PlayStation wants to win back PC users with PS6 handheld and exclusive games

With the rise of PC gaming, Sony realizes it has lost some of its supporters. In a recent investor Q&A, executives, including SIE President Hideaki Nishino, previewed how the company plans to lure this audience back. The approach involves new accessories, portable consoles like the rumored PS6 handheld, and exclusive games.

Multi-room vs multi-platform

One of the questions asked, “How can you bring back to the PlayStation platform users who migrated to gaming PCs during the COVID period?” Sony replied that to change the perception that “PlayStation equals the living room”, it’s “selling peripherals such as monitors and speakers.”

DualSense controllers rely on third-party workarounds to enable some wireless features in Windows. Yet, the manufacturer is introducing other accessories with fewer drawbacks. Among them is a 27-inch monitor compatible with PS5 consoles but supports a 240 Hz refresh rate. The already-available Inzone keyboard and mouse also court competitive gamers.

Given that the gear offers few perks specific to the PlayStation ecosystem, the strategy may seem questionable. Still, Sony also believes that future products can offer unique benefits. The Q&A reveals “this includes not only technological advancements but also an expansion of usage styles, enabling a seamless experience that can be enjoyed naturally beyond the living room.”

Will the PS6 handheld interest PC gamers?

The PS Portal allows streaming titles from PS5 systems, but comes up short as a standalone device. Looking ahead, reports suggest the PS6 handheld will ship alongside a more powerful next-gen system. Relying on a custom AMD APU, it would be capable of booting PS4, PS5, PS6, and exclusive games.

Nishino also recently hinted at upcoming portable hardware in a Famitsu interview. Unfortunately, the marketplace is now flooded with handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally. To appeal to this crowd, titles unique to a new console may be necessary.

In a separate part of the investor Q&A, the company admitted, “First-party software is a minority of the overall sales of SIE”, but “it serves as a core reason why people enter the PlayStation experience.” Earlier, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that SIE will move away from releasing single-player games on PCs.

Even with a campaign bolstered by new accessories, a PS6 handheld, and exclusive games, Sony may find it difficult to reengage entrenched desktop users.