Sony has announced the new PlayStation 5 slim models coming this November. For the digital version, without the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive, you will be able to purchase a Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive add-on that is only compatible with this new slim model should you want a disc drive later on. Sony claims the new slim PS5 model has been “reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models.” The new PS5 is now slightly shorter by 1.25 inches, and slightly narrower, by 1.73 inches. It will weigh approximately 3 pounds less.

There’s no change in price for the standard PlayStation 5 model. The redesigned PS5 will launch next month for $499.99. However, the PS5 Digital Edition is getting a price increase of $449.99 at launch. (The original PS5 Digital Edition launched at $399 in 2020.)PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – $499.99PS5 Digital Edition – $449.99If you purchase the PS5 Digital Edition can purchase the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive separately for $79.99. Which is once again, only compatible with this slim PS5 model and not any older digital edition PS5.These new slim models are also launching with a 1TB SSD which is a slight increase from the 500GB SSD included with the original PS5 console at launch.

I personally see this as a good way for new players to get a PS5. While the PS5 is one of the largest and clunkiest consoles Sony has made, there really is no need to upgrade here for people that already have one. If you would like a larger SSD you can look into options to install one much cheaper than buying a new PS5. What do you think about the PS5 slim models? Let me know in the comments below!

As a part of the wave of recent layoffs in the videogames industry amidst a year of some of the most highly anticipated and high quality games in years, PlayStation Developer Naughty Dog known for games such as Uncharted and The Last of Us, is laying off some of its contracted developers. With most of the workers let go were from the Quality Assurance Testing Department, which is very important for maintaining a quality and bug tested experience for games. Other Departments such as art and production were downsized. Kotaku broke the story that no full time developers were being let go but that the 25 that were let go were not receiving severance pay and were also told to keep quiet about the news of the layoffs.

This year we’ve seen numerous studios with varying degrees of success in the gaming industry face large amounts of layoffs from Epic Games just last week, to 343 Industries who makes Halo games for Microsoft. Layoffs this year have included companies such as Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Embracer Group, and the closure of Volition who made Red Faction and Saints Row.

This news might lead one to ask “Why are there all these layoffs when these studios are releasing games with record breaking profits, cutting millions of dollars of bonus checks to their CEO’s while they layoff workers just after launching a game?” It’s a good question, why are developers not allowed to celebrate in the success? Why is it that the cuts in the industry start at the bottom when it is often the leadership that is at fault when a game is not successful. It is often marketing executives in the board room that will suggest radical features such as pay to win, microtransactions, forcing games into a live service model that wasn’t the intention of the original design by developers, and it’s all motivated by profit.

This is not even a problem just relegated to the gaming industry, we see it across all industries with multiple strikes in the labor force from actors, writers, voice actors, auto workers, and more. We see CEO’s from every company buying a new Super Yacht while their workforce struggles for basic cost of living expenses in a time where inflation is high and wages have been stagnant. These companies often demand loyalty from their workers but offer none in return. Older generations would stay at a job all their life and have a pension and retirement benefits while now, as soon as it comes time to pay up or share bonus checks, we’re hit with a wave of layoffs and your time at the company and your loyalty means nothing.

What do you think of the layoffs in the game industry? Is there some sort of fix for this issue? Let me know in the comments down below.

Jim Ryan, President and CEO, announces retirement after 30 years with Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Check the link here for the entire article from PlayStation.

Horizon: Forbidden West Complete Edition coming to PC Early 2024. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

The PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for October are: The Callisto Protocol, Farming Simulator 22, and Weird West.

Dead Space Creator Glen Schofield has recently left the studio he founded to make this game, Striking Distance.

What do you think of PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for October? Let me know in the comments.