Sony's Project Q: A Solution in Search of a Problem

Imagine being in a household with a single large TV and multiple gamers. The TV is often in demand, and not everyone wants to watch someone else play games. This scenario is all too common for many gamers. The ideal solution would be to move games off the big screen and onto a handheld device, freeing up the TV for others and maintaining domestic harmony. This is essentially the concept behind Sony's newest addition to the PlayStation ecosystem, Project Q, a handheld device that lets you stream games from your PS5 over WiFi using Remote Play. While the scenario Project Q aims to address is real, the problem it's trying to solve is already being handled by existing devices and technology, such as Remote Play on smartphones and tablets, which work remarkably well with or without controller add-ons. Project Q does offer some benefits, including full support for DualSense controller functions and a more comfortable design, but it's hard to ignore the fact that similar devices, like the PlayStation Vita and Wii U, have failed in the past despite their ability to serve as remote screens for home consoles. The Vita and Wii U were not only capable of Remote Play but also offered their own games and second-screen functionality, features that Project Q lacks. The success of Project Q will largely depend on its pricing, which has not been announced. Given the expensive nature of the PS5 ecosystem, with the console itself costing $500 and accessories like the PSVR 2 and premium controllers adding to the cost, it's crucial that Project Q is priced competitively. If it's too expensive, it risks being seen as just another luxury item in an already pricey ecosystem. A budget-friendly price point, around $150, could make Project Q an attractive option for those looking for a dedicated Remote Play device. However, if it's priced too high, it may struggle to find an audience, especially when compared to other Remote Play solutions and the Nintendo Switch. The market for such a niche device is likely to be small, and its fate may be that of a novelty item rather than a game-changer.