FYI, this is a Shift Up property/IP; SIE are just the publisher
I'm saying that, because inevitably (and I'm sure it's already been happening ITT), people will use this as rationale to argue SIE should do Day 1 Steam releases for non-GAAS AAA titles. And, yet again, I'm gonna shut those takes down by saying it'd be potentially catastrophic for a segment of their hardcore/high enthusiasts console base at a crucial junction of a generational transfer.
If it (likely) inevitably causes a dampening with that segment, it could have (gradually decreasing) knock-on effects to other, lower ARPU segments of their customer base. Especially now in a reality where Nintendo looks set to dominate Japan even more than they did with Switch 1, the PC handheld market continuously growing YOY thanks to pushes from Valve, and Microsoft now jumping in with Windows-powered Xbox devices that can play all SIE PlayStation ports (yes those Xboxes might "just be PCs" at a functional level, but optics-wise vast public majority will still think of an Xbox
console now getting PlayStation games Day 1; that's how the Xbox brand name is still perceived by the mainstream).
In light of all that, I don't think a PS handheld that might not even feature native play of PS6 games, does enough to retain a critical segment of early adopters for a console generation where SIE also ports all their big hits to Windows & Steam, not to mention licensing out legacy IP to 3P to publish on traditional Xbox consoles (Series S & X are still technically available for sale) and Nintendo Switch/Switch 2. There will be a contraction at that point; question is how severe in the microcosm of hardcore early adopters, and how strongly does the domino effect cast to other customer segments.
Of course, all that could be avoided by...simply not enabling Day 1 ports of non-GAAS titles (and preferably, increasing the time frame between ports or simply not doing ports at all unless it's to a PS PC launcher in the future).
But more on-topic tho....big congrats to Stellar Blade with a strong debut. I know Shift Up's gotta be quite giddy right now, and I look forward to them & SIE's collaboration on the inevitable sequel (probably for PS6 gen).
This forums obsession to look up reactions on resetera about some stupid culture war thing will never not be pathetic.
It's because it's funny seeing the hypocrisy in their paper-thin "progressive" values on display.
This isn't even the best example of that, either.