Sony CEO Says PlayStation's Gaming Future Will Be On PC, Mobile, And Cloud : games

[-] Mereo@lemmy.ca 77 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Misleading Title!!!

In an interview with Norges Bank Investment Management, the Sony CEO talked about where he sees the future of gaming for PlayStation going in both the short and near term.

“It will be ubiquitous,” Yoshida said. “Wherever there is computing, users will be able to play their favorite games seamlessly. Why PlayStation will remain our core product [is] we will expand our gaming experiences to PC, mobile, and cloud.”

[-] stratosfear 8 points 10 months ago

I'm struggling to even understand what he's saying. Is the Why supposed to be While?? I read it two different ways...

"While PlayStation will remain our core product, we will expand our gaming experiences to PC, mobile, and cloud."

Or...

"[The reason] Why PlayStation [games] will remain our core product [is] we will expand our gaming experiences to PC, mobile, and cloud."

[-] BudgieMania@kbin.social 7 points 10 months ago

is definitely "while" in the context of the interview

[-] stratosfear 3 points 10 months ago

Definitely what I thought, but the article putting the [is] in there messed it all up.

[-] RGB3x3@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Probably an accent issue and a misinterpretation.

It's a reasonable mistake, imo.

[-] BudgieMania@kbin.social 2 points 10 months ago

I think they got that from the youtube text transcription

poor proofchecking/proofreading on their part

[-] TurboHarbinger@feddit.cl 23 points 10 months ago

They NEED to put more effort in PC. Right now is not much of a choice.

The Steam Deck did literally flip the board, and Sony had an entire year to notice it. Nintendo reacted sooner.

[-] UndercoverUlrikHD@programming.dev 11 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Why do they need to put more effort? Their biggest games are all coming to PC already and they've acquired Nixxes for porting games.

[-] TurboHarbinger@feddit.cl 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

And after that? when the PS5 console cycle is over?

Their PC competition has mobile devices, VR of any kind and a easy platform to distribute games with lots of features (and almost everything is compatible between those).

So either Sony release a super console compatible with all of that (and hopefully can play PC games too), or they keep their focus only on developing games. Their consoles will slowly get consumed by the rest at the end.

Edit: even Nintendo is screwed since you can emulate almost all their Switch titles on PC and the Deck, and sometimes it runs better.

[-] UndercoverUlrikHD@programming.dev 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I honestly don't get your point. Both Sony and Microsoft are working on their next consoles and Sony got VR, though I'm not sure it's profitable. Their PlayStation department is doing great, what concerns do you actually have? The pc market isn't a threat, it's just another revenue source for their developers.

[-] TurboHarbinger@feddit.cl 2 points 10 months ago

Ok let me explain. Thanks to Valve, SteamOS, the Steam Deck, and partly to xbox and windows11, the balance on "what gaming product to have" shifted. Suddenly:

All your games available on PC could be also available on a mobile platform. The same games from 3 console gens ago.
Your games could also be available in your living room, like a console or with a Steam Deck docking accessory (Also with Streaming from other locations in your home).
There is lots of VR options included, all compatible with the same software.
It's still free to use their platform, no extra online subscription.
You can use any controller you wish. And with any I mean every controller from every console or third party.

The Console market already has these features, but not all of them. Before, players had the preference on buying consoles for their easiness of use. Now it's easy to use a PC for that. Steam machines never took off, but thanks to the Deck, it exists both for mobile and for your TV. Most of their catalog is available.

Xbox already shifted to a mix console-PC, betting all on their game pass and to have cross-play exclusives on both platforms. Crazily enough, thanks to Microsoft forcing the update to win11, Xbox is included automagically. More new players just by virtue of accessibility. And with game pass subscription (which is pretty much the norm these days with streaming subs), I don't think their market is small. Their console now is an accessory.

Apple and Google also now are the biggest platforms for mobile games available. Lots and lots of new players that the Consoles can't touch. It's too cheap and accessible for consumers. Still, it's funny most of the hardcore phone gamers play these games on their PCs with emulation. Better screen and controllers.

Nintendo still has their very iconic and popular exclusives, a mobile and living room platform to publish. And their games are always expensive as fuck. No VR, but we'll see with the next Switch (they always work with gimmicks). Sadly for them, most of their recently released games could be played with emulators. "Illegal", but easily possible.

