“Everybody loves streaming their video games, right?” is how we envision Sony’s meeting thinking up Project Q – a new, handheld “console” that supposedly makes it easier to play your PS5 games — going. You know, instead of playing your actual PlayStation 5. We’re not marketing experts but we could have told Sony months ago that no, people most certainly do not like streaming games. Unfortunately, we weren’t invited and now we’re stuck with a wannabe PSP that needs the internet to play games already installed on your PS5. Uh, cool, we guess?
Project Q was officially announced at Wednesday’s PlayStation Showcase, alongside a whole host of game trailers, and another piece of hardware; the PlayStation Earbuds. But we’ll get to those in a sec.
Project Q(uit being stupid, Sony)
“We will launch a dedicated device that enables you to stream any game from your PS5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi,” said PlayStation Head Jim Ryan during last night’s showcase. We don’t know much about the PS5-like handheld, though we know enough to know we’re not happy about it.
Let’s look at those specs first. Project Q will have an 8in LCD display (not even OLED?) capable of running in 1080p and 60fps over WiFi, according to Sony. And if those controllers are looking a little familiar – that’s because they’re just sliced-in-half PS5 controllers, complete with all the same buttons, triggers, and even haptic feedback.
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You won’t play games natively on this thing like you would the Steam Deck or ROG Ally would. Sony has described this as a companion to your PS5, with the trailer’s fine print confirming that “Games must be installed on PS5 console and excludes VR games.” Sony’s announcement failed to mention whether Project Q would even work outside of your home’s WiFi. We’ll have to wait and see.
Neither did it mention a release date or price. Considering that this is a “console” designed to accompany a PS5, we’re hoping for a price that’s sensible. This is Sony we’re talking about though, so gear up for at least a price as (or more) expensive than Nintendo’s Switch (and we all know those aren’t cheap).
Cover your ears, PlayStation Earbuds are coming
Okay, this one we’re not so mad about. Right after Project Q’s announcement, Sony followed it up with the PlayStation Earbuds. These are the company’s first set of Bluetooth-enabled earbuds that can be used with the PS5 (or PC and mobile if you’re so inclined).
If Sony is to be believed, these will feature “new wireless technology developed by SIE” meaning that they’ll be capable of delivering lossless audio at a low latency. And… that’s it. We know they exist and include lossless audio. Other than that, Sony has yet to reveal more information. Sony did confirm that we’d be hearing more “in the months ahead.”
If you’re more interested in the software side of things; check out our trailer roundup from the PlayStation Showcase right here.