Despite the poor reception of other recently released cloud-based handheld gaming devices, Sony will soon release it's own PS5 handheld called 'Project Q'.
During the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase event, Sony revealed its brand new PS5 handheld gaming device, internally named 'Project Q', confirming the strong recent rumours about the company's plans to dip into the portable gaming market once again. It hasn't disclosed too many details surrounding the new PlayStation console, but from what we know so far, I can't help but feel utterly disappointed.
All we know about Project Q so far is that the device will be launched later this year, and that it will allow you to stream games from your PS5 console using remote play over Wi-Fi. The announcement teaser specified that games have to be installed on your PS5 console, and that VR games are excluded. So don't get it twisted, this is a cloud gaming device, not a dedicated handheld.
It houses all of the same buttons and features as a PS5 DualSense wireless controller, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. It has been confirmed that it will able to stream games in HD, with reliable leaker Geoff Keighley stating that the device features an 8-inch LCD screen capable of up to 1080p resolution at 60fps. There's no mention of pricing right now, but considering the PSVR 2 is currently priced higher than a PS5 console, you can rest assured that it won't be cheap.
Project Q? Or Project L?
After the successful launch of Valve's Steam Deck, and alternatives such as the Asus ROG Ally entering the market rather steadily too, it feels like Sony may have panicked when putting together its own handheld gaming device, wanting to capitalise on their popularity at the moment.
Somehow, the Logitech G Cloud's extremely poor reception, following its announcement back in September 2022, wasn't enough to make Sony realise that players don't really want a portable gaming console which only streams games, rather than running them directly on the device.
Sony was a giant in the original handheld gaming market, with its iconic PlayStation Portable, better known as the PSP and the subsequent PlayStation Vita. Both of these devices were able to run games natively, so there was no need for external consoles to stream from, or a Wi-Fi connection in order to play. So, why have we moved backwards since then?
Project Q really could have been the next big thing in the handheld gaming market. It could have allowed people who don't have access to a PS5 console to still get their hands on amazing PlayStation exclusives, which would have allowed it to continue to conquer the gaming market. Instead, we have been handed another glorified device which, frankly, probably won't do much more than what your mobile phone phone can do.
