Breakdown
- PlayStation is planning to release a brand-new mobile platform for free-to-play mobile games
- This isn't the first time Sony's tried making mobile titles, though they might try harder this time
- Xbox has also expressed interest in the mobile space, meaning these two will compete with each other once more
PlayStation is planning to compete with Xbox on the mobile space, as they attempt to start from scratch with a new platform for free-to-play games. The publisher had previously tried making a living with mobile titles, albeit, with mixed results, so they might try harder this time.
This new job listing spotted by TweakTown (via VGC), Sony is looking for a “Mobile Platform Architect” who can design this new platform for free-to-play mobile games. The post specifically mentions free-to-play games, though it also says they need to meet “PlayStation’s quality standards” which is interesting.
“An individual in this role will spearhead the design and implementation of this platform, work in partnership with internal teams to connect mobile games to PlayStation services, and ensure that all mobile games meet PlayStation’s quality standards,” reads the job listing.
Fans who grew up in the PS Vita, and PS4 generation should be more than familiar with PlayStation’s attempts at making mobile games. Games like Invizimals: Battle of the Hunters and Run Sackboy! Run didn’t exactly woo fans, though they weren’t horribly offensive either.
Xbox has been pretty vocal about having a presence in the mobile scene, which is why this job listing comes off as surprising. Many of us had assumed that Sony would just use the mobile space for cloud gaming, but it seems that they have bigger plans than anticipated. Sony and Microsoft already compete with each other in the console space, it will be interesting to see if they do the same on mobile devices.
Neither PlayStation or Xbox have released a mobile game that set the world on fire, though that could always change in the future. With Call of Duty Mobile making a ton of money already, Sony and Microsoft could release a similar title that will pay in dividends. As it stands, we’ll have to wait and see if they can actually make quality mobile games in the next few years.