Harada predicts Sony will eventually do away with console hardware, and the PS5 will be a digital service based on Cloud
Posted by Steven 'Dreamking23' Chavez • October 4, 2013 at 8:56 p.m. PDT • Comments: 58
In a Famitsu interview, Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada spoke about where he feels console gaming may end up. Specifically citing Sony in his example, Harada feels that the company will eventually rid themselves of console hardware, and the PlayStation 5 will be a digital service instead.
He states that if Sony's Cloud service progresses, we may see their next-next-gen console come in the form of a digital service, like Steam.
Check out what he had to say below.
I think in the future things will be played on the service, rather than on the hardware. The Cloud is often mentioned, and if Cloud services progress, the time when only the name of the service will remain will come some day.
The PS5 probably won’t Have a main console, but just the screen and controller. So what remains will be just the name of the service. It could be named just “PlayStation network”. Steam is defined a platform, but it’s not a hardware platform. It’s the name of the service.
This year, we've seen multiple fighting game companies go the digital route, and create free-to-play versions of their most popular IPs. Tekken Revolution, Dead or Alive 5: Core Fighters, Soul Calibur: Lost Swords, and Killer Instinct are just a few of the titles currently available or soon to be available for download. The PS5 probably won’t Have a main console, but just the screen and controller. So what remains will be just the name of the service. It could be named just “PlayStation network”. Steam is defined a platform, but it’s not a hardware platform. It’s the name of the service.
Hit the jump to read on.
With the free-to-play business model running rampant in fighting games right now, one can only wonder if Harada-san is right. Do you think gaming companies will eventually do away with hardware, and operate on a strictly digital format?
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Dual Shockers. Tip by RedRapperSux.
