PS6 Graphics
Image: Push Square

If the PS5 has taught us anything, it's that we're well into the realm of diminishing returns when it comes to pursuing better and better graphics in video games.

Indeed, for generations, console manufacturers like Sony have used graphical fidelity to sell systems — but abundantly clear improvements are becoming more and more difficult to identify (especially at a glance).

The jump from PS1 to PS2, for example, was mind-blowing at the time — and going from the PS3 to PS4 was pretty eye-opening as well. But PS4 to PS5? Well, it's fair to say that the shift hasn't been anywhere near as dramatic.

And that's something Sony must keep in mind, stresses former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida. In a fascinating new interview with Japanese publication AV Watch (as translated by Automaton), the talkative ex-exec explains that the company has to "changes its way of thinking".

"The game creators could clearly see that there was a lot left to be accomplished, and they had their own ideas about what they wanted from the next platform," says Yoshida, referencing earlier console generations.

He goes on to talk about the PS5's lack of load times, and how that aspect was pushed as a key selling point for the current-gen system because it was becoming much harder to tell the difference in terms of graphical enhancements.

"In the transition between the PS5 and PS5 Pro, ray tracing improved greatly, and while improving graphics quality is important, it’s hard to tell the difference," he comments.

Yoshida concludes: "It is of course, necessary to offer top of the line graphics to players who seek them. But in order to maintain popularity among a broad user base, [Sony] will have to change its way of thinking."

For what it's worth, we find ourselves agreeing with Yoshida wholeheartedly. While we do think that there are some truly gorgeous games on PS5, graphics can only take you so far, and that's where innovation has to step in and give people a good reason to invest in new hardware.

With that in mind, it'll be incredibly interesting to see what the next generation of PlayStation brings. As Yoshida says, Sony will still chase those high-end visuals — and it'll almost certainly continue to improve on exciting new tech like PSSR — but the marketing bullet points for PS6 will be telling.

What do you make of Yoshida's comments? Is he right to suggest that Sony needs to carefully consider its approach for the future, or are graphics really the most important thing to get right? Wonder how high those AAA budgets can actually go in the comments section below.

[source av.watch.impress.co.jp, via automaton-media.com]