Horizon PS5 Remaster Updated for Probable PS6 Handheld Support
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered on PS5 has received a patch adding support for the console's Power Saver mode, a setting that reduces visual quality to lower electricity consumption. While largely inconsequential for current PS5 owners, the addition is believed to be laying groundwork for the next PlayStation generation, with rumours pointing to a PS6 handheld device capable of running PS5 titles natively.
The Power Saver mode is thought to help scale PS5 games down for lower-powered handheld hardware ahead of the rumoured device's launch, joining other titles such as God of War Ragnarok, Demon's Souls, both Death Stranding games, and Ghost of Yotei that already support the feature. The patch is numbered 1.09, though Sony has not confirmed any direct link to future hardware, and both the PS6 and its handheld remain unannounced, with no confirmed release date or pricing.
In short
- Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered adds PS5 Power Saver mode support via patch
- Feature may help prep games for a rumoured PS6 handheld
- Other Sony titles already support Power Saver mode; PS6 unconfirmed
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Power Saver modes directly benefit current PS5 owners by reducing electricity consumption and environmental impact, addressing real household costs and sustainability concerns. Thoughtful preparation for lower-powered portable gaming represents sensible forward-looking product strategy rather than wasteful reactive development, especially as the industry increasingly values accessibility and efficiency across form factors.
The case against
Resources spent optimising for unannounced hardware represent misallocation when the current generation remains incompletely realised. Retrofitting Power Saver modes through patches suggests original releases were not fully refined, and speculative development for future platforms risks wasted effort that could have enhanced the present experience for existing customers who made their purchasing decisions based on current capabilities.
Explained simply
PlayStation is a series of gaming consoles made by Sony. The PlayStation 5 is the current generation of these consoles. A number of major PS5 games have recently begun supporting a feature called Power Saver mode, which reduces visual quality to lower electricity consumption.
Industry observers believe this pattern of Power Saver support across multiple games signals Sony's preparation for an unannounced handheld PlayStation console. Such a device would reportedly allow players to run PS5 games on the go. Power Saver mode would help the games run on less powerful portable hardware.
Sony has not officially announced any handheld device, a PlayStation 6, or confirmed any connection between Power Saver mode and future hardware. Without official confirmation from the company, these remain rumours and speculation based on patterns observers have noticed.
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