Are gaming consoles reaching final form? Former PlayStation boss says no more major hardware leaps

Large quote: What’s going to the consoles of the longer term be like in comparison with as we speak’s machines from Sony and Microsoft? Former PlayStation Studios boss Shawn Layden does not imagine there will likely be vital enhancements in future generations, actually nothing just like the {hardware} leap between the PS1 and PS2. He thinks the largest modifications will likely be discovered within the video games themselves.

Talking in an interview with Eurogamer, Layden notes how the technological bounce from the unique PlayStation to the PS2, nonetheless the best-selling console of all time, was a dramatic one. He cites his disbelief at seeing the Gran Turismo demo for the primary time, one thing this author additionally remembers experiencing.

Layden notes how the transfer from the PS2 to PS3 launched the HD customary and 60 FPS in a number of video games, however the transfer from PS3 to PS4 “was simply, like, getting the community factor finished proper.”

As for the PS5, Layden calls it a incredible little bit of equipment, “however the precise distinction in efficiency [compared to the PS4]… we’re attending to the realm, frankly, the place solely canine can hear the distinction now.” Talking about generational console {hardware} upgrades, he mentioned, “now we have type of maxed on the market.”

Might we ever see a generational enchancment in console efficiency matching that of the PS1 to PS2? Layden doubts it, and undoubtedly not any time within the subsequent few a long time.” I imply, what would that leap appear to be? It could be perfectly-realised human actors in a sport that you simply fully management. That might occur sooner or later. I do not suppose it will occur in my lifetime.”

Layden believes the innovation curve on {hardware} is beginning to plateau. He additionally notes that Xbox and PlayStation consoles have just about the identical chipset constructed by AMD, including that every firm has its personal OS and “proprietary secret sauce,” however in essence it is the identical. “I feel we’re just about near remaining spec for what a console might be.”

With console {hardware} turning into much less necessary, Layden says the true competitors would be the content material they supply. “I feel we’re at some extent the place the console turns into irrelevant within the subsequent… if not the subsequent era then the subsequent subsequent era undoubtedly,” Layden mentioned.

Layden additionally believes Sony will proceed to maintain most of its video games unique to its console reasonably than construct variations for competing, smaller platforms akin to Xbox. Whereas Microsoft has launched a few of its video games on PS5, akin to Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, and Hello-Fi Rush, Sony is unlikely to return the favor sooner or later, because the small gross sales wouldn’t be well worth the outcry.

Layden says releasing PC variations of PlayStation video games years after they first arrive on the console causes loads of anger amongst Sony followers, so Xbox releases from PlayStation Studios would end in much more outcry, probably harming Sony’s model status. “I do not know if the juice is well worth the squeeze,” he mentioned.

In October, Layden said that the video games business had stopped specializing in making enjoyable video games and as a substitute spends all its power on monetization.