In 2019, Google claimed that the future of gaming would not involve consoles when it launched its Cloud Gaming service, Stadia. However, just under four years later, in January 2023, the service shut down after a significant failure, indicating that players were not ready to give up their physical gaming supports. Despite the rapid evolution of the industry post-pandemic, it seems Google may have been premature in its assessment.
Currently, Cloud Gaming is gaining traction, with companies like Microsoft promoting their Xbox Game Pass and the idea of gaming "everywhere," even without an Xbox console. In contrast, Sony is taking a more cautious approach. Recently, the arrival of Cloud Gaming on the PlayStation Portal was confirmed, but the company maintains that its future lies in video game consoles.
In a recent interview with Japanese magazine Famitsu, PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino discussed the PS6, clarifying that Sony is not rushing or delaying its next console release based on the PS5 and PS5 Pro. Nishino emphasized that while they are exploring all areas, including Cloud Gaming, their focus remains on video game consoles, reassuring fans that hardware is here to stay.
