Sony's Project Q Raises More Questions Than Answers

In many households, there's a common dilemma: only one big TV in the living room, and multiple gamers vying for screen time. This is the problem Sony's Project Q aims to solve, with a handheld device that streams PS5 games over WiFi using Remote Play. The concept is straightforward: allow gamers to play their PS5 games on a portable device, freeing up the TV for others to use. This scenario is all too familiar for many gamers, and it's valid to consider solutions to this problem. Project Q seems to address this issue, but the question remains: is it necessary? Remote Play already exists and works well on smartphones and iPads with controller add-ons. What Project Q offers is already available on devices that consumers already own. The device does have some advantages, such as fully supporting DualSense controller functions and being more comfortable to use than a controller grip for smartphones. However, it's hard to ignore the fact that similar devices, like the PlayStation Vita and Wii U, have failed in the past. These devices didn't fail because they were bad at remote play; in fact, they excelled at it. But they offered more than just remote play, with the Vita having its own games and the Wii U implementing second-screen functionality. Project Q, on the other hand, will only stream PS5 games and won't play its own games or work outside the home. This makes it a tough sell, especially considering the PS5 ecosystem is already expensive. The console itself is $500, and accessories like the PSVR 2 and Pulse3D headset add to the cost. If Project Q is priced too high, it will be dead in the water. However, if Sony aims for a competitive price point, around $150, there could be a niche audience for this device. The success of Project Q depends on its pricing and whether it can offer a unique experience that sets it apart from existing remote play solutions. As it stands, Project Q seems like a solution to a problem that already has existing solutions, and its market is unlikely to be large.