Ex-Naughty Dog dev wants PS6 and Project Helix release date delay to 2030+

With the memory shortage, gamers dread the cost of Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles. Some insiders expect Project Helix and PS6 prices to exceed $1,000. However, studios may also worry that the new hardware will strain budgets. A former Naughty Dog character artist has proposed delaying their release dates until at least 2030.

Del Walker also worked for Rocksteady Studios and Respawn Entertainment on AAA games such as Batman: Arkham Knight and The Last of Us Part II Remastered. On social media, Walker addressed an Insider Gaming report about a troubling updated PS6 price estimate.

Can new consoles cause job losses?

With studios already closing regularly, the developer warned that the systems “will cause more bloodshed.” He noted that the “cost of game development has never gone down when a new console arises.” Walker questions whether the added “complexity, cost, and dev time” lead to significantly better games.

The ex-Naughty Dog dev argues that creators are more efficient and thrive when faced with technical limitations. Fearing layoffs, he hopes for a release date delay and that the “PS6 and Xbox Project Helix never steps foot into this decade.”

When new Xbox and PlayStation consoles surface, studios devote personnel and resources to upgrading assets and implementing the latest advancements. That said, the process has become smoother compared to older generations. Using familiar architectures, the systems will boast backward compatibility with PS5, PC, or aging Xbox titles.

Sony and Microsoft believe that studios can trim overhead without affecting the quality of games. Both view generative AI as a tool that can reduce workloads, but artists like Walker contend they can’t emulate human creativity.

Next-gen hype levels are low

If confronted with astronomical prices, many buyers also would rather see the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S lifecycles extended. It’s debatable if the improved graphics and performance would justify the costs. Regardless, there are no definitive signs yet of PS6 and Project Helix release date delays.

Acknowledging the storage and memory shortage, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma pledged to use innovation to lower the Project Helix price. Meanwhile, Sony is aware of the growing manufacturing challenges. Yet it may have invested too heavily in the next PlayStation console to warrant a lengthy postponement.