalla and Odyssey, which feature massive worlds on current hardware. The real challenge is making these worlds feel alive and meaningful rather than filled with repetitive content. Since games only load assets within the player’s view, worlds can be virtually limitless with proper programming. The main constraints are storage capacity and development time.
Faster Load Times:
On PlayStation, load times depend more on developer optimization than hardware limitations. Titles like Spider-Man 2, Death Stranding 2, and Ghost of Yotei have near-instant loading due to efficient optimization. While a next-gen SSD could offer minor improvements, only poorly optimized games would see noticeable benefits, and most players wouldn’t perceive a difference.
Better Ray Tracing:
Path tracing may be available on the PS6 as a graphical option locked to 30 FPS. For most games targeting 60 FPS in performance mode, standard ray tracing will likely be common, but full path tracing will remain limited to fidelity modes unless consoles reach a $1,000+ price point.
The Next Xbox:
As a developer, I can clarify that Sony can prevent its games from running on the new Xbox hybrid console. Each component has specific hardware IDs, and Sony could configure their games to detect and block those IDs, similar to how some Steam games restrict access to devices other than the Steam Deck.
Bigger worlds are not an issue and haven’t been since the PS4. Games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Odyssey demonstrate that massive worlds are achievable on current hardware. The real challenge is for developers to make these worlds feel alive and meaningful rather than filled with repetitive content.
Looking at titles such as Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Fallout 3, New Vegas, Oblivion, Far Cry 3, and Grand Theft Auto 5, it’s clear that large open worlds have been feasible since the PS3 era without requiring new hardware.
The current game sizes are more than enough. What we need now are worlds that feel alive, are enjoyable to explore, and give us a reason to do so. I’d rather uncover everything in Clock Town from Majora’s Mask than wander through a town in Assassin’s Creed.
People have different preferences regarding framerates. I prefer playing at 100+ fps over 60fps, to the extent that I often skip games entirely if I can’t achieve the framerate I want, usually because the game is hard-locked at 60.
The new Xbox will have unique hardware IDs for each component. Sony could configure their games to detect these IDs and prevent the game from launching, similar to how some Steam games currently operate. For instance, certain games permit the Steam Deck but block other Linux systems by verifying if the hardware matches the Steam Deck’s IDs.
Although Sony might attempt this with games released after the new Xbox launch, modders will likely find ways to bypass such restrictions. Alternatively, they could choose not to release the game on PC at all.
Sony will most likely continue releasing games on PC.
I suspect the new Xbox will operate similarly to Windows S mode, preventing system-level changes like hardware ID spoofing.
I do think people will find a way to install standard Windows or Linux on it, but at that point, it would no longer be an Xbox.
I hope the next consoles offer better cooling systems and make maintenance easier. I’m tired of dealing with thermal paste or liquid metal, having to remove fans to access heatsinks, and worrying about breaking components that could render the console useless.
None of the things you mentioned justify a $500 to $1000 cost for an entirely new generation.
Be like the PS2.
We can expect some improvements, but they will likely be minimal. The PS6 and next Xbox might be the first generation where the upgrades are hardly noticeable.
Moving forward, the industry should prioritize VR, where there is still significant room for enhancement. However, that would require prioritizing innovation over profit.
If you think the PS6 will be £600, think again. I expect it will be nearly £800 without a disc drive.
$600 for a digital edition might be a bit optimistic.
It would be great to see gameplay elements that truly distinguish consoles from PCs, as they currently feel like mid to low range computers. The PS5 controller’s shoulder buttons were a nice innovation, but I hope to see more advancements like that.
Some games will likely take advantage of the PS6 controller, similar to how PS5 exclusives used the DualSense.
As for exclusives that offer unique gameplay not available on PC, there probably won’t be any.
Most real innovation in gameplay is happening on PC.
It’s also very difficult for new competitors to challenge Sony directly in the console market, so they don’t feel much pressure to innovate. Sony hasn’t faced serious competition since the “TV, TV, TV” era.
At this point, Sony can rely on third-party developers to create the games people want to play—even Microsoft now releases games for PlayStation.
I agree, which is why I switched to PC. The experience is nearly identical now.