"The processing power of PlayStation 5 is incredible": Yakuza creator praises next-gen console's artificial intelligence

A report from Gematsu (translated from an item on Games Talk) has described how the man behind the Yakuza games feels about the PlayStation 5. It’s clear Toshihiro Nagoshi believes the console is going to meet general expectations, as his comments about the PS5 have been enthusiastic. The Japanese video game producer also touched on the next-generation console’s artificial intelligence capability:

The processing power of PlayStation 5 is incredible, so when we try to think of new gameplay that will utilize its full potential, I’m not really sure which aspects of existing mechanics we should translate.

First there was a time when graphics improved, then there was network features, and now I guess you can say it’s a return to the ‘programmable’ era? I think artificial intelligence and machine learning will continue to evolve.

The Yakuza producer doesn’t just stop there with his fondness for the PS5, though. He continues to opine about what the console can bring to video game developers, and how it fares against unnamed potential competitors:

If you would pour its power into graphics it’ll be the best that we’ve yet to see, and I think everyone is thinking about in what way we should use that power. I as well. [sic] There’s artificial intelligence and many other things I want to think about.

Interestingly enough, regardless of his positive words about the PS5, Nagoshi feels that the arrival of Sony’s next console does not necessarily mean the death knell for its immensely popular predecessor:

Even after PlayStation 5 is released, I think PlayStation 4 is going to be the main focus for a while longer.

This will be good news for the millions of PS4 owners out there who may be concerned about the future of their console of choice. Sony is apparently exploring the option of cross-gen play between the two devices, which would be permitted thanks to the PS5’s backward compatibility.