As Xbox Expands Its Reach, Former PlayStation Boss Talks About The Viability Of Consoles

Image: Pure Xbox

There has been a lot of discussion in 2024 about the future of Xbox's console business as Microsoft ramps up its mission to make its game library more accessible across multiple devices and platforms.

With this in mind, former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden was recently asked in the same Eurogamer interview if consoles can "continue to exist" in the long term and he believes questions need to be asked right now about the purpose of proprietary consoles going forward. Here's the full exchange:

Can consoles continue to exist, long-term? Xbox is already publishing to multiple platforms, and now rival consoles. Will PlayStation survive another 30 years just publishing on its own consoles and PC? Will Nintendo?

Layden: Let's put Nintendo aside for a second, because they live in their Own Private Idaho, where the laws of physics apply in different sorts of ways. But with Xbox versus PlayStation, the Ali versus Frazier fight... Frankly, we have to start interrogating what the purpose is of a proprietary console, and whether that can continue to be true.

Microsoft is already well underway with its expansion beyond consoles - with the tech giant now allowing players to enjoy Xbox titles across not only its console, but also PC, mobile, and cloud services. It has also begun promoting new ways to play with a campaign suggesting pretty much every device is now an Xbox and this year it's released multiple games on "rival" platforms.

To add to this, there's also been ongoing talk about an Xbox handheld system following the success and demand for devices like the Switch and Valve's Steam Deck. Phil Spencer confirmed these portable plans last month but noted how fans shouldn't expect one anytime soon.