Do you see Sony ever entering the handheld market (hybrid console or straight up handheld) again?

[Wil Grieve]

I just don't see what value it would bring to anyone who isn't already fully locked into the PlayStation technosphere.

My Steam Deck is already a much more capable Portal.

Sony doesn't have exclusives anymore.

I'd say the same thing about Nintendo except their first party is second to none. Sony had that but they don't have that anymore.

Idk it just seems to me fated to share the same destiny as the VR2. Production halted because they had too many unsold.

 

[Wil Grieve]

No, cause Nintendo fans have killed every Smash clone, so they will kill any switch clone.

Click to shrink...

Yes, Nintendo fans are the reasons that PSASBR and Nicktoon Smash have failed. Had nothing to do with those games being relatively content light and not very fun.

 

[Iwao]

I mean, haven't they kind of already with the Portal? But between Switch, Steam Deck, and Microsoft clearly eyeing it, I think a full-on portable is a given eventually.

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Nintendo is in a unique position where the customer base doesn't care at all about cutting edge specs. They have pooled together their resources to focus on their main consistent strength which is delivering the handheld gaming experience, so a Switch 2 is a foregone conclusion. Valve is operating on a whole other plain where they don't have studios making games for it, but own Steam and have an active investment in making Linux gaming devices more popular. Microsoft is eyeing it as an option because nothing else has been working for them, but wouldn't surprise me if this is another huge misread of the market for them. As for Sony, they are investing in cutting edge hardware and don't want to sacrifice that due to form factor. It's why PSVR2 is wired, it's why Portal streams games instead of runs pared down versions of the games, it's why they're coming out with a PS5 Pro.

 

[Coloursheep]

I could see them doing a switch style hybrid if Microsoft stops making consoles then there's less pressure on them to go for maximum power.

 

[Advance.Wars.Sgt.]

I could see them doing a switch style hybrid if Microsoft stops making consoles then there's less pressure on them to go for maximum power.

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Sony does not have the consumer base for this idea to work. People buy Sony products precisely because they expect the best in visual fidelity conducive for TV gaming. To do otherwise would risk losing both their consumers and their competitive advantage.

 

[KalBalboa]

How would a portable PS4 allow them to avoid creating bespoke software? The PS4 came out in 2013.

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They're still making PS4 software, and you can gesture to the dumptruck of compatible games for that SKU. Even PS2 and PS1 games running on PS4 could fit under the umbrella.

I'm just spitballing. Maybe you could even make a handheld PS5, but my general point remains that they'd only make a handheld again if it didn't require an entirely different development pipreline.

 

[AmFreak]

The problem there is x86, by the time you can get an x86 processor equal to the PS5 that is portable we will be halfway into the PS6 generation (aka the Steam Deck being close to a PS4 today).

The ONLY way this works is if Sony embraces 10+ year generations with overlap, which isn't usually their game (they killed PS4 production not long after the PS5).

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Every non Deck PC hand held already has a cpu with a higher peak than the PS5 one.

 

[NinjaScooter]

They're still making PS4 software, and you can gesture to the dumptruck of compatible games for that SKU. Even PS2 and PS1 games running on PS4 could fit under the umbrella.

I'm just spitballing. Maybe you could even make a handheld PS5, but my general point remains that they'd only make a handheld again if it didn't require an entirely different development pipreline.

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Not really? First party wise at this point it's probably just MLB that Sony is still supporting PS4 with. Most third parties are also moving on. You'd be asking developers (including Sony's own internal devs) to suddenly start making PS4 games again which doesn't make a lot of sense. People aren't gonna drop $300-400 on a new piece of hardware to play PS1 or PS2 games. Y'all need to stop thinking thats some major selling point. A new Playstation portable platform with no dedicated new software targeting people who just want play old games is DOA.

 

[Ckoerner]

Nintendo has one console to support and appears to be keeping this focus going forward. Sony would have to spit themselves between two consoles. I don't see them doing that.

 

[Aleh]

The question is: is stationary hardware still advancing fast enough to do things that handheld hardware won't be able to do? People complain the difference between a PS4 and PS5 isn't that noticeable. The Switch 2 will be even closer to a PS5 than the PS4 is. And while it won't be able to run everything a PS5 can, how many gens can this still hold true? 1? 2?

With diminishing returns being more of a thing each time, I think they will simply HAVE to pivot eventually because there won't be any benefit to being a pure home console anymore. It's just a matter of when it's going to happen. I mean look at Apple hardware. Their M series chips are even in iPads, and without the usual Apple tax such a level of power could be in more affordable hardware too.

 

[KalBalboa]

Not really? First party wise at this point it's probably just MLB that Sony is still supporting PS4 with. Most third parties are also moving on. You'd be asking developers (including Sony's own internal devs) to suddenly start making PS4 games again which doesn't make a lot of sense. People aren't gonna drop $300-400 on a new piece of hardware to play PS1 or PS2 games. Y'all need to stop thinking thats some major selling point. A new Playstation portable platform with no dedicated new software targeting people who just want play old games is DOA.

