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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...

Remote Play may kill core Vita development

Here's a little bit of history with my tech-writer hat on:

  • In the 80s/90s, IBM launched versions of OS/2 with DOS (and then Windows) support. No one much bothered to develop OS/2 apps unless IBM paid them, as they could use the Windows apps. OS/2 died horribly.
  • More recently, BlackBerry launched BB10 OS with limited Android app support. Not that many people developed bespoke BlackBerry apps. BlackBerry app development collapsed, as is the company. 
  • This month, Sony launched the PlayStation 4 with Remote Play for the Vita. The Vita now plays PS4 games. 

So, who would develop a PS Vita game that will sell maybe 100,000 copies (likely less) when it could develop a more powerful PS4 game on a booming high-profile platform, that could sell a million?

The answer is Sony, with a bonus point for third-party developers that Sony pays (see Assassin's Creed). And looking (outside Japan) there are few games coming from third parties outside Traveller's Tales titles.

Indies are a different case with smaller profit needs, access to a tight platform that's easy enough to port/code for, and a keen captive market looking for quick-and-fun entertainment.

So, while there's some hope that increased Vita sales on the back of Remote Play and PS4/Vita bundles will see more games from third-parties come out, don't hold your breath.

Currently playing on my Vita/PS3/PS4/PS5


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