There has been a lot of talk about 2024 on the future of the Xbox console sector as Microsoft steps up its mission to make its games library more accessible across multiple devices and platforms.

With this in mind, former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden was recently interviewed as part of the same Eurogamer interview whether consoles can “continue to exist” in the long term and he thinks questions need to be asked now about the purpose of first-party consoles in the future. Here is the full exchange:

Can consoles continue to exist in the long term? Xbox already publishes on multiple platforms and now competes with consoles. Will PlayStation survive another 30 years by simply publishing on its own consoles and PC? Is Nintendo?

Layden: Let’s leave Nintendo aside for a second, because they live in their own private Idaho, where the laws of physics apply in different ways. But with Xbox versus PlayStation, the Ali versus Frazier fight… Frankly, we have to start asking ourselves what the point of a first-party console is, and if that can continue to be true.

Microsoft is already well underway in its expansion beyond consoles – with the tech giant now allowing gamers to enjoy Xbox titles not only on its console, but also on PC, mobile and cloud services. It also began promoting new ways to play with a campaign suggesting almost all devices are now Xbox and this year it came out several games on “rival” platforms.

To add to this, there is also talk of an Xbox portable system following the success and demand of devices like the Switch and Valve’s Steam Deck. Phil Spencer confirmed these portable plans last month but noted that fans shouldn’t expect it any time soon.