Shrinking the gap for non-GaaS titles to PC is just as bad if not worst than bringing their non-GaaS titles to Xbox and Nintendo platforms. So while the clarification rules out one narrative, there's still the other elephant in the room that might just end up being worst in the long-term.
Again, I don't think Day 1 PC for most of the GaaS is a bad idea; it makes sense. Day 1 for those on mobile where possible would also make sense. If Sony ever get back to internal 1P AA development, some of those Day 1 on mobile would make sense and a smaller selection that are Day 1 on both mobile and PC would make sense, plus some that are offshoot specifically for the mobile market like what Nintendo did with Pokemon GO!.
But it's the tentpole 1P AAA titles that need to be there for the console first, and exclusively for the console as long as possible. The gap should be 4-6 years, not 1-2 or 2-3. And any port that goes to PC should mean a new similar exclusive is coming for the console within 1-2 years. Always close the loop and bring things back to the console when it's said and done, SHOW that the console is the core of the ecosystem and don't just be empty words like Phil Spencer has been.
Remasters I don't see a problem being Day 1 on multiple platforms, just make sure console owners who bought the original versions can upgrade to the remaster for either free or a cheap price, reward them for their loyalty. Remakes can somewhat be the same, but only for those of games already a gen old or much older. Even then, some of them you'll want to keep exclusive to the console and nowhere else for at least a couple of years before porting them to PC and/or mobile.
As for costs, maybe the next PlayStation doesn't need to pursue more power just for the sake of more power. Maybe the power crown isn't worth chasing anymore, we're already getting to a point where visuals are pretty much "good enough". PS6 should focus on technologies that make programming and game development faster and cheaper in the long run. RT GI AI-enhanced tech, auto LOD/mesh/texture scaling tech, even better decompression tech for various data types, stuff for meta-data, frame generation etc. Al of that type of stuff in a system with even the same base TF/pixel fillrate/texture fillrate/RAM bandwidth of the PS5 would create night-and-day differences in visual and performance jumps and devs wouldn't need to increase budgets so much to produce better-looking and better-running games. In fact they would very likely be able to cut down the budgets a ton.
This is literally giving them the optimal template for a multi-platform strategy that doesn't devalue the console like crazy. Let's see if they take that approach.
www.engadget.com
