- PlayStation Portal was released on 15 November.
- Sony confirms that the hardware is not meant to turn a profit.
- It hopes that the handheld will encourage gamers to spend more time with their PS5 consoles.
The PlayStation Portal is now available worldwide. As an add-on to the PS5, it serves the purpose of allowing PlayStation fans to expand their gaming hardware, adding the ability to play games through the console over an internet connection.
Previously, Sony claimed that the handheld was designed to offer unique benefits for PS5 players instead of competing with the likes of the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck.
Staying true to this claim, the company now states that profitability was not a major concern when creating the PlayStation Portal.
Why it matters: The PlayStation Portal has led to a lot of confusion and criticism, with many stating that the handheld has no purpose and should not exist.
AV Watch recently spoke with Hideaki Nishino, the SVP of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Discussing the various accessories released by the company this year, the PlayStation Portal was eventually brought into the conversation.
When asked whether all PS5 users would want to buy the new PlayStation handheld, Hideaki Nishino stated:
“Rather than profitability, we want to increase the amount of time we can play with the PS5.”
Therefore, Sony has created a bespoke handheld that serves to leverage convenience for greater engagement. According to Hideaki Nishino, if players are able to enjoy games anywhere at their leisure, this will motivate them to spend more time with the PS5.
This is where the PlayStation Portal excels, allowing gamers to take a variety of experiences on the go. These statements also suggest that it is an experimental product for Sony since cloud gaming is still an up-and-coming sector of the market today.
Therefore, Sony is already aware of the limited appeal and risks associated with launching a device like the PlayStation Portal. Still, pre-order results across Japan and the US have been encouraging.
Initial impressions of the PlayStation Portal have been mostly positive. Unsurprisingly, the functionality of the hardware is dependent on the quality of the internet connection. This means that only users with top-notch connections can use it to its maximum potential.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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