While there are still loads of people that can’t buy a PS5, Xbox Series X or a Nintendo Switch, the time where we won’t even need a dedicated gaming console might be coming sooner than some people think — at least according to Final Fantasy Director Naoki Yoshida.
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Speaking to the Financial Times (subscription required), Yoshida commented on how 5G will usher in the demise of consoles.
Once 5G becomes the global standard, there will definitely come a time when we can transfer images to any device.
Players can enjoy a high-quality gaming experience on any device by not being tied to a gaming hardware or TV monitor. We’re definitely heading in that direction, and I don’t think coronavirus will slow this shift.
Yoshida also muses that with home consoles, people need to sit in front of a TV, turn the power on, and wait for the hardware to start, which is a time-consuming affair.
My take? Even if we do get 5G, unless mobile games can feature controls that feel as natural as physical controllers, there will always be people who prefer consoles. That, and of course, just having a device dedicated to games means that the hardware can and will be maximized just for that, which in turn equates to better gaming experiences.
Do you agree with Yoshida’s take? Will we see console decline once 5G becomes the standard across the world?
Streaming will never be standard for gaming.
Exactly. It’s an amazing additional feature, but to have it as the only option would be ridiculous.
I think he also means playing online. Being tied to a console because your digital or hard copy game relies on high speed internet will no longer be a thing. 5G will eventually replace traditional IPs. Computers like the new Macs with their proprietary silicon chip will help make that future a reality which will make consoles obsolete. Essentially consoles are like old phones that rely on land lines and 5G will make mobile gaming the norm the same way cell phones are now the norm. Today we use cell phones on the go or at home. Not does t matter. 5G will dominate internet usage and it’s unlikely console makers will opt for that.. However, you will see the growth of gaming on mobile phones and laptops.