As Sony and Microsoft drop hints about their next-generation plans, one reader believes he has deciphered their strategy. In a reader feature for GameCentral, Cranston outlines a vision where both companies pivot toward multiple devices, including portable consoles, rather than a single traditional next-gen leap. The analysis comes amid ongoing speculation about the PS6 and Microsoft's Project Helix, which the company recently confirmed is more than just one console.
Microsoft's Project Helix and the Portable Push
Cranston begins by questioning why Microsoft would invest in a new console at all, given the underwhelming sales of the Xbox Series X and S. He notes, however, that Microsoft's repeated emphasis on Project Helix makes cancellation unlikely, as it would severely damage the brand's credibility. "If they were a normal company they absolutely would [cancel] but they're so rich nothing really matters to them," he writes.
The reader observes that both Sony and Microsoft appear to be converging on a similar strategy: multiple devices, one of which is a portable. While nothing is confirmed, Cranston argues that hints from both companies about portables are too strong to ignore. He draws parallels to the success of the Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, but questions the feasibility of a portable more powerful than the PlayStation 5.
Why Portables Can't Be Next-Gen
Cranston reasons that a portable or hybrid console exceeding PS5 performance would be prohibitively expensive, so the portables must be based on current-gen tech or earlier. He points to Sony's existing technology that downscales game graphics to "save power," which he believes is actually intended for a handheld device slightly less powerful than a PS5 but capable of playing its games.
"That's a plan that makes some sort of sense, although it's still going to be very expensive, probably not much less than a standard PlayStation 5," Cranston explains. He suggests that both Sony and Microsoft are planning a hyper-expensive next-gen console, possibly costing a grand or more, but with no exclusives. Instead, all games would work across PS5, the portable, and the PS6, ensuring a unified ecosystem.
A 'Super PS5 Pro' and No True Next-Gen
The reader interprets Microsoft's implication of more than two devices as potentially a mid-tier option inspired by the Xbox Series S. The end result, he argues, is that there won't be a true next generation. Instead, consumers will see current-gen technology repackaged into portable form and a "Super PS5 Pro." All devices would play the same games, acknowledging that a full generational leap may no longer be necessary.
"It's kind of an acknowledgement that there doesn't need to be a next gen, but Sony and Microsoft need to sell hardware, so they've got to come up with some reason for you to part with your money," Cranston writes. He doubts the strategy will succeed, predicting that only a small minority will want the most powerful console or a portable PS5, especially given the high costs driven by the ongoing component crisis.
Cost Concerns and the Need for Cheaper Consoles
Cranston emphasizes that the industry needs cheaper consoles and games, but this half-generation move will likely result in higher price tags, further alienating ordinary consumers. He suggests the only hope is a console priced below the PS5, though he admits no such hint has been dropped. "I will say this though, if their only plan is to sell even more expensive consoles then that's not going to work for a second. And I can't believe they don't realise that," he concludes.
The reader's feature reflects growing speculation about the next generation, with Sony and Microsoft yet to confirm specifics. As the industry awaits official announcements, the debate over affordability and innovation continues to shape expectations for the PS6 and Project Helix.
