While we haven’t even begun to tap into the full potential of the PS5, fans are already beginning to talk about what Sony’s next console, the PlayStation 6, will look like – even if others believe the PS5 to be the company’s last console. Will it be bulky like previous releases? Will Sony revert to a traditional square console look? Or can we imagine something a bit more sci-fi futuristic looking? Let’s take a look at the PS6’s potential.
The End Of The PS5
It might seem hard to believe, but the PlayStation 5 has been around for nearly three years. With an average lifespan of around five years, it might already be high time for Sony’s ninth-generation juggernaut to consider retirement. Especially if the rumours about the PS5 Pro turn out to be true.
Released in the middle of a global pandemic, things haven’t been easy for the PlayStation 5. Still, considering that Xbox and Nintendo seem to have found their own niches, Sony spearheads the market for home consoles in this generation. The lack of competition might be great for sales – but not necessarily for innovation.
What could we expect from Sony’s next console? Besides an increase in horsepower, Sony’s design choices with the PS5 could tell us what to expect from the PlayStation 6. Besides a Grand Theft Auto VI remaster, of course.
Console’s Design
The PlayStation 5 is a bit of an odd one compared to its cousins. The general design language of the PS5 reminds us of the jump between the angular design of the PS2 and the “grill-esque” curves of the PlayStation 3. Not everyone was a fan of the more rounded PlayStation, and the same goes for the PS5’s gigantic body. After all, even the “Slim” redesign towers over the Xbox Series X.
Considering how Sony went back to basics with the PS4, we could expect this same return to form with the PS6. A more “boxy” design akin to the PS2 or the PlayStation 4 seems like the way to go for Sony. I mean, it doesn’t have to go full-on fridge mode like Xbox, but keeping things simple might work better for gamers who want to put their consoles on their desks more comfortably.
Digital or Physical
Game preservation and physical media are a bit of a hot topic for gamers at the moment. Sure, nothing beats the convenience of instant downloads, but some of us still long for the days of game boxes coming with instruction booklets. Also, as Sony fans might know due to recent debacles, having your games stored in a physical medium can be the only way to preserve the original artistic intention of some games.
Looking at the PlayStation 5 Slim, I think it’s safe to say Sony might follow the same path with the PS6. That is, physical drives might become an optional add-on rather than an on-console feature. Selling the disc drive separately might be more convenient not just for Sony but for players who might prefer a digital-only experience—whoever they are.
DualSense 2 or DualShock 5?
Finally, let’s talk controllers. Perhaps the most important part of any console, coming up with a great controller design, might be the difference between total success and becoming a technological oddity. Just ask the Wii U.
For four generations, Sony’s DualShock controllers dominated the video game market for console players. However, their small size and awkward buttons made Microsoft’s alternatives much more attractive to PC players.
Enter the DualSense – a controller that might be the best to come out of the PlayStation 5’s product family. Versatile, rechargeable, and full of nifty gizmos and gimmicks, the DualSense reinvigorated Sony’s gaming pedigree. It’s safe to say that the PlayStation 6 will likely use a revamped version of the DualSense’s design.
While adding some of the features of the DualSense Edge seems unlikely, introducing features like better haptic feedback and perhaps better PC support seems almost necessary – especially considering how big of a market Sony has found with PC gaming.
With a release date no earlier than 2028, we’ll still have to stick with the bulky PS5 for a while. However, knowing Sony, we know that one thing we can always expect is the unexpected. Let’s just hope that “unexpected” looks nothing like the PlayStation Portal.
Tell us, what do you think the PlayStation 6 will look like?
