Sony's Remote Play handheld Project Q has been renamed PlayStation Portal and will be available for $199 (www.gamescensor.com)
from heimy@lemm.ee to games@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 16:12
https://lemm.ee/post/5205527

#games

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scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech on 23 Aug 2023 16:27 next collapse

PlayStation Portal is the ideal device for gamers in households where they may need to share their living room TV or simply want to play PS5 games in another room of the house.

Okay I can see there being a niche there, mom and dad want to watch a movie but Jr wants to play games. I don’t know if that’s a huge market, but okay

According to the description, PlayStation Portal is only a Remote Play device and will not allow access to cloud streaming of games on PlayStation Plus Premium. As a result, in order for the PlayStation Portal to function properly, players must own PS5 hardware.

This however seems like a massive lost opportunity. Like Steam Link I assume you could choose which device to stream from, and with companies being huge on the “reoccurring revenue” train this seems like it could have added a ton of value to the device and at the same time increased their subscriptions. It would have gone from a “at home only toy for a niche market” to “pretty much anyone who has a PS5 at home and/or travels”

yads@lemmy.ca on 23 Aug 2023 17:01 next collapse

There are definitely times when either my kids or my wife is watching something and I’d rather be gaming so I think I’d probably use something like this. However, last time I tried a remote play solution from Sony the lag was brutal, so I’m a bit skeptical.

echo64@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 17:01 next collapse

They are just talking about you not being able to stream ps3 games. That’s all they are saying.

pjhenry1216@kbin.social on 23 Aug 2023 17:12 next collapse

Can one use the cloud streaming via their PS5?

Edit: also I don't think it's that niche. I see this being a common occurrence in any household with only one high end TV and more than one person who wants to use it. The price point isn't much more than a controller and a screen to begin with. They should sell the remote play hardware without the screen (just hdmi out) and controller (just include a bluetooth chip to allow controller pairing) at a lower price point to appeal to a wider market (cause portability in the household seems less useful, but just using another TV seems more common)

Aielman15@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 08:34 collapse

It certainly is a common occurrence, but I don’t see many households dropping another $200 on top of the cost of the PS5. If this existed back in the days, my parents would have told me to either play something else/go outside, or move the console to my room.

Astroturfed@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 17:18 next collapse

My experience with steam link was… Really bad. I also tried the stadia, terrible. Unless things have changed very recently streaming game tech just isn’t there yet.

scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech on 23 Aug 2023 18:15 next collapse

Streaming steam has gotten better, but it really depends on the game. I’d never play a twitch shooter like counter strike on it, but before the Deck I’d stream the Witcher from my home PC to my tiny travel laptop and it was playable. Never as a primary driver though

SuperSleuth@lemm.ee on 24 Aug 2023 12:10 collapse

No, it’s there. Just depends on what your Internet situation is and where you’re located.

phillaholic@lemm.ee on 23 Aug 2023 21:40 collapse

I’ve used remote play to play a casual / non-story game while watching Sports or some other background noise show on my TV more times than I can count. This is perfect for me.

argo_yamato@lemm.ee on 23 Aug 2023 16:36 next collapse

Playing on it so someone else can watch TV is great but has no value outside your home if it relies on your PS5. For gaming like this I will stick with the Switch.

Omegamanthethird@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 16:42 next collapse

I use my Switch exclusively for this. If this handheld can eliminate lag, I’d love to get it. But it’s priced a bit too high.

Uprise42@artemis.camp on 23 Aug 2023 16:48 next collapse

Feels like PlayStations version of the Wii U not the switch

phi1997@kbin.social on 23 Aug 2023 18:24 collapse

Except without the GamePad's uses for giving one player exclusive information in local multiplayer or the touch screen actually being used in games.

Omegamanthethird@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 16:59 next collapse

There’s a a hands on post that says it will work outside the house. It just needs to be on a wifi network still.

Astroturfed@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 17:14 next collapse

Not to mention all the same utility can be had with say a small TV or computer monitor and like a HDMI switcher for a little over $100. Maybe less if you find a good deal. I had a Wii U. The gimmick of the controller screen got old fast and it sucked pretty hard overall. Not looking to retry that failed concept.

Glide@lemmy.ca on 23 Aug 2023 17:55 next collapse

Even comparing it to the WiiU, at least some games took advantage of using both screens.

This is just the tablet as a single screen, with none of the utility.

whygohomie@reddthat.com on 24 Aug 2023 09:01 collapse

Yup. That and, if a little more distance or wireless is needed, you can remote play to android/ios devices via PSPlay w/ dual sense and 3rd party controller support.

This is basically the non-techie or expensive taste version of the remote play experience as the WiiU screen added more functionality than mirroring.

paultimate14@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 12:31 collapse

I already use Chiaki on my Deck to play my PS4/PS5.

Sometimes my wife is using the TV for something else. Sometimes I want to be out on the porch, or in bed. Sometimes I just don’t want to put my glasses on.

