While E3 may be fading away, summer game announcements are still going strong. During Sony's PlayStation Showcase livestream, the company confirmed the rumors of working on a new handheld device. However, instead of being a successor to the PlayStation Vita, the device will focus on game streaming, following in the footsteps of Logitech G Cloud and Razer Edge.
Jim Ryan, CEO and President of Sony Interactive Entertainment, provided the first glimpse of the device, internally known as Project Q. Although the handheld doesn't have an official name yet, it boasts a massive eight-inch HD screen positioned between a bifurcated PlayStation 5 controller. Notably, it will retain all the buttons and features of the Dual Sense wireless controller.
Project Q is not intended to be a next-generation PS Vita or a standalone portable console competing with the likes of the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. Instead, it is exclusively designed for PS Remote Play over a Wi-Fi connection, requiring game installations on the PS5, with the exception of VR titles.
Sony did not disclose the pricing details for Project Q, but since it is an accessory for the $400+ PS5, it is expected to be more affordable than other game streaming handhelds. While competing devices have struggled to sway consumers away from Valve's Steam Deck, which also supports PS Remote Play via a third-party client, Sony plans to release more information about Project Q in the near future. The availability of the device is expected later this year.