There’s ‘no real need’ for PS6 or next gen Xbox says Final Fantasy veteran

Sony and Microsoft might be gearing up to launch new consoles, but one industry veteran is not convinced we need them.

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S generation might be the most incremental upgrade we’ve ever seen over a previous console cycle, and as improvements in graphics become smaller, there’s a big question hanging over what comes next.

Sony and Microsoft have already talked about their next gen console plans, and while the hardware specifics are unclear, rumours suggest they’re both on track to launch in 2027 or 2028.

Considering we haven’t seen many games take full advantage of the current hardware, there’s a sense the next gen consoles could arrive somewhat prematurely a sentiment which has now been echoed by Final Fantasy legend Naoki Yoshida, aka Yoshi-P.

Yoshida, who is best known as the director behind Final Fantasy 14, discussed the future of consoles when asked about bringing the online role-player to next gen hardware.

‘Of course there is always the possibility of providing our game on those platforms, because my aim is to provide Final Fantasy 14 to as many players as possible,’ Yoshida told Feed4Gamers. ‘And so if there is an increase in platforms, we would work on providing the game on those platforms.

‘Specifically with regards to the recent platforms, they are quite high spec and so it’s easier for us to work with them compared to back in the days. So I don’t think any addition of hardware is a negative in that regard.’

He added: ‘But when I look at things from a gamer’s perspective, I feel that there’s no real need to make new hardware, because I think right now people are happy with the Xbox Series X, the PlayStation 5 or the Switch 2. And honestly, from a gamer’s perspective as well, hardware is just expensive to buy.’

The question of cost is one of many hurdles facing next gen hardware. Sony’s PS5 Pro, a mid-generation upgrade over the PlayStation 5, already costs £699.99, so any future console will presumably cost even more.

This comes at a time when Sony is increasing the price of the base PlayStation 5 too, so any price cuts probably won’t arrive anytime soon.

It took five years for the amount of active PlayStation 5 players to overtake PlayStation 4 users, in what’s been a slow transition between consoles. As such, if the price is too high and there’s little reason to upgrade, companies are going to have a tough time on their hands convincing anyone they need a new console anytime soon.

As for what next gen hardware from Sony and Microsoft could look like, both companies have been steering towards handhelds. Microsoft is set to launch the ROG Xbox Ally later this year, while Sony is also rumoured to be working on a new PlayStation portable.

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