This thing has a better screen and, for PS5 in particular, better controller features than the Deck.

It’s a bit pricey, but not as bad as I was expecting. If it goes on sale I’ll be tempted to grab it.

Weird that PlayStation named their device the Portal and valve didn’t though lol.

gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 23 Aug 2023 16:48 next collapse

Sony making their own Wii-U tablet but with less functionality?

Seems like a great idea, totally worked out for Nintendo

TesterJ@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 17:41 next collapse

Didn’t the Wii-U mostly fail because most people didn’t know what it was? The marketing and name were terrible and plenty of people thought it was just a Wii add-on or something.

The console itself was actually pretty cool, playing Wind Waker on it was great.

EvilBit@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 18:10 next collapse

The Wii U was built around a fundamentally flawed premise that more screens = better experience. People can only pay attention to one screen at a time, and giving just one player at the console a personal additive screen in their hands doesn’t provide much meaningful benefit. The most widely appreciated feature of the system was simply the ability to play elsewhere in your home instead of in front of the TV, which is why they leaned hard into that portability with the Switch.

Edit: that said, the name and marketing were absolute disasters too.

Grangle1@lemm.ee on 23 Aug 2023 18:37 next collapse

Yeah, I never bought into the line that people were confused that a Wii U was a Wii add-on. That’s never been a major problem for similarly named consoles before and anyone I knew all knew it was a separate thing. I think that focus on having to pay attention to two screens, as you said, as well as the severe under-powering for a home console of its generation and an abysmal launch lineup of games, all leading to an abysmal launch for the console itself and third parties deciding pretty quickly to mostly bail on it, led to its relative failure.

That said, I still have my Wii U and also have fond memories of playing it. Say what you will about the severe lack of 3rd party support, Nintendo themselves put some great quality games on it: all the Zelda games (including Hyrule Warriors and the BotW port), Smash Bros 4, the original Mario Kart 8, Mario Maker, 3D World, DKC Tropical Freeze, the list goes on. Sega was pretty kind to them too for a 3rd party: Bayonetta 2, TMS #FE (underrated, IMO, good TMS/Persona style gameplay even if its story is goofy… Expected more actual FE-related content though), the quantity of Sonic games (if not quality).

EvilBit@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 18:43 next collapse

I guarantee that SOME people were confused about whether it was its own console or not - I just couldn’t say if it was enough people to make a significant difference. Frankly, it was a dumb name and a poorly marketed device that didn’t have the means to command a news cycle through power, exclusives, or an instantly compelling use case. I think it’s basically a huge swing and a miss on Nintendo’s part.

But Nintendo also has the uncanny ability to release incredible games on anything. They could release a 3-button, motion-controlled, tethered monocle game system with a smartwatch chipset and I’d give you 70% odds they launch with a game that has an unforgettable amount of charm and joy infused in it.

Pxtl@lemmy.ca on 23 Aug 2023 18:45 collapse

Back when it launched I literally saw a TV news channel demoing it as part of a “Christmas gadgets” segment call it a peripheral for the Wii. They also called Skylanders a board-game.

When you got a fountain of money by getting boomers into gaming, flubbing the branding of the sequel is a massive own-goal.

Redditiscancer789@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 00:34 collapse

Not to be ‘well ashkually’ but I mean is it? People use dual and tri monitor setups for PCs all the time. Also while smart phones didn’t have as much wide spread usage as they do now, it isn’t uncommon for people to be watching something on their TV and messing with their phone at the same time. Maybe it wasn’t flawed so much as just a bit ahead of it’s time.

EvilBit@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 05:00 collapse

Both phone usage and PC multi-monitor usage are completely different use cases of productivity and multitasking. Most gaming, especially on console, is a strictly single-taking experience. You don’t need to do things like copy and paste on a game console. And how often do you use your phone while playing a game on your console? The Wii U asserted that it was useful to give a video game two simultaneous screens in different positions. These are many reasons why this wasn’t “ahead of its time” and why the Wii U is considered an overall miss.

Redditiscancer789@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 05:04 collapse

When I did play consoles honestly a fair bit when I needed a YouTube walk through. I guess I’m weird though since I like watching TV while playing games.

EvilBit@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 05:15 collapse

That’s fair. But the Wii U wasn’t designed for playing single screen games while watching YouTube, really. Your phone already covers that.

Nefyedardu@kbin.social on 23 Aug 2023 18:50 next collapse

For me personally, Wii U was the worst console purchase I've ever made lol. If it wasn't for Smash, Mario Maker and Nintendoland with friends every once in a while I never would have turned it on. I honestly had way more fun with the Vita.

Sabin10@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 21:59 collapse

Maybe it’s because mine is modded but I get a lot of use out of my Wii u. My switch on the other hand, collects dust.

