On the evening of September 10th, Mark Cerny, the lead architect of PlayStation, hosted a technical presentation unveiling the PlayStation 5 Pro, an upgraded version of Sony's gaming console. The presentation was streamed live on the official PlayStation YouTube channel, but it did not generate much buzz among independent streamers.
The PlayStation 5 Pro boasts significant enhancements over the base model. Sony has increased the power of both the graphics and central processors, improved ray tracing capabilities, and introduced artificial intelligence technology to enhance image upscaling.
In terms of design, the PS5 Pro closely resembles the original console, with only minor changes. The most noticeable update is the addition of three black stripes on the side panels, a feature that had already been leaked prior to the event.
The PS5 Pro will be priced at $700 or €800 for the version without a disc drive and vertical stand (the disc drive must be purchased separately). Sony will start accepting pre-orders on September 26, 2024, with the console officially launching on November 7, 2024.
The presentation of the PlayStation 5 Pro achieved a peak viewership of over 382,400 on the official PlayStation YouTube channel, making it the third most-watched live stream in the channel's history. The record is still held by the PlayStation Showcase 2023, which reached nearly 800,000 peak viewers.
The announcement of the PlayStation 5 Pro did not generate significant buzz among top streamers on Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. However, Spanish streamers elxokas and alexelcapo were notable exceptions, with their streams reaching peaks of 26,000 and 20,000 viewers, respectively. In the realm of gaming media, IGN's channel attracted the largest audience, drawing just over 41,000 viewers for the presentation of the new console.
The announcement of the PlayStation 5 Pro has generated significantly less excitement among streamers compared to events like State of Play, which highlight new games and exclusives. Moreover, details about the PlayStation 5 Pro had been circulating for weeks, with numerous rumors about its design and technical specifications. Consequently, Sony's presentation on September 10th largely confirmed information that was already widely known.
The presentation also received considerable criticism from fans. Some were frustrated with the high price of the console without the disc drive, while others were disappointed that only older games were used to showcase its technical capabilities. On the other hand, Sony did receive support from some industry colleagues and game developers, who argued that the new console is intended for those looking to upgrade their original PlayStation 5.
