The PlayStation 6 is set to launch sometime in the coming years—that much seems certain. But there’s still plenty of uncertainty about nearly everything else: How much will Sony’s next-generation console cost? What brand-new titles will be available? And, maybe most importantly: What features will it have?
Will PlayStation 6 Feature AI Technologies?
We’re starting to get at least some semi-concrete answers to that last question, because lead developer and Sony system architect Mark Cerny recently opened up about future technologies being developed in collaboration with AMD. His comments offer a glimpse into the direction the PS6 might take.
In a video on the official PlayStation channel, Cerny—Sony’s lead system architect—talks indirectly about a potential PlayStation 6. Teaming up with AMD manager Jack Huynh, he references various innovations focused mainly on graphics and the use of artificial intelligence, developed under a project called Amethyst. These technologies currently exist only as simulations, but they’re expected to be “used in a future console in a few years,” as stated directly in the video.
To be clear, neither the word PlayStation nor the number six is mentioned outright. Still, this seems like a strong hint at the next console generation, which is expected no sooner than in a few years. According to recent speculation, though, the launch of PlayStation 6 could happen earlier than expected, with 2027 fitting the established release pattern. Three key developments are highlighted in the discussion, all set to become the foundation for the hardware of the future.
You can watch the full video here:
One of these innovations is called Neural Arrays, which are designed to optimize GPU performance, especially for demanding machine learning tasks, by allowing compute units to process data collaboratively. “These efficiency gains will be a real turning point as we develop the next generation of upscaling and denoising technologies,” says Cerny. Joining them are Radiance Cores, which would elevate light and reflection calculations to a new level. They handle full ray and path tracing processing—”a faster and cleaner pipeline,” as Huynh explains, giving the GPU more room for lighting and shaders.
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Finally, there’s a focus on Universal Compression, which is meant to tackle storage bottlenecks by automatically compressing all kinds of data, not just textures. This would help reduce bandwidth demands, while increasing frame rates and detail. “We’re very excited to see how these improvements will impact future games,” Cerny adds. AI-powered upscaling technologies don’t always excite users, though—some say they’re inconsistent and, depending on the game, can lead to a drop in quality.
But for franchise fans, there’s something else causing concern: The potential price of the PlayStation 6 could skyrocket, according to recent reports, likely because of the cutting-edge hardware that’s expected to be inside.
Sources: YouTube / PlayStation
This article was originally published on futurezone.de / 4P.de and has been carefully translated.