PlayStation CEO Says Consoles are Indispensable
PlayStation has made headlines with a noteworthy statement amidst renewed discussions about the future of consoles in the gaming world. At a time when the PC and mobile gaming markets are rapidly growing and cloud technologies are being increasingly discussed, Sony is still prioritizing the console experience. In a recent interview, CEO Hideaki Nishino stated that while traditional game consoles retain their importance, this experience can now expand in different ways.
PlayStation Wants to Expand the Console Experience
Speaking to Famitsu, Hideaki Nishino stated that his belief that a game console is necessary for gaming remains unchanged. However, according to Nishino, this doesn’t mean the console experience will remain confined to television. Sony wants to develop new experiences that can bring games to more living spaces using different technologies.
At this point, the PlayStation Portal example stood out. Nishino stated that PlayStation has long been associated with the idea of playing games on a television in the living room, but thanks to Portal, players can now play more comfortably in other areas as well. This statement reinforced the speculation that Sony may invest more in portable or hybrid experiences in the future.
Nishino also expressed that PlayStation wants to take on new challenges to offer gaming experiences that adapt to different lifestyles. These words brought back the possibility of a new handheld console or a PlayStation Vita 2-like device. Sony has not yet announced such a product, but the statements indicate that the company is considering different avenues on the hardware side.
The interview also touched upon the PC strategy. Nishino said that if a game’s release on PC enhances the experience, this option will be considered. However, he stated that increasing the value of the PlayStation experience in in-house single-player titles is the main policy. For live-service games, it seems that PS5 and PC releases will continue to be considered standard for reaching a wider audience.
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