According to a deleted tweet published by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, the PS Portal will be tracked as a console in the firm’s next video game sales report. This, allegedly, is due to a request by Sony. Many had expected the Remote Play handheld to be listed as an accessory like the DualSense – especially as it needs to be connected to a PS5 console to function.
We’ve already got some early sales results from Spain, where the portable sold 5,700 units at launch – a pretty impressive number all things considered. It’ll be interesting to see how it performs globally, and what kind of attach rate it can attain. The early indications are that Sony read the market correctly, though, and there is an audience for this type of gizmo.
Right now, the platform holder is scrambling to ship new inventory, as the unit is pretty much out of stock in most parts of the world. Hopefully it can keep up with demand – especially while word of mouth is pretty strong.
[source resetera.com]
Comments 22
I wonder what else they consider to be a console? Headphones, charging docks, controllers, ssds etc?
If LOTR: Gollum is being tracked as a game and not just an attempt, then this shouldn't come as a surprise.
...But it isn't a console. Can someone explain to me how this makes any sense?
It’s not a console but with the PS5 doing the leg work it bloody looks like it graphics wise lol
Interesting, then there's maybe a chance that Sony has further plans for it.
Massive flex by Sony to line it up against Xbox just to show people how weak Xbox is.
@DaniPooo There was that one interview last week or the week before where one of the folks at Sony suggested that it could stream games from PSN, but they wanted to make sure game streaming on PSN was up to scratch first.
It was by no means a commitment, but it was interesting.
This will be much better once they allow it to use the PS Plus Streaming function that's exclusive to PS5 console atm.
I absolutely love this device. Up until now I would often opt for the Switch version of games because of the portability, but the Portal works so well for me I think I'll be getting the PS version of games anymore.
Yet it's listed as an accessory on their own online store.
That's just plain stupid.
Go on then, play it without a PS5 and tell me it's s console. It's as much a console as my TV is
Men,we could have had a playstation handheld that would be the successor to the PSVita, with power kevels rivaling that of the switch or probably even bettering it.
Instead we got a glorified tablet with remote play,which somehow has less features than an actual low end tablet.
And so the confusion continues...
Perhaps it will open Sony's eyes on what the Portal could have been if they would have aimed for a standalone approach.
I predict a lot of scalpers holding these and losing money.
@rachetmarvel
For £200 😐
Oh great, tracking. COD and Fortnite players are gonna be the death of gaming now. Sony bigwigs: ooooooh COD and Fortnite on the up let's scrap single player games and make COD pay to play clones 😑
Sony pulling a PS2 is a PC again but with the PS Portal huh hmm. It's stupid.
Is a PS5 Camera a console. Nope. So why is the Portal any different.
Let alone Playlink games using the player's 'phone' and connecting to the PS4 as a peripheral.
Buzz games for PS2 with the buzzers, Singstar microphones.
Like come on.
@Czar_Khastik damn that's hurtful 💔 😢 lol 😆
@RainbowGazelle I'll explain it. About 2 weeks ago Hideaki Nishino Senior VIce President for Sony reported that "There are no technical problems with PS Portal supporting Cloud Streaming. We will start with Remote Play and proceed with verification" meaning later down the line PS portal will become a standalone system supporting PS plus premium. So just like Logitech G cloud is a cloud streaming console. The PS portal will be a cloud streaming console at some point.
I preordered the Portal. Absolutely love it! Now when I go to friends and family’s houses, I don’t have to bring my PS5. Just the Portal and it works well! It is an amazing device that workd in conjunction with the PS5. To call is a “console” is stange. It is a Remote Play game streaming device that works way better than a phone or tablet. Keep up the great work, Sony! You kickin’ butt!
@DaniPooo
Isn’t it just a low-life attempt at increasing console “sales”? Then again. This probably isn’t mixed with PS5 sales. If so, then that would be a ***** move. ‘Cause a PS5 this isn’t..
@RamboMike I don't think so, most people considering to buy something don't go to check sales reports to get the information on the item. This is more for investors I think and over all transparency.
To sell units they usually rely on their marketing team, social media and influencers to spread the word. We had all of that and it was pretty clear that they don't market this as a console.
Perhaps I misread the article.. I don't know, English is not my native language.
But to me it sounds like the PS Portal will be categorised as a game console on a sales report only. And that's could be because Sony is interested in turning the Portal into a streaming console that could be used on its own to stream from Sony's dedicated streaming servers at some point and not only the PS5.
If that's the case then I could understand that they want to track it as such from the start.
It would then become similar to a handheld google stadia like device that can also stream from your PS5, and at that point they might wan't to market it as a streaming console.
But these are just my wild speculations. I am likely completely wrong.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...