Rumour: portable PlayStation 6 will run games from PS5 without developers having to optimise for the new device

While previous reports have hinted that the upcoming portable PlayStation 6 will be able to run PS5 games, albeit at a lower resolution, the latest insider information goes even further. On the NeoGAF forums, user Kepler, who previously accurately predicted the use of RDNA 4 in the PS5 Pro, stated that the portable PS6 will have compatibility with the PS5 at the level of the shader binaries used.

Here's What We Know

Theoretically, this means that developers will not have to make significant efforts to make their games work on the new portable console. Thanks to the compatibility of shader binaries, games will be able to run with little or no additional compilation. On the other hand, Kepler notes that without optimisation, the performance of games on the portable PS6 may not be perfect. Therefore, developers will probably have to do some work to ensure smooth fps on the new platform.

Although Sony has not yet made any official announcements regarding the development of a new generation of PlayStation consoles, a statement from the company back in 2022 hinted at a possible release of the console after 2027. This statement, made during the process of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, also included Sony's concerns about the possible lack of Call of Duty games on their platforms after the deal.

Historically, prior to the PS4, Sony followed a 5-year console release cycle, starting with the original PlayStation and ending with the PS3. However, the PS4 was released in 2013, ending the longest console generation at the time - 8 years. This standard is still maintained by Sony to this day, as the PS5 was released about 8 years after the PS4.

If the rumours of Sony developing a portable gaming system to complement the PS6 home console turn out to be true, the company will be returning to the portable gaming market after more than a decade of absence caused by the commercial failure of the PlayStation Vita.

Source: NeoGaf