PlayStation 4 was released almost five years ago, and since then it has moved ahead of its rivals. However, now that almost five years has passed, users are wondering whether Sony is planning to introduce a completely new console or just an upgraded version of the already existing PS4 similar to the PlayStation 4 Pro that came out in 2016 and featured upgraded hardware and systems. So what’s new for next PlayStation 5 and when can we expect the PlayStation 5 release date?
As translated by The Wall Street Journal, PlayStation boss John Kodera told Japanese investors that the PS4 is about to start “entering the end of its lifecycle” at the most recent Sony Corporate Strategy Meeting. However, WSJ’s Takashi Mochizuki reports that Sony’s statement means that there are at least three more years left for Sony to focus on PS4, before the company moves to the next PlayStation.
“We will use the next three years to prepare the next step, to crouch down so that we can jump higher in the future,” Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Tsuyoshi Kodera told the WSJ.
Instead, before the console completely comes to the end of its life, the company is going to launch a number or exclusives that will be available on the console. It was the company’s way to explain that a decrease in sales are expected to come in the future, as well as hinting at an upcoming and next PlayStation 5 in the future.
On the other hand, a report from Kotaku indicates that the next PlayStation won’t come until 2020 at least. However, that’s not surprising given how successful Sony has been lately. The PS4 and PS4 Pro are by far more advanced compared to the rivaling consoles which means that the company is probably not in a hurry to create next PlayStation 5.
In the report it says that many developers associated with Sony were questioned as well as other developers and many say that they “have not yet been briefed on the existence of a PlayStation 5.”
Kotaku writes: “In summary: There is information about the PlayStation 5 floating around at both first- and third-party companies, but it’s far more limited than it would be if the console’s release was imminent.”
After successful games such as God Of War that came for PS4 and PS4 Pro, both consoles continue to sell extremely well and the company is looking forward to extending its exclusive library with upcoming titles in 2019 such as The Last of Us 2 and Death Stranding.
Furthermore, Sony hasn’t yet made any announcements regarding the next PlayStation 5 release date. PlayStation 4 continues to be the best-selling console at the moment, so it would be slightly unexpected if the company announced a new console yet.
When it comes to the hardware, Microsoft released its Xbox One X which is ahead of PS4 when it comes to the specifications. Sony’s main console is no longer the most dominant machine on the market. That being said, Sony would need to respond, likely with a new console.
Another report from SemiAccurate (via ResetEra) suggests that Sony is working on specifications for its next console. The report also claims that the dev kits are already with developers. There are rumors that PlayStation 5 will be equipped with AMD’s Navi as its base architecture, as well as Zen CPU AMDs.
According to the article, PlayStation 5 will use AMD’s Navi as its base architecture while it will utilize a Zen CPU from the same company. The report also suggests that it will be equipped with VR features.
Nevertheless, given the previous reports, the next PlayStation 5 release date as well as its specifications should be taken with a pinch of salt, since the PS4 is still considered the best-selling console on the market, even though Microsoft tries to hard to set Xbox One S and One X on the top. Even though there is a possibility of Sony designing the new console, it is highly unlikely that the dev kits are in the hands of developers.
When the PS4 Pro launched in 2016, system architect Mark Cerny said that the console doesn’t mean the start of a new console generation.
“I believe in generations. Generations are a good thing. So, philosophically, we believe in them. We believe they continue and this is a mid-generation release,” Cerny was quoted by Gamasutra.
So, truthfully, a 2021 release for a next PlayStation is behind the regular release schedule of six to seven years which is the practice Sony previously followed. However, Sony must be thinking that there is no reason for rush when it comes to the console that is outselling all its predecessors, even at this point in their lifecycles. That being said, the PlayStation 5 release date won’t be anytime soon.
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