Other factors like popular online games also exists. For years kids have been played cheap or free games with mods (like old gta san andreas and now gta5) to make their fun. Minecraft still is awfully popular. PUBG and DayZ like games had their origins on PC. Stupid bad early access cheap games are also available on PC first. These players will probably upgrade their experience on these games before buying a console.

Sony. Now, their only move has been publishing some games PC. Very important games. Which they got their sales. But these days, consoles feel like a niche market. Their player base hasn't changed, but now there is more players than ever. Too many competitive actions from xbox and steam, and also the mobile market continues growing.

So unless Sony and Nintendo next consoles can at least compete with a mobile device and keeping all of their other features, I find hard to believe that they would be able to keep their player base. Fans will be still there tho, still lots of players.

Other gaming companies also see this. They will prefer less publishing with Sony because the rest of the market has much more consumers. Ports will be cheaper.

Unless they shift somehow, it will be slow death by a thousand cuts. Their latest move is a good move for now.

tl;dr: PC has too many new market shifting features in recent years, aside for the ones that already existing. Consoles probably won't be able to keep up with changes unless they shift. Like xbox did.

[-] UndercoverUlrikHD@programming.dev 1 points 10 months ago

I see where you're coming from, but I don't agree with the conclusion.

The PS5 is selling as well as the ps4 did, despite shortage and worse economy for most people. Many people don't want to go from sitting in front of their computer at work to sit in front of a another computer at home. A console is a much more streamlined and casual experience. You don't have to mess around with 5 different storefronts and a hundred different launchers. You don't have to worry about the specs of your computer, rising GPU prices, driver issues or half a dozen issues due to bad PC ports. For those sensitive to stutters, the jedi games and a bunch 2023 PC ports are still unplayable.

The mobile market is an almost entirely different demographic and much of that revenue comes as disguised gambling. Mobile gaming market won't replace the traditional console market, it's a completely different experience.

Nintendos will continue as long as there are children out there. Nintendo offers a "safe" and curated market for children, both old and young.

The game pass also isn't much of a moat for Microsoft. Sony has their own offering and nothing stops them from extending it to the PC market, though highly unlikely.

I just don't see the market of gaming on your couch going away. Many people value the simplicity of consoles, and PlayStation is the big name on the market.

[-] TurboHarbinger@feddit.cl 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

The PS5 is selling as well as the ps4 did, despite shortage and worse economy for most people. Many people don’t want to go from sitting in front of their computer at work to sit in front of a another computer at home. A console is a much more streamlined and casual experience. You don’t have to mess around with 5 different storefronts and a hundred different launchers. You don’t have to worry about the specs of your computer, rising GPU prices, driver issues or half a dozen issues due to bad PC ports. For those sensitive to stutters, the jedi games and a bunch 2023 PC ports are still unplayable.

Never said there will be less PS5. I even said they still have their player base, but new platforms are appearing, introducing frequently new players, and a giant cake (money) to split.

I also specifically mentioned Steam and the Steam Deck, which is both mobile and "couch" console, like the switch. Thanks to THAT, PC is now streamlined and casual. Just buy that and play games. You don't have to mess with anything, just have your steam games, if you don't have them already. For your other point, bad ports are everywhere, but they also depend on who makes that port and how much costs the port. Less player base, less money and time invested, which also will reflect on the quality.

The mobile market is an almost entirely different demographic and much of that revenue comes as disguised gambling. Mobile gaming market won’t replace the traditional console market, it’s a completely different experience.

Sure, it doesn't mean they aren't intertwined. There still are popular games and lots of players, and players come and go in between consoles/PC constantly. New games are always emerging. Popular games also try to catch players in these platforms with their mobile options. This is where the money is. Sony also wants that cake, but right now can't have it, because they don't have a mobile platform.

Nintendos will continue as long as there are children out there. Nintendo offers a “safe” and curated market for children, both old and young.

Yes, but it will depend on the next console, Nintendo doesn't have anymore the monopoly on mobile consoles. Nintendo in the past had bad consoles with the same exclusives, but very poor sales. People still bought the wii u, but not everyone like the switch or the wii.

The game pass also isn’t much of a moat for Microsoft. Sony has their own offering and nothing stops them from extending it to the PC market, though highly unlikely.

But Sony needs you to have your console first, Microsoft doesn't. Even more. every machine with windows 11 is a potential new players, indifferent of their machines. There is all kind of games. Overall they have more players, since they are mixing themselves with PC.

