Sony seems to have finally hit its stride with the PlayStation 5, as the games continue to grow in quality and popularity and units are selling at a steady pace. Though rumors are circulating about the possibility of an enhanced version of the flagship system, there was a piece of hardware that was formally announced this year. The PlayStation Portal (formerly the Q-Lite) hopes to make remote play a viable method of experiencing the games on Sony's current platform.
The Portal boasts an 8-inch LCD screen and is capable of 60fps gameplay at 1080p resolution, but its biggest drawing factor is the ability to play big-budget PlayStation games in a handheld set-up. It's restricted somewhat by the need for a Wi-Fi connection, but all being well, it will be a good way to enjoy games while the television is in use. It is also a big step to normalizing remote play and streaming as the industry continues to evolve into a digital-first medium. However, though PlayStation Portal has a ring to it, the system would have had a perfect alternate name, one that fits perfectly into Sony's past innovations.
PlayStation Controllers All Have a Common Theme
Nintendo may have been the one to revolutionize the controller with the NES and then improved on it with the SNES, but it can be argued that Sony perfected the formula with the original PlayStation gamepad. It was everything the Super Nintendo's offering was but with added shoulder buttons and ergonomically designed to feel comfortable for hours of playtime. The real difference for Sony came with the DualShock, an upgraded version that had two thumbsticks allowing more freedom of movement.
With it came a fundamental philosophy that Sony has continued to this day. The format hasn't changed, rather been improved with new features and ideas. However, the PlayStation 5 didn't stick to convention and call the controller the DualShock 5; instead, it was given the name DualSense due to its haptic feedback capabilities. The 'Dual' part of the name remained, giving a sense of consistency throughout, but with the PlayStation Portal, there was an opportunity to be clever with the naming.
The Portal's Screen Gives it the Perfect Name
With the LCD featured on the new device, it would have made all the sense in the world to call the PlayStation Portal the DualScreen. Because of its remote play capabilities, acknowledging that it is essentially an extension of the PS5 instead of a native system would have been wise. Further giving it the 'Dual' prefix shows that it is a controller more than it is a dedicated console, while also being aware that its screen is additional rather than fundamental.
PlayStation Portal is also dangerously close to PlayStation Portable, and abbreviating it to PSP could make it confusing to differentiate each handheld system. The Portal will function if it is connected to the Wi-Fi and its own PS5 system, which is great for people with families who may be using the television the console is connected to, but giving it a name similar to the PlayStation Portable may imply that it has the same ability to be taken elsewhere and played on the go, which will be a disappointment to those expecting it. The PlayStation Portal is an interesting concept, but the name may introduce more issues than it resolves.
PlayStation Portal launches November 15.