Sony caused a stir by unveiling the PlayStation 5 Pro last week, with many fans wondering if the mid-generation upgrade is worth $700. One of the big questions facing the PS5 Pro is what it will mean for big games releasing in the latter half of the generation, including EA's untitled Battlefield game.
When asked for his thoughts on the new console, Vince Zampella, head of Respawn and Group GM for the EA Studios organization, took a wait-and-see stance on Sony's new console.
“I mean, we're not out yet, so does this really help us? Not yet. Can we do something even cooler on top of this? Sure. I guess we'll see. As we see it being adopted, we'll see how much it really affects us. We have to make a game that runs on everything, so it'll just be like what can we add on top of this kind of thing, jokingly,” Zampella said.
Although comparatively little is known about the new Battlefield, it's a game that pushes the PS5 Pro's capabilities. EA DICE has long used the Battlefield series as a technical showcase for the Frostbite engine, featuring advanced effects, environmental destruction, and more. Early concept art, which you can see below, hints at what fans can expect from the new release.
As for the price, which has generated a lot of discussion among fans and in the media, Zampella called it a “balance.”
“I mean, I think it's expected and anything that gives us better performance for the people who really like it. To me, it's a wonderful thing. I was looking at some of this where the price… where they see that it's the most expensive. And it's really not,” he said. “If you go back, some of the older consoles were just as expensive and probably adjusted for inflation. So it felt a little shocking at first, but it's really not that bad. And if you get a $700 PC, you're not getting the same performance that you're getting from this.”
He added, “So I mean, it's a balance. Is it expensive for people? Absolutely. Not everybody will be able to afford it. Would it be better if it was cheaper? Sure. I'd like more people to buy it. But it really makes sense.”
There's been a lot of debate over the PS5 Pro since its unveiling last week, with fans, analysts, and The Game Awards founder Geoff Keighley all weighing in. An unscientific survey conducted by IGN revealed that only 10 percent of respondents were planning on picking up the mid-gen refresh, and most considered it too expensive.
Arguing that the PS5 Pro is too much for too little, IGN's Brian Altano argued, “Then, of course, there are the serious hardcore fans who want their games to look incredible on their giant OLED TVs and high-end gaming monitors. There will always be a place for those people — myself included — but it's hard to see if we're a big enough audience to justify making and selling a $700 PS5 Pro four years after buying a PS5 during a console generation that hasn't really found its footing yet.”
One way or another, the PS5 Pro will be out on November 7, and you can find our list of upgraded games right here.
As for Zampella, he spoke about the future of Battlefield in an exclusive interview with IGN, in which he also confirmed that it will return in a modern setting. Be sure to check out the full interview for his thoughts on returning to the great performances of Battlefield 3 and 4, competing with Call of Duty, and more.
Kat Bailey is IGN's News Director as well as the co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a suggestion? Send her a message at @the_katbot.