The PlayStation 5 is pretty big, but it can be set up in one of two orientations, which makes it easier for players to squeeze it into their living rooms. Reports recently came that setting the PlayStation 5 vertically might harm the hardware. However, it all seems to be a false alarm, and gamers can rest assured that their console is fine no matter which orientation it is in.Gamers shouldn’t get too attached to the current consoles, because there have been whispers that a new PS5 version is on the way. The disk drives will reportedly be sold separately, which may further push gamers to get comfortable with digital media. It appears that there’s an interesting future ahead for PlayStation.
PS5 Owners Get a False Scare
In early 2023, a report from wololo.net claimed that setting the PS5 vertically could damage the hardware. The article argued that the liquid metal used to cool the APU can sometimes spill and become uneven. This results in internal components breaking. When the console is placed horizontally, the liquid metal stays put and continues with its cooling function. Citing a console repairer, the article also claimed that the problem could affect PS5s that are still in the box.
The article made its rounds on the internet, causing a bit of a scare for PS5 owners, as the vertical orientation is quite popular. It managed to persist even though it goes contrary to what Sony has stated. As Yasuhiro Ootori from Sony’s design department has said, it doesn’t matter what orientation the console is in – the cooling will work as intended. The site that published the article has since issued an update stating that it had misquoted the console repairer, who had not claimed that the issue affects consoles still in the box. It seems, in the end, it is probably best for gamers to trust Sony and use whichever orientation suits them best, as there has been no conclusive evidence that the vertical or horizontal setup is harmful. This applies to both the physical and digital editions of the PS5.
PS5 Has a Bright Future Ahead
The PS5 continues to make headlines as Sony supports the hardware with plenty of new accessories. The PSVR 2 launches in February, allowing gamers to experience the next generation of virtual reality gaming on PlayStation. It starts off its lifespan with a bang, as Horizon Call of the Mountain is one of its launch titles. Gamers can also look forward to the DualSense Edge, a premium version of the DualSense controller. It is highly customizable, allowing players to fine-tune their gaming experience.
There have also been rumors that Sony has a PS5 with a removable disk drive in the works. Some rumors have come from sources such as Tom Henderson, who has proven to be reliable in the past. If this is true, it could indicate that PlayStation’s future lies with a further embrace of digital media and a move away from physical media. While digital media does have its many advantages and conveniences, it does pose problems for video game preservation. Gamers saw this happen when P.T. disappeared from all storefronts forever, and there is no reason why this can’t happen to bigger digital-only games in the future.
Sony isn’t the only one that has had its gamers fearing for their consoles. At the launch of the current-gen consoles, videos of steaming Xbox Series X/S consoles began appearing on the internet, although many turned out to be hoaxes. Many gamers have had their PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles for years, and they appear to be trucking along well if they are taken care of.