SONY
A new console generational shift is set to occur, with many looking to the PS5 release date as a gauge.
That Sony PlayStation has been the leading hardware maker for the past few years makes their next move a big indicator for things to come.
A recent report suggested that rival consoles like the Xbox One X and Nintendo Switch could see a new PS4 replacement arrive as early as 2019.
This would be huge news, and may mean that both Microsoft and Nintendo would have to change their plans swiftly.
However, since this shock report, another has emerged that provides a picture more in line with what analysts believe will happen.
According to Kotaku, the PS5 release date is more likely to arrive in 2020.
This is based on dialogue with a range of people connected to the gaming industry, who have provided a clearer picture.
The report indicates that it’s very unlikely will see anything arrive in 2018, with those in the industry not expecting a PS5 launch in 2019 either.
However, Kotaku also note that the people they talked to provided these predictions with a disclaimer - things can change quickly.
One person told Kotaku: “At some point, Sony’s probably looked at every possible date. It’s all about what they think is the best sweet spot in terms of hardware.”
This would include someone like Microsoft deciding to move early on a new console, which would then mean Sony having to change their plans.
“Most of the developers I spoke to, via phone and email and text, said they had not heard anything about plans for a new PlayStation," Kotaku's Jason Schreier adds.“Even employees at Sony’s first-party studios said they have not yet been briefed on the existence of a PlayStation 5. People across all the disciplines (design, art, engineering, etc.) at major studios working on games scheduled for 2019 and beyond have told me that if there is information about the PS5 at their companies, they haven’t heard about it. (Those people said they haven’t heard about a new Xbox, either.)”So while there is information around regarding what Sony plan to do next, there probably isn’t enough concrete facts to suggest something is about to be announced.
A report on SemiAccurate suggested that PlayStation 5 dev kits are already in the hands of developers.
In terms of specs, the PS4 successor is said to use AMD's custom Zen processor, as well as AMD's next-generation Navi GPU.
Even more surprising is that according to the leak, the PS5 could have a 2018 release date.
Other rumours suggested it will feature improved virtual reality technology that will be built in to the console itself.
And while there are now two reports offering different outcomes, there are a few things to consider.
The same source predicting an early PS5 release date successfully predicted the Nintendo and NVIDIA partnership for the Switch.
Likewise, the source also had the inside scoop on the PlayStation 4 specs.
So it’s fair to say the next 12 months could be very interesting for PS5 gamers, as well as those on Xbox One X and Nintendo Switch.
Even if we don’t see a surprise announcement made about the PS5 in 2018, there’s the chance that something could be revealed in mid-to-late 2019 instead.
Most console launches require a good many months of build up before the final product is released, so an announcement in late 2019 could be followed by release in early 2020.
And it’s fair to say that consoles don’t always need to be released at traditional times around the holiday period.
The Nintendo Switch arrived in March 2017, and managed to rack up some great sales numbers.