New Sony reports have verified that PlayStation Portal is the favorite among users of PS5 Remote Play. Senior Manager Takuro Fushimi shared that the device has overtaken smartphones, computers, and even PlayStation consoles in terms of remote gaming sessions. According to him, Portal users are significantly more engaged than their counterparts. Initially, the handheld’s market demand was questioned, but Fushimi stated that the response of the community was “overwhelming.”
At first, reactions among people varied widely with the Portal’s announcement. Some individuals were more confused than anything and were asking: “What is this thing supposed to be for? Is it just a screen with a controller split in half?” It appears Sony was very much aware of the situation and was counting on the numbers to back them up. The gadget is now identified as the top choice for remote gaming on your PS5 if you are not seated on the couch. It is extraordinary to think about this considering the other alternatives, such as mobile, web, and PC platforms for playing the same games.
Fushimi has explicitly declared “Before the launch of the Portal, there were doubts regarding the demand for it” – really? The most varied opinions animated the Internet, and one of them was that this situation was just another Vita one waiting to happen. Yet, it is the case that people want a special gadget for such a purpose. The stats reveal that the number of individuals opting for Portal is less when compared to the users of other means of remote play, which is understandable because if you buy something exclusively for playing remotely, you would most likely use it more than someone who occasionally uses the app on his phone.
As always, the comment section of the original tweet was full of messy and chaotic debates. Some people seemed really thrilled about the device. Among them was @Hotsauce365 who wrote “Ngl I initially thought it was goofy looking. Having now owned one, it’s the best interface and very comfortable with as good a non-OLED screen that one could have, it’s brilliant.” This is quite a mighty endorsement from a former doubter.
But on the other hand, the haters were also quick to voice their opinions. One user, @Violet_Umbra, remarked: “Chiaki exists. You don’t need a glorified $200 controller with a screen for that.” Well, third-party alternatives are fantastic indeed, but obviously, a large number of consumers prefer to pay for an official experience. User @TimoTim19 adopted the console war narrative with his comment, “Funny, I was told by the PlayStation fanboys that remote play didn’t count on the Xbox Ally to play console games” – come on, buddy, can’t we just let people enjoy the things they like?
The timing of the announcement is also very interesting because shortly before this announcement, Sony revealed a new update that would allow streaming via the Portal. @ShadePJ summed it up like this, “With the recent Cloud Streaming update, the PlayStation Portal just got even better and way more useful,” and this is absolutely the case. You are no longer restricted to playing only those games that are already installed on your PS5 – instead, you can stream directly from the cloud library. That is a real revolution.
Some of the responses indicated that there was some confusion, @turftoerazer commented: “I don’t get it.. how can the Portal surpass the PS5 for PS5 remote play..? The PS5 can’t remote play itself lol wtf” which… yeah, if you go by the literal meaning, then that part of the quote is indeed strange. But they clearly mean in comparison to the other devices you can use for remote play and not that the PS5 is remotely playing to itself. That would indeed be some inception-level gaming.
What really fascinates is how the perception of the people changes every time they use the device. It’s like a few among the people, who once thought it was dumb, then absolutely loved it the moment they got hands-on with it. The early doubt trailing the product being wiped out by tatsächliche Erfahrung (actual experience) is a good sign, indeed. Also, the comfort issue is still valid; it is almost like a phone clipped with a controller does not quite feel right ever.
Still, the engagement statistics are the most effective weapon in Sony’s arsenal. The fact that, Portal users are playing more than non-users implies that this device is not just a temporary novelty purchase that will be left dormant. Oppositely, users are truly incorporating it into their gaming habits which is precisely the scenario that Sony wants. The device is not gradually supplanting the main console experience but rather giving players more choices by providing flexibility.
Let’s face it — in a family where the TV might be occupied or if you want to play in bed or whatever, getting a device that is parent-free, and works without my fiddling with phone apps or computer setups is very attractive.
