During the PlayStation Showcase, Sony officially announced the development of a PlayStation handheld device called Project Q. The aim of this device is to provide an easier way to play PS5 games remotely. Jim Ryan, the head of PlayStation, confirmed that Project Q will be a dedicated device that allows players to stream games from their PS5 consoles using Remote Play over Wi-Fi.
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It features an 8-inch HD LCD screen capable of running games at up to 1080p and 60fps. The handheld will also include the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback of the DualSense wireless controller.
Sony plans to launch Project Q later this year, although the exact release date and pricing details have not been revealed yet. According to Sony’s announcement, games played on Project Q must be installed on a PS5 console, indicating that it is designed as a companion device rather than a standalone gaming system like the Steam Deck or smartphones. However, considering Sony’s involvement in cloud gaming and ongoing efforts to improve its cloud gaming service, it is possible that cloud gaming may be added to Project Q in the future.
It is worth noting that Sony’s Remote Play currently supports connections over cellular networks, although Sony has only mentioned Wi-Fi connectivity for Project Q. The handheld is seemingly intended for in-home streaming rather than playing games on the go.
With Project Q, Sony is responding to the rising popularity of handheld gaming devices. While the Nintendo Switch has been a tremendous success, newer options like Valve’s Steam Deck and Asus’ ROG Ally have emerged, offering more modern hardware and capabilities. Sony’s Project Q has its own unique feature in that it exclusively supports Wi-Fi streaming. However, for those seeking a Sony-produced handheld to play the latest PlayStation games, Project Q could be an exciting option.
In the meantime, if players want to experience game streaming from their PS5, they can utilize Remote Play on various devices such as iPhones, Android phones, Windows PCs, and Macs without having to wait for the release of Sony’s handheld device.
