Sony Announces PlayStation Game Streaming Device, Codenamed Project Q

At the PlayStation Showcase, Jim Ryan gave us a brief glimpse at what the future of game streaming on PlayStation could look like. He showed off an 8-inch HD screen. Take a look at it down below:

It has all the buttons of a DualSense. Is there a chance that it could be a cloud gaming handheld? Well, we’ll have to wait, as no release date was announced for this.

During the showcase, Ryan stated, “We will launch a dedicated device that enables you to stream any game from your PS5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi.” Referred to internally as “Project Q,” the handheld boasts a large screen and has all the buttons and functionalities of the acclaimed DualSense wireless controller.

It is said that the Project Q’s screen will be capable of running games at up to 1080p and 60fps over Wi-Fi. Additionally, it will offer the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback that is already present in the DualSense controller. Seems to me like a tablet was slapped onto the PS5 Controller.

While Sony did not disclose the exact launch date or pricing details, the company confirmed that the Q handheld is scheduled to release later this year.

It’s important to note that Sony, in their presentation clarified that games played on the Project Q device must be installed on a PlayStation 5 console itself.

The handheld is intended to serve only a companion device, improving upon the remote play experience for PS5 users, rather than a standalone gaming system like the Steam Deck or cloud gaming services, like the GeForce Now.

Also, there were some comments passed by fans as to why is this actually needed if it doesn’t house proper hardware itself. It is basically the same thing as the PlayStation Remote Play.

The initial announcement did not mention cloud gaming capabilities for the Project Q, but it is possible that Sony might integrate this feature at a later stage. After all, it would be surprising for Sony to overlook the potential revenue streams offered by cloud gaming services.

Also, Sony’s teaser did not clarify whether the Project Q handheld will support game streaming outside of a home network. At the moment, Remote Play only allows for cellular connections, although tethering to a phone or hotspot may be necessary since Sony has only mentioned Wi-Fi connectivity for the handheld.

With Project Q, it is not surprising that Sony is responding to the rising popularity of handheld gaming devices. While the Nintendo Switch remains at the top, newer entrants like Valve’s Steam Deck and Asus’ ROG Ally (check out the comparison here) are offering alternative ways to play modern games on newer hardware.

For this device, this is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.