The CEO of PlayStation has teased this once again SonyS ‘ PS6 there will be a portable branch, as they ‘evaluate’ their approach to console pricing.
Sony has yet to confirm anything about its next-gen console plans, but a bunch of them rumor AND teaser suggest that there will be a handheld component.
The big question is what form this device will take – whether it’s a streaming device like the PS Portal, a standalone system like the PS Vita, or a hybrid like Nintendo Switch.
Sony hasn’t shed any light on the subject, but has highlighted how the PlayStation 6 will go ‘beyond the living room’ in a new Q&A.
Speaking in a newly published Q&A with investorsSony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino was asked how PlayStation plans to bring back gamers who migrated to PC during the lockout, at which point he began talking about trying to break away from the living room.
“PlayStation has long been strongly associated with the idea of gaming in the living room,” said Nishino. “However, in recent years, more users globally have adopted personal monitors. In response, we are selling peripherals such as monitors and speakers to break away from the fixed perception that ‘PlayStation equals the living room’ and expand usage scenarios.”
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“For the next-generation platform, rather than simply serving as an alternative to PCs, we aim to deliver value that is unique to PlayStation. This includes not only technological advances, but also an expansion of usage styles, enabling a seamless experience that can be naturally enjoyed beyond the living room.’
If these ‘usage styles’ don’t relate to some sort of PlayStation dishwasher, the only reasonable guess is that he’s talking about a portable device.
In the same Q&A, Nishino discussed the price of his next-gen device, where he hinted that – considering rumors about PlayStation 6 hardware costs – it will be an expensive bag.
“On pricing, it is not realistic for us to absorb all component cost increases and we have already implemented some price increases outside of Japan,” he added. “At the moment, however, sales are continuing as planned and we do not believe this has led to a drop in customer demand.
“As a matter of principle, we do not intend to sell equipment at a significant loss. At the same time, we are carefully monitoring the market and continuing to evaluate our approach. We believe it is important for us to make every effort to ensure that customers fully understand the value we offer in relation to the price.’
Unless Sony plans to sell the PlayStation 6 at a ‘significant loss’, the fact that the raw materials allegedly cost £730 (excluding manufacturing, marketing and other costs), it certainly sounds like the console could be priced at £1,000 in the UK.
Another key talking point is the role of AI in PlayStation’s future, and Nishino explained how it is being used to detect ‘fraudulent activities’ on the PlayStation Store.
“With the introduction of AI, we are now able to analyze data at scale much faster and we are seeing strong progress in advancing the use of data,” added Nishino. In addition, the volume of transactions on the PlayStation Store is huge. Thus, when fraudulent activities result in chargebacks, the financial impact can be very significant.
“Currently, AI engines are being used to assess the trustworthiness of transactions with a high degree of sophistication, contributing to fraud prevention. Going forward, our focus is on providing a platform that enables creators to monetize more effectively and efficiently.’
In terms of game development, Nishino says Sony is using AI for placeholder assets (which we’ve seen fail many times already with other developers), while highlighting a push for ‘AI first initiatives’.
He added: “As a creative entertainment company, we prioritize our creators, with AI enhancing their work by removing repetitive tasks and enabling faster iteration and higher quality results, both through the use of synthetic assets, including synthetic voices, as early adopters.
“This is less about cost efficiency and more about improving the quality and speed of development, which we see as very valuable. For many years, AI has been deeply embedded in our development processes, and we’re increasingly seeing its impact on more immersive gaming experiences, where characters and worlds are enhanced by AI capabilities.”
“At the same time, we’re experimenting at a more fundamental level with smaller, early AI initiatives while remaining realistic about short-term efficiency gains. These efforts position us to stay at the forefront as AI continues to evolve, both in development processes and in shaping player experiences in the future.’
Nishino has done similar statements beforeand since this is aimed at investors, who always like to hear about companies using AI, it’s hard to gauge how serious these comments are. However, at face value, the prospect of any ‘first AI initiative’ is certainly worrying.
Despite the memory crisis, Sony’s PlayStation 6 is still around expected to launch sometime in 2027although we’ll have to see if it’ll be able to justify its inevitably high price tag.
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