Recent reports indicate that AMD has been chosen to create the chip for the upcoming PS6 console, continuing its collaboration with Sony. This follows a competitive selection process against Intel, highlighting AMD's advantage in providing crucial internal components for the next iteration of PlayStation.
According to information from Reuters, Sony has contracted AMD for the design and manufacturing of the next-generation console's chip, securing the deal as early as 2022. The competition primarily came down to these two tech giants, with AMD ultimately emerging victorious against Intel in the bidding for this essential contract.
The decision-making process likely hinged on multiple factors, with backwards compatibility potentially playing a significant role. Transitioning from AMD, which developed the chip for PlayStation 5, to Intel could have jeopardized compatibility with previous games and systems, which was an area of focus among engineers and executives from both Intel and Sony.
Ensuring that users can enjoy their already-purchased titles from older systems involves noteworthy expenses and might consume valuable engineering resources. Sony has a history of emphasizing features that allow gamers to access their existing libraries, and this is expected to continue with the new console.
Although specific information about Sony's backwards compatibility plans for PS6 remains under wraps, the company appears eager to support top titles from PS5 and possibly even PS4 and earlier models. Maintaining this compatibility would enhance the transition for gamers upgrading to the latest generation.
Aside from backwards compatibility considerations, remaining with AMD seems to be a prudent choice for Sony. The manufacturer has experience supplying chips not only for the PS5 but also for the Xbox Series consoles, positioning them as experts in console hardware and making their collaboration with Sony a firm foundation moving forward.