I just don’t see the market of gaming on your couch going away. Many people value the simplicity of consoles, and PlayStation is the big name on the market.

Never said it would. But I bet my ass someone random would prefer playing on their couch/PC and continue playing exactly the same game with the same savefile while going out. You could do that only with Nintendo before, but their games are always expensive. PS5 can't do this. PC, since 2 years ago, can now included with other features that Steam had before. The same cheap games you got before on steam.

[-] Secret300@sh.itjust.works 23 points 10 months ago

In my opinion that's really surprisingm PlayStation is probably the one console left that's able to sell units because of their exclusives. Nintendo usually has that title but every console they make is able to be emulated within a year

[-] MomoTimeToDie@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago

Lmao Nintendo is doing plenty well at selling both consoles and exclusives.

[-] Socsa@sh.itjust.works 5 points 10 months ago

I'd argue that outside of Nintendo IP, the console exclusive shit is dead now that multi platform is king. You'll never ship as many units that way, and the only reason anyone knows about some of these games is Sony's aggressive (and obnoxious) marketing, which also cuts into that bottom line.

[-] rooster_butt@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

I thought the consoles were a loss leader so they could sell games.

[-] Buddahriffic@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago

I believe PlayStations tend to become profitable a few years into the cycle.

[-] Assman@sh.itjust.works 23 points 10 months ago

Put Ghost of Tsushima on PC already then

[-] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 18 points 10 months ago

Right as Microsoft announces Halo might come to Playstation.

Forward the death of platforms.

There's no special sauce left in hardware. This last generation of consoles consisted of two laptops and an Android tablet. The home boxes are whatever AMD could achieve within a $500 MSRP circa January 2020. Nothing to scoff at - but nothing mindblowing.

There is no need for separate consoles. It does not serve the consumer interest to have two incompatible releases of every single game. This isn't a console war. It's a format war.

Sony has been left desperately perpetuating the market structure that supported the PS2... when hardware shaped games. That's been flipped backwards since the PS3 and 360. Multiplatform is god. Sony's coasted on momentum and popular fiction for almost twenty years. They've had some Nintendo-ish incomparables, like VR support, but they didn't embrace that. Instead they chose to continue gambling on bribing developers for exclusives, and eventually outright buying studios.

I don't know how long that charade can continue. But if Sony sees it has to end, then it's up to them when it happens, but it is only a matter of time.

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago

Yeah, a console should just be a prebuilt PC with a controller friendly interface. So something like current handheld PCs, like Ayaneo or Steam Deck, but perhaps with a stronger focus on UX, game tuning, etc. If I want to reuse my PS6 as a PC, that should be totally feasible.

[-] 4am@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

It was doable with the PS3 and then they took it away

[-] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Seems weirdly doable with the Xbox Whatever They Called This One. Unless I'm misremembering the maniacs whose officially-enabled homebrew was Bochs emulating Windows 98.

[-] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Looks like Steam Machines might make a comeback

[-] MeDuViNoX@sh.itjust.works 15 points 10 months ago

Someone show this dude the PlayStation 9 commercial with the hallucination spores.

[-] Computerchairgeneral@kbin.social 11 points 10 months ago

Hopefully this means more Playstation exclusives on PC in the near future. Maybe even less time between the PS release and the PC one, although I'm not too hopeful on that. Also glad to see some hesitance about embracing the subscription model.

[-] vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 10 months ago

that's the death of consoles then

[-] Blackmist@feddit.uk 2 points 10 months ago

I'd read the article and not just the headline.

It doesn't read like that at all.

If cloud was the future, why does the PS Portal not use it?

[-] devilish666@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Not really, someone out there has been installed linux desktop on modded PS4 So......The only problem now is whether Sony wants to make a console that can be modified without having to crack the kernel (semi open source console).

[-] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 6 points 10 months ago

Would be quite something if PS6 turns out to be just a hdmi streaming dongle with controllers.

But sony PC ports are still taking years to arrive after their PS releases, and I can't imagine everyone being able to stream games for the same reason everyone can't download them.

Especially not in countries like the US, which have areas with absolutely atrocious internet infrastructure. I would expect them to embrace PC further, if this is their course...

Official PC support for PSVR someday? PC ports of PSVR titles?