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Like I said, spitballing.

I don't even have a hypothetical timeframe in my head for this theory crafted device we're talking about. It'd probably be a portable PS5 in my broad pitch, but if Sony had made a handheld in the last ~2-3 years, I think a portable PS4-player would've had a ton of hot, new games to play on it.

 

[Angie]

I would be ok with a Portal type device that would work as Cloud device
.
PS Extra Cloud works great

 

[Squarealex]

Yes
Next handheld read PS4 and PS5 games (with some magic downgrade performance / resolution with software).

2 or 3 hardwares, same library.

 

[NinjaScooter]

Like I said, spitballing.

I don't even have a hypothetical timeframe in my head for this theory crafted device we're talking about. It'd probably be a portable PS5 in my broad pitch, but if Sony had made a handheld in the last ~2-3 years, I think a portable PS4-player would've had a ton of hot, new games to play on it.

Click to shrink...

I think you'd probably run into the same issued with staggered hardware timelines though. A portable PS5 is 100% not feasible. By the time it does become feasible well years into PS6. I just don't see the resource allocation necessary being worth the squeeze for Sony which is probably why they are looking at complimentary devices like the Portal.

 

[KalBalboa]

I think you'd probably run into the same issued with staggered hardware timelines though. A portable PS5 is 100% not feasible. By the time it does become feasible well years into PS6. I just don't see the resource allocation necessary being worth the squeeze for Sony which is probably why they are looking at complimentary devices like the Portal.

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I wonder if PS6 is going to be fundamentally similar enough under-the-hood that this will be less of an ongoing problem... scalability seems like it is only becoming more paramount for game development to be profitable.

I wonder if PS5 and PS6 will share much more DNA in common than PS4 and 5 did. I imagine they will.

I have no real hard feelings on the portable Playstation topic, though. I feel like if I really wanted one I'd just get a Steamdeck 2, or whatever, and tinker my way into running the games I'd want on the go.

 

[Baobab]

Absolutely, hybrids and handhelds will be the main type of consoles in a couple of generations.
the graphical jump between consoles is becoming less significant each gen and at certain point most of consumers will not care and the flexibility of use of the hybrids and handhelds is just miles wavy from the stationary consoles.
The switch showed the way.

 

[poklane]

The only way Sony should ever make a handheld again is if it can somehow run the entire library of the latest home console. Splitting the playerbase into 2, and also having splitting the focus of developers into 2 would be nothing short of foolish.

 

[nsilvias]

no. sony cant juggle more than one piece of hardware.

 

[GlitchyDegree]

No, but I also won't rule out it eventually happening.

 

[LilScooby77]

The portal sold well enough right? Someone at Sony has dollar signs as pupils.

 

[Busaiku]

The handheld market isn't lucrative enough for Sony to bother.
All the PC handhelds together have prolly sold less than Vita.

Only Switch has mainstream appeal.

 

[KalBalboa]

The handheld market isn't lucrative enough for Sony to bother.
All the PC handhelds together have prolly sold less than Vita.

Only Switch has mainstream appeal.

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It's going back a minute, but the PSP sold as well as the Xbox 360 and PS3.

People like handheld gizmos, so never say never.

 

[WackoWambo]

Yes.

As everyone makes these handhelds, the chips and costs go down, R&D spend by Sony or Microsoft will be less than what Valve had to do, etc.

There becomes a point where the cost is low enough and potential return high enough.

There will never be another dedicated handheld that's separate from the PS(5.6.7) however. Dev teams can't support two different systems. It will just play watered down versions.

 

[Pancracio17]

Phones are getting closer and closer to running full blown console games, so yeah, id expect to see them there eventually.

Maybe not an actual handheld console of their own though.

 

[Kaguya]

Handheld no, hybrid I could see.

 

[thecaseace]

No, cause Nintendo fans have killed every Smash clone, so they will kill any switch clone.

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I'd love to know how Nintendo fans did this? Please elaborate.

 

[inigo_montoya]

All they need to do is turn cloud gaming on their portal.

The Steamdeck got me back into gaming and the portal got me to start playing consoles again. Without either I would not have bothered.

I think MS missed the boat on a portal like device that could do cloud/remote play type setup.

 

[T002 Tyrant]

I see Sony failing at it again. Sony's problem is they'll give up on some hardware if it fails. Ala Vita. They tend to jump on a bandwagon and when it only hits their hardcore audience, they slowly phase it out.

Nintendo one the other hand will keep at it even when it financially doesn't make immediate sense ala the Wii U. Even the 3DS to some extent. Like if by some bizarre twist the Switch 2 flops because it's like $500, Nintendo will do everything they can to make it work, from dropping price to keep up the software support.

