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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...

Bring the games! What will Sony add to its slim launch event?

Sony could announce a diamond encrusted Vita, skinnier than a baby ant at its upcoming launch event next week. It still won't sell, that is without some exciting titles to juice gamers' interest and to make a very big splash.

UPDATE: Sony says don't expect any game announcements during this event. Do these marketing idiots ever stick their heads out into the real world? Here's a shiny new gadget... with nothing new to do on it -- holy shit!

So what can Sony offer us? We know there's a fair few games on the way, but beyond Borderlands 2 and the army of indies, people need something new to get excited about. We've already seen an anglicised version of Freedom Wars, which might be good for the cognoscenti, but unless there's a blockbuster movie coming along with it (perhaps an all-star sequel of sorts to In Time) it looks pretty niche.

So, what's off the radar, neatly avoiding the perennial suspects of GTA, CoD and so on? It seems likely that some more JRPGs are headed our way, but between NISA, Atlus and Idea Factory, we're doing pretty well on that front.

So, maybe Sony's buddy Sega will have some good news in the guise of a new Shenmue, Grandia or Skies of Arcadia title (or, more likely, a remake). Looking back west, Sony's own studios have got the first rush of PS4 titles out of the way, are any of them pining for Vita development, or is the big boss keeping them focused on driving the PS4's momentum?

Whatever Sony does show off will define the year for the handheld, one or two big-name games may give it a future in the eyes of other developers. If there's nothing but cast-offs, ports and retro chic, then the Vita is dead, as far as the dream of the traditional console experience goes. Is that a bad thing? Kind of, given the Vita's launch ambition, but I'm quite happy paying a few quid a month for some gaming nuggets over the periodic GotY titles. It would just be nice to have a choice!

What do you fancy playing on your slim Vita (or your OLED original) later in the year?

Currently playing on my Vita/PS3/PS4/PS5


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