[-] Buddahriffic@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Even with good internet infrastructure that can handle the bandwidth, I'm not really interested in cloud gaming because of the latency.

Though I do think that it's a better way to handle anti-cheat than allowing the companies to install rootkits in your kernel. And you can't really get around the latency issue with online shooters, either you run the game locally and have cases where it looks like you hit on your end but didn't on the server's end, or you have a case where you hit the trigger on your controller when the shot was lined up but don't see the shot go off until it's no longer lined up. Ultimately, I think the latter is a bit better because then you at least see reality on your screen, even if it's more frustrating to interact with. Better than a more interactive reality that is more like a hallucination.

[-] BudgieMania@kbin.social 6 points 10 months ago

Sounds pretty fucking good to me Yoshida-san

Good that they have fully understood that the few console purchases cannibalized by releasing their games on other platforms are significantly outweighted by the much more significant amount of people that would not be willing to get a PS, but would still want to buy the games.

[-] callouscomic@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

They destroyed vita on-the-go gaming. They destroyed everything PSNow could have been. Their remote play has always sucked no matter what it's played on.

This company is too incompetent and lacks focus. Don't believe anything they say. They can't just launch a new console that retains basic features of the previous.

[-] prole@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

I play my PS5 on my Steam Deck using remote play and it works wonderfully.

[-] callouscomic@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago

Are you using chiaki, or sonys official remote play app? The non-sony ones work great. The Sony ones suck in my experience on all devices.

[-] prole@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Chiaki4Deck

[-] ThePantser@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

So the PS Console is dead?

[-] peanuts4life@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 points 10 months ago

No, just a misleading title. He basically said, the PlayStation is core, but we have a future on all platforms. Absolutely nothing changed or is changing. This is not in any way news.

[-] BudgieMania@kbin.social 6 points 10 months ago

Second major paragraph of the article

“It will be ubiquitous,” Yoshida said. “Wherever there is computing, users will be able to play their favorite games seamlessly. While PlayStation will remain our core product we will expand our gaming experiences to PC, mobile, and cloud.”

[-] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Is there a pcmr community on Lemmy?

Edit: here it is

!pcmasterrace@lemmit.online

[-] nanoUFO@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

The mod is banned that runs that community. So you might want to try to take it over if you want.

[-] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago

Hmm I'll check it out. I hope I can mod on my phone

[+] ThePantser@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

[deleted]

[-] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social -4 points 10 months ago

Having used a cloud gaming machine for the last couple years, provided they have sufficiently distributed datacenters, this would work out in their favor.

I'm sure manufacturing PS5 consoles is a pain, between design, manufacturing, shipping, sales, support, and all the other stuff. If they could take the same hardware and put it somewhere with climate control, redundant power, and no toddlers shoving bread into it, they could make them a lot cheaper.

Then charge by the hour and you've got a way for people to get hooked into the Sony ecosystem without dropping $500, expanding their available market. Plus the game makers don't have the expense of discs anymore. (Which sucks for us but "it's just business.")

However, like someone else said, this is a nothingburger written to get clicks, so everything I said is baloney. But I hope it was interesting baloney. Like that Lebanon Sweet Bologna. Mmm... with some Herlocher's mustard and horseradish.

[-] stratosfear 0 points 10 months ago

Tell me you have no Internet data cap? Because cloud gaming will go nowhere until we go back to no ISP data caps.... (Which won't happen with the engrained cable providers)

[-] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 1 points 10 months ago

True, I do have unlimited data, mostly because there's actual competition for broadband where I live. But it doesn't use that much more data than streaming video, since it's just streaming the screen of the cloud PC.

[-] thegoodyinthehoody@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

I thought streaming games took more data because there was no optimization pass throughs, like Netflix can store the popular videos close to population centers and they can encode each video with knowledge of what’s coming up in its future as well as its past, where gaming videos need to be generated and encoded on the fly and could be anything

[-] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

It would still be the same amount of data at the endpoint, regardless of where they’re stored. It just costs the ISPs more for upstream bandwidth because it’s not cached in their data center.

Though a company with Sony’s reach might be able to convince ISPs to put gaming machines in the same place.

But as for the stream itself, it’s just h265 encoded video, not really different from any other video.

[-] stratosfear 0 points 10 months ago

It's not the same because of fps. You're not playing those games at 24 fps.

Games