In a recent survey, Sony is asking players if they would be enthusiastic about the possibility of Remote Play on the Nintendo Switch. The Remote Play function allows people to stream PS4 games from their console to other devices, including Android smartphones and tablets, PC and Mac computers, and iOS systems, including iPhones and iPads. This function requires a stable internet connection to use, but allows players much more versatility in how they experience their PS4 games.
While Sony has extended their Remote Play function to the aforementioned third-party systems, they’ve never allowed it on other gaming consoles. The idea they would even consider it is rather surprising; Nintendo and Sony have been competitors for years, especially after 1991, when Nintendo surprised Sony by breaking off a deal to manufacture a joint gaming system, the Super NES CD-ROM. This rift led to Sony creating the first PlayStation and becoming the powerhouse of the gaming industry that it is today, causing some to come to view Nintendo’s betrayal of Sony as a tremendous business mistake, even with the success of the Nintendo Switch.
Now, it seems Sony may be considering the possibility of bridging the gap. In a recent survey leaked by Reddit user YouRedditHereFirst (via Eurogamer), Sony asks Remote Play users a number of questions. One of the most notable of these questions is whether or not the player would be interested in seeing Remote Play appear on more devices. The survey lists examples such as Apple TV, Android TV, and, most notably, Nintendo Switch. The survey also hints at a number of other features, including the ability to access Remote Play without connecting to the internet and the possibility of playing PS1 and PS2 games. YouRedditHereFirst also claims that the survey asks players if they’d be interested in playing Remote Play on Xbox systems, or in using Xbox controllers with other systems. A connection between Xbox and PlayStation would also be surprising.
Survey-takers are given a five-point scale of response that ranges from “Not at all appealing” to “Extremely appealing.” According to the email sent by Sony which invites players to take the survey, it lasts about 25 minutes. YouRedditHereFirst describes the survey as lengthy, but considering the wealth of potential information contained within, the length seems more than worthwhile.
Sony has yet to make any comments about the results of the survey, and players likely shouldn’t hope for any real developments any time soon. The possibility of Remote Play on Nintendo Switch and Xbox is purely theoretical, and it may never be anything more. Still, if Sony is entertaining the possibility, even if it’s nothing more concrete than a survey question, this could mean big things for the future of video game connectivity.
Next: What Sony’s Second E3 Absence Means for the Conference
Source: YouRedditHereFirst (via EuroGamer)
