Sony has begun development of its new PlayStation console hardware, the PS6. According to Reuters, Sony has signed on with AMD to help develop the new architecture inside the PlayStation 6 after a bidding war between Intel and Broadcom.
According to the report, Sony wanted to focus on backwards compatibility with the next-gen PlayStation console and since AMD makes the PS5 and PS5 Pro chip, this was a major deciding factor for the company.
Sony had originally started planning the PS6 development in 2022 according to Reuters. Discussions began between Sony and Intel engineers at the time. However, Intel’s bid on the console was blocked when the company could not agree on how much profit it would make from each chip included in the console.
As a result of this, AMD has been signed on to develop the chip instead. Sony and AMD have likely agreed on profit sharing and worked out the technical kinks of the project. Given the PS5 and PS5 Pro’s design process, this is an easier venture for both companies.
At the moment we know virtually nothing about the PS6 apart from the console packing an AMD chip. The chip will likely be a custom-made SoC that includes both CPU and GPU cores. Sony will likely continue its liquid metal-cooled approach while also leveraging a combination of PSSR and AMD FSR.
We are still years away from the PS6 existing in the world. Previous industry analysts say the next-gen consoles will likely be announced in 2027 with a 2028 release. However, this current generation of hardware is already struggling to keep up with the technical capabilities of video game engines.
With the PS5 Pro expected to launch later this year, we are likely more than halfway through this current generation of consoles. Both Xbox and Sony are now officially working on new hardware.
As for Intel, losing out on the PS6 is another nail in the coffin for the company. The chipmaker has been struggling to stay relevant in the ever-growing tech space. Intel has been a bystander in the AI boom and its recent Raptor Lake controversy caused major hiccups for its desktop range.
The report says Intel could have made at least $30 billion in revenue from the PS6 deal. However, the company does have a plan in motion. It is currently working on new chips set to be the “most advanced AI chips ever”. The recent Lunar Lake notebook chips have also proven to be a hit with manufacturers.
Source: Reuters