 

[RivalGT]

I cant see them making a dedicated portable in the style of the PSP or vita again, unless they decide to change strategies. I think for now they will focus at what they are good at, and thats making home consoles.

But I think its possible that they will offer a portable device that can play their PC games, with native DualSense support.

 

[Ringten]

I would be interested in a Portal that has a perfect connection to your console...

However Sony has proven they can't support an additional device / accessory, so please none of that

 

[Patapuf]

Every non Deck PC hand held already has a cpu with a higher peak than the PS5 one.

Click to shrink...

They also cost more than a PS5 and the GPU is pretty important (and more difficult) to shrink too.

Like, if Sony aims for Steamdeck sales numbers it might work but Sony isn't bothering to design hardware to sell steam deck numbers.

 

[eso76]

Vita means life

 

[Noctis Winters]

I can see more companion devices like the Portal , like a handheld PS4 style thing.

But something with its own dedicated/ separate library - absolutely not.

 

[Necron]

None.

Best we can hope for is a Portal Elite (back triggers, OLED, better connection - even less battery life for reasons) for nearly double the price.

 

[AmFreak]

They also cost more than a PS5 and the GPU is pretty important (and more difficult) to shrink too.

Like, if Sony aims for Steamdeck sales numbers it might work but Sony isn't bothering to design hardware to sell steam deck numbers.

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Ofc they can't get the PS5 gpu, but that wasn't the subject - they can't get that with ARM either.
The "they cost more" is like a repeat of the discussions i had here about PC hand helds before the Steam Deck, these far lower volume hand helds that have to make a big profit from each unit are not a good/valid comparison. The smallest Steam Deck is $400, the die of the OG one already would be big enough for 4 extra Zen 2 cores if you removed the unused cvip units.

 

[Flame Lord]

It'd be cool if they made a more classical sort of handheld: able to fit in my pocket and built for more handheld experiences. I feel something like that could be pretty cheap, but I doubt it'll happen.

 

[Dr. Zoidberg]

I could see Sony and/or MS introducing a handheld device that relies on scalability as opposed to a to native development, yes.

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I'm fine with this. I just don't want any portable-game exclusives. I'm not big on portables and I don't like being forced to use one to gain access to a good game. Nintendo's hybrid approach is great, and a scalable approach that utilizes the same library as the standard console (a la SteamDeck) would be fine with me too. Just no exclusives.

 

[Timbuktu]

Given how things are with PSVR2, no.

 

[Gay Bowser]

Hahaha no

Just look at how they supported the Vita, or how they're supporting PS VR2 now. It's clear that many of their largest and most prestigious studios view making anything other than Big Damn Console Games as a distraction.

 

[TooBusyLookinGud]

If they do it like Steam Deck, yes. Steam Deck's scalability has been a great success for Valve.

 

[BasilZero]

I would love a hybrid like the switch or a secondary system that runs the same games as the home console

But a dedicated portable with its own separate library? No thanks

 

[davepoobond]

i think in maybe 2 generations we will see it be a portable console of sorts

 

[CosmiKu]

Best we'll get is Sony designing their next console to include features that better support Portal.

Maybe some sort of direct WiFi connection that reduces and latency and increases reliability for when you're using Portal in the same room as your console.

They'll never do a dedicated handheld again, unless the console market completely implodes and they have no choice but to.

 

[Marmoka]

Not in short term, and I dont expect it on middle term either.

Perhaps in long term? If so because things with PS5 and 6 didnt go well (I really doubt this will happen) and they need to change their business model completely.

 

[cowbanana]

No I don't see it. Nor do I want another piece of locked down Sony hardware that they fail to support with software.

Steam Deck and other PC handhelds have general portable gaming covered. Libraries that go back decades and freedom to do whatever without some garbage corp telling you that you can't make backups of your save games.

I love my Vita. But Sony failed with their software support. They can barely get PS5 games out these days, so they have zero chance driving a meaningful handheld business.

 

[Toiletduck]

What I would love…but we all want things. :)

PlaysStation Portal 2 with
- 8-inch OLED screen, 1080p, 120hz, VRR, HDR
- Cloud Gaming and Remote Play built in
- DualSense Elite controls with all the modular and stick options
- WiFi 7 and 5G as an option
- Bluetooth
- Bigger battery that is similar to the Logitech G Cloud's
- Forward compatible with all future PS hardware and cloud gaming servers
- Colour options (would be cool to see them in different colours)

Still happy with the current Portal.

 

[mojo]

Ugh didn't we have a leak saying they're actively working on a new handheld?

 

[cardboardboxer]

Every non Deck PC hand held already has a cpu with a higher peak than the PS5 one.

Click to shrink...

The GPU is the majority of the power consumption on modern consoles.

 

[Mesoian]

No. I think dedicated mobile streaming devices are as close as you're ever gonna get.

 

[ZeoVGM]

It's about as likely as PS VR3.