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PlayStation 6 and PlayStation Portable future visions

 The recent PlayStation video about the "simulated" technology in development, discussed between AMD and Sony engineers that will power the PlayStation 6 was interesting from a geek point of view. But from a gameplay perspective, there is - IMO - no need for a PlayStation 6 for another few years. Especially with the limp Xbox is-it-isn't-it launch .  April 2026 Update:  Compatibility with PS5 and PS4 games seems to be locked-in, as anything the PS6 full fat hardware the portable versions should be able to do as well, with near-invisible trade-offs at the silicon level.  Prices are firming up too with estimates around the PlayStation 6 handheld at between $500 to $700 and a PlayStation 6 at $700 to $1,000, depending on the deepening silicon crisis and Sony's budgeting wizards.  Only a few developers around the world could afford to take advantage of it for AAA+ budget games. Everyone else is still barely cutting the skin of the PS5's power, and most western smal...

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Hands-On

So, I got my hands on an Xperia Play at the weekend and will get out some game reviews over the coming weeks. But first, some thoughts on the phone itself. Note, this isn't a full-bore review, just bits and pieces that spring to mind as I play with it and explore the Android and PlayStation features.

Plus Points:

  • Hardware: Really like the design. Yes, it is chunky but that gives it a solid feel. With the controls out, the Xperia Play does feel slightly cramped, so I wouldn't expect to play it for hours on end. 
  • Hardware: The screen is bright and great for gaming, with vivid detail, almost a shame that most games don't let you stop and enjoy the view often. 


Minus Points:

  • Hardware: Don't like the should button placing at all, they really need to be bigger. 
  • Sony: Dislike all the different store fronts and gaming locations - this stuff is so much easier on the iPhone.
  • Games: Developers seem to be putting the wrong features into mobile games, seeing way too many dialogue-heavy cut-scenes that get in the way of the actual game. 
  • Android Issues: Browser does a horrible jerky-font jitter when scaling in and out of sites. Yes, it does play Flash video, but its really jerky. Also the phone seems to drop my Wi-Fi connection a lot easier than the iPhone. 
  • Android Store: What a mess in comparison to the iOS stores. 

The Xperia Play I got to try out has now gone home, do I miss it? Unfortunately not at all. There was nothing exclusive enough or essential enough to make me want to fork out for one, even as the prices are crashing.

The majority of the Gameloft titles were very poor excuses for console rip-offs and not games trying to make the best of a mobile environment. The PlayStation content is laughable, almost a disgrace and while the Xperia Play is clearly, a powerful and capable little machine, it looks like no one has the desire or focus to do anything great with it.

Currently playing on my Vita/PS3/PS4/PS5


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