There has been two focuses in the video game industry that has been a rise over the last few years, cloud streaming and the resurgence of handheld devices. Microsoft has continued its push making everything an Xbox with the help of its Xbox Cloud Streaming initiative and Game Pass. Recently, Steam released a new peripheral of the popular Steam Deck handheld device. Nintendo has also seen success with Nintendo Switch and PlayStation released the PlayStation Portal as a way to game portable by streaming PS5 over the internet. However, it seems that Sony is not done with handhelds as Bloomberg reports that a new handheld console that will play PS5 games is in development.
Bloomberg reports that the product is aimed at expanding Sony’s reach and contending with Nintendo in the portable gaming market as well as Xbox who also recently revealed that they are working on a portable device too.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer talked about Xbox’s plans for handheld. Spencer said the “expectation is that we would do something” in the handheld game devices category, but such a device is a few years out.
Right now, Microsoft is focussing on improving the Xbox app so it works better on existing handheld gaming devices.
“Longer term, I love us building devices,” Spencer said. “And I think our team could do some real innovative work, but we want to be informed by learning and what’s happening now.”
People familiar with the development of the new PlayStation handheld said that the device is likely years away from launch. The people also noted that the company could still decide against bringing it to market.