During May, the last PlayStation Showcase took place, where Sony took the opportunity to announce many new games for its platform. Additionally, we got a preview of new hardware in development. Jim Ryan, the president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, introduced a device for remote PS5 gaming via streaming, internally named “Project Q.” Months after the initial announcement, Hideaki Nishino, the company’s vice president, revealed all the details about this peripheral in a post on the official PlayStation blog.
PlayStation Portal
Name and Features
What was previously known as “Project Q” will officially be named PlayStation Portal, an interesting and clever play on words. On one hand, the name refers to the device’s functionality, serving as a portal that communicates actions to the console, which executes them. The device itself cannot natively run games, so it cannot be considered a “portable console.” Additionally, its initials are the same as Sony’s first portable console, the PlayStation Portable, making the name both ingenious and a bit confusing.
Regarding the hardware, it includes all the key features of the DualSense wireless controller, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. It features an 8-inch LCD screen capable of displaying images in 1080p at 60 frames per second, ensuring visual quality that meets today’s standards. It also includes a 3.5mm audio jack.
Since it’s a remote gaming device that works via streaming, a stable and robust internet connection via Wi-Fi is essential. This means you can forget about enjoying your favorite games on the subway or in the mountains. Another limitation is that the device cannot run virtual reality games or titles streamed via cloud gaming. Consequently, the number of available games will be somewhat reduced. As I previously mentioned, the PlayStation Portal cannot be defined as a fully portable console, and Sony doesn’t try to hide that fact, clearly describing it as a “remote-use device.”
“PlayStation Portal is the perfect device for gamers living in households where they need to share the living room TV or simply want to enjoy their PS5 games in another room of the house. PlayStation Portal will connect remotely to your PS5 via Wi-Fi, allowing you to seamlessly transition from playing on the console to playing on your PlayStation Portal.
The PlayStation Portal remote player supports compatible games installed on the PS5 console and the use of the DualSense controller. It also includes a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio. It does not support PS VR2 games, which require the VR headset, nor games streamed through PlayStation Plus Premium cloud gaming.”
Hideaki Nishino details in his post.
Release Date and Price
PlayStation Portal will launch later this year, with further details about its pre-order date to be announced soon. The price has been confirmed at €220 in the European market and $200 in North America.
