PC vs. Console: The Cost and Performance Showdown

Hideaki Nishino, Vice President of Sony Interactive Entertainment, noted that while PC gaming is increasingly popular, playing games on the PlayStation 5 offers more convenience and better value for money compared to a PC.

In a recent interview with Nikkei Asia, the executive addressed the industry’s shift towards PC and mobile platforms. Nishino pointed out that if PC gamers wish to experience the same visual quality as on the PlayStation 5, they would need to invest considerable time and money in assembling their PCs. In contrast, the PlayStation 5 offers a ready-to-play experience right out of the box, eliminating much hassle. On the other hand, he acknowledged that gaming on a PC has become significantly more expensive, especially with the rising costs of GPUs (graphics processing units) in recent years. However, he conceded that the gaming experience on a high-end PC is unparalleled, as game consoles must compromise on certain graphical features to ensure performance. For instance, advanced ray tracing effects seen in games like “Cyberpunk 2077” and “Hitman 2” are achievable on high-end PCs but are nearly impossible on current consoles.

During the interview, Nishino also shared his insights on the release of the new PlayStation 5 model and PlayStation Portal. He mentioned that these devices are being launched in the mid-cycle of the PlayStation 5’s lifespan, aiming to boost sales during the year-end holiday season. The release of the first batch of games that fully utilize the PlayStation 5’s capabilities, such as “Spider-Man 2,” is expected to further increase the console’s sales.