While the PS5 might be facing its own price concerns, the PlayStation 6 is the console on everyone's lips this week. The next generation is claimed to consist of three new devices, launching at the same time between $350 and $1,000, running across a budget model, main console, and a handheld.
The rumors come from popular leaker Moore's Law is Dead, who ran through the PS6's likely pricing structure (from the host's perspective) in a live stream three days ago. Outside of the obvious component discussion, though, the rumors suggest three devices heading to shelves in 2027; an 'Orion' chipset-based full model and a 'Canis' chipset that will power a cheaper console and a handheld separately.
The Sony Canis handheld is perhaps the worst kept secret in PlayStation's roster right now, and has been compared to a bunch of the gaming handhelds across the spectrum. However, should these leaks run true there's a much bigger conversation to be had around the next-gen console war.
A console and companion handheld marks a shift in Sony's strategy towards prioritizing its ecosystem over its platform. Traditionally, the actual PS5 device has been the be-all, with the Portal supporting its efforts via streaming. Now we're looking at multiple devices designed to natively play your PlayStation games in different ways at their own price points.
It's this battle for ecosystem that could come to define the next generation of play. After all, Xbox's Project Helix is going all in on Windows' positioning in the market - offering a hybrid console and PC design that can take over the living room while falling back on the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds for portable play. Microsoft's ill-fated 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign was on the right lines, even if it was veering off in the wrong direction. The cash really will be in the storefronts you choose, not the hardware you play it on.
It also means Valve is going to lumber onto the console battlefield for the first time - and I can easily see a future where it scoops up the trophy.
The Steam Machine is already on pace to beat the PS6 to market (though that window is closing a little quicker), and with RAM shortages and component pricing through the roof it could well bring a generation of traditional PC players with it. As the costs of buying and upgrading PC parts continues to skyrocket, with no sign of slowing, many are looking to prebuilt solutions instead. If you've spent years building up a Steam library, you're not exactly going to throw it away for a PlayStation when the battle for the living room begins. Hell, even Xbox's co-creator is more hyped for the Steam Machine than Project Helix.
Valve already has its pieces in play, and we're still only talking rumors for Microsoft and PlayStation. With 23 years of fans behind it, fans who are now being pushed out of their previous hardware platforms, the Steam Machine could well take the lead in the 10th gen.
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