Callie@pawb.social on 23 Aug 2023 23:05 collapse

I didn’t like mine and subsequently didn’t buy many games for it because of its over reliance on the game pad, and the game pad draining its battery over night if not plugged in. Can’t access settings without the game pad, the game pad checked for updates and content way too often so the battery drained am quite often over night. Along with again, over reliance on the game pad where a lot of games I wanted to play, it was primarily built around the pad so controllers didn’t feel natural for the games

AvaAmazing@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 23 Aug 2023 23:14 collapse

It’s not really fair to compare it to the wii u because the wii u was a handheld console while this is basically a hand held gaming streaming device. The wii u is more compared to other handheld consoles/computers like the steam deck or Asus rog ally.

echo64@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 17:02 next collapse

I was on board with this for 150, 200 is just too much for it though

mindbleach@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 17:08 next collapse

Honestly, dumb as this sounds, they can’t lose. It’s not a platform. There’s no infrastructure. It doesn’t even do cloud streaming, for some reason; it is 100.0% dependent on your hardware and your network. If Sony went bankrupt tomorrow, this gizmo would still work. If the hardware’s sold at a comfortable profit and they’re not gambling anything on its success, why wouldn’t they launch this ridiculous object? They don’t care if you don’t buy it.

It’s not a handheld. It’s an accessory.

Pxtl@lemmy.ca on 23 Aug 2023 18:42 next collapse

Oh my God you idiots just bring back the Xperia Play how hard is that???

mindbleach@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 21:18 collapse

Genuinely as hard as “bring back the NGage.” Nobody wants to buy a smartphone that’s also a console platform. There’s no three-year contract required, and AT&T doesn’t get to micromanage the dashboard, but it’s still two wildly different commitments for no sufficient benefit. It means being stuck with a wonky smartphone on a longer console lifecycle and overpaying for a console with all the limitations of a smartphone.

By contrast - this is a controller with a screen in it. That’s all. Why wouldn’t they sell that? What’s the downside, for them? You buy another accessory priced well beyond its material costs, you provide all the electricity and electronics necessary for it to do anything, and they don’t care if you ever play games on it. It’s not lashed to the success of yet another online store. It’s not even a vehicle for recurring subscription fees. It’s a dongle for another toy. They have no incentive to force it to catch on. If it doesn’t sell - they’ll just stop.

Player2@sopuli.xyz on 23 Aug 2023 18:04 next collapse

I think they misunderstood what about the steam deck is making it popular

keeb420@kbin.social on 23 Aug 2023 18:06 next collapse

im more interested in the ear buds they announced. planar drivers for $200 or the over the ear with a mic for $150 are good deals afaik.

Soulyezer@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 22:53 next collapse

For 100€ more you can get a steam deck. Just saying

BorgDrone@lemmy.one on 24 Aug 2023 08:13 next collapse

For 100 more you can have a smaller screen with lower resolution, no adaptive triggers, no haptics. What a deal!

I love my steam deck but for streaming PS5 games this seems far superior.

[deleted] on 24 Aug 2023 11:25 collapse

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Nioxic@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 24 Aug 2023 10:04 next collapse

Thats 400+ ??

Soulyezer@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 11:18 collapse
Prox@lemmy.world on 26 Aug 2023 03:53 collapse

For the same price you can get a Switch Lite.

Hazdaz@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 04:13 next collapse

There’s no way that Sony of all companies could have charged less money for it. Goes to show how aggressive Valve priced the Steamdeck.

Guntrigger@feddit.ch on 24 Aug 2023 09:27 next collapse

I see a lot of comparisons to steam deck but none to Xbox.

You can literally use any phone or tablet for the same function as this with an Xbox, in addition to cloud streaming most game pass games without needing an Xbox at all.

If we saw Microsoft releasing an identical device I bet there wouldn’t be a single person defending it.

BorgDrone@lemmy.one on 24 Aug 2023 09:31 collapse

You can also use any phone or tablet to remote play on PS5.

What you’re buying here is convenience. A dedicated device with the exact same controller setup as an actual PS5, with the same features (haptics, triggers) and a nice screen with basically plug and play setup.

paultimate14@lemmy.world on 24 Aug 2023 12:26 collapse

The article doesn’t seem to mention what OS this has, but if the earlier leaks are correct and it’s android, you could even use this to do that very same Xbox streaming.

BorgDrone@lemmy.one on 24 Aug 2023 09:33 next collapse

What I haven’t seen anyone mention yet: Since the Remote Play protocol is already reverse engineered (since there are open source remote play clients like Chiaki), it would not seem difficult to create a 3rd party Remote Play server for use on any PC. You could use this to stream your PC games on.

Nioxic@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 24 Aug 2023 10:05 next collapse

Its way too specific and i am way too busy to run arouns with this thing

Does it even run over mobile data?

chetradley@lemm.ee on 24 Aug 2023 13:41 collapse

Wifi only

L3ft3r1s@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 19:42 collapse

Dead on Arrival…