PS5 Release Date: Dev Kit Rumor Supports 2019 Launch
According to a recent rumor, the PlayStation 5 may already be in the hands of developers. If this is true, that means we may be seeing the PS5 in the hands of gamers as early as next year and possibly a tease at this year’s E3 in June.
The rumor comes from industry insider Marcus Sellars. Unlike many internet leakers, Sellars has a pretty solid track record. He has accurately predicted Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, the date of the next Nintendo Direct, and the Diablo III Switch port. According to Sellars, PS5 dev kits may already be in the hands of third-party developers.
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A dev kit, or development kit, is a working prototype of a new console. The dev kit is typically a PC modded to run similarly to how the new console is expected to run, and can sometimes resemble what the final product will actually look like. It’s interesting to note Sellars specifically calls out third-party developers, because Sony would probably send dev kits to outside studios after Sony-owned companies already had the opportunity to work with the hardware.
A 2019 release for the PS5 does line up with previous rumors, even if it doesn’t line up with past Sony releases. Japanese outlet PC Watch had predicted a late 2019 or early 2020 release date for the PS5 last year. This prediction was based on processor chip availability. Looking at history, the PS4 was released seven years after the PS3. Assuming the same time frame, the PS5 would be slated for a 2021 release.
Things are different from the PS3 to PS4 launch thanks to the PS4 Pro. This middle step of a console could either speed up the release of a new console or slow one down. Fans that own a PS4 might not be interested in the modest upgrades the PS4 Pro offers, which would lead to a faster development of a beefier console. However, Sony could ride the PS4 Pro out for another year or two, leading to a longer console lifecycle.
The one thing we know for sure is that the PS5 is in development at Sony. In an interview with German outlet golem.de at last year’s E3, Sony confirmed the next console wouldn’t be another PS4 iteration.
So what do you think? Are you interested in seeing what a PS5 could look like? Do you think it’s too soon for a new console or the right time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.