There a lot of rumors flying around about the possible release of the next Playstation console.
We are not talking about an upgraded Playstations 4 model (like the Playstation Pro). No, this is supposed to be a next-gen console. The console will most likely be called the Playstation 5.
Unlike Microsoft and Nintendo Sony doesn’t like to mess around with the names of their console but rather keep it simple. Which is good for them because at least you can avoid such disasters (as far as branding goes) like the WII U (is it a WII or not?), Xbox one (so it isn’t the first Xbox?) and my personal favorite: The Xbox one X (seriously?).
All we have to go on are rumors, the only thing we know for sure is that Sony has confirmed that a Playstation 5 will be released. Now that is not much of a revelation if you look at the success of the PS4 and PS4 PRO. What is surprising however is that the rumors say that the console will be released in 2018, much sooner than expected.
The Playstation 4 was “just” released in 2013 and the Playstation 4 Pro in 2016 so it feels like Sony’s console hasn’t been on the market for that long.
However there are some things that might explain a late 2018/early 2019 release
4K TV’s
Yes, that’s right that ol’ thing called tech is developing fast and it is hard to keep up. 4K tech has become more affordable and mainstream but the current generation of consoles are having problems with producing detailed 4K images at 60fps. Even the PS4 pro as powerful as it is seems to be struggling with “real” 4K gaming.
Don’t be fooled by marketing propaganda, a lot of 4K games on the current generation of consoles are actually upscaled from lower resolutions, when I talk about 4K games I am talking about games with a native 4K resolution @60 fps.
With 4K TV’s becoming mainstream the shortcomings of the Playstation 4 when it comes to 4K gaming will become very apparent.
PC master race friends like to tease me about “4K” gaming on a console, pointing out the tricks that game developers use so that the marketing department can justify the 4K label.
The Playstation 4 Pro
This upgraded version of the Playstation was an effort by Sony to meet the power hungry demands of the gaming audience. However in reality it made things more complex for Sony.
Let’s be clear, I love my Playstation 4 Pro but does it provide me with real 4K gaming? No. Is it the fastest, most powerful console on the market? No. Does it add to the Virtual Reality experience? No.
The Playstation 4 Pro is a beefed up version of the Playstation 4 but doesn’t really offer any improvements over the original and on the other side of things the improved hardware cannot be fully utilized. Well, technically it could but Sony does not want any PS 4 Pro only games because this would not sit well with Playstation 4 owners. It also puts game developers on the spot, for instance let’s look at online shooters, it would be an unfair advantage if a Playstation 4 Pro owner can play at 60 fps online while a Playstation 4 owner who has the same game can not squeeze more than 30 fps out of his system. This is why the game developers have capped certain online shooters at 30 fps to level the playing field.
The Playstation 4
I know being underwhelmed when the specs of the PS4 were announced. Certainly this wasn’t something that said “next-gen” console. Time has caught up with the ol’ PS4 and it is time for an upgrade.
Virtual Reality
Although VR still has a lot to prove in gaming there is no denying that VR sells units and any respectable gaming company is making sure that they have some VR related product in their arsenal. To have a good VR experience you will need some good ol’ horsepower and that is something that both the PS4 and PS4 Pro are lacking. Sony needs to up their game if they want to be prepared for future developments in regards to VR. Sony has a good VR system but it is child’s play compared to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
The Competition
Actually there is only one competitor and they released a worthy successor to their current gen console. There is no denying that the Xbox one X (besides the ridiculous name) is a beast as far as consoles go. It is the most powerful console available at the moment.
It is very likely that Sony realized that size does matter and that Microsoft’s next console might turn out to be another power house.
Microsoft has lost the battle for this generation of gaming consoles that much is sure but they are down and not out. There is no telling which aces they might have up their sleeves.
First come first serve
It may sound strange but gaming history has proven that those who are first to release their console are more likely to win the console war. Sony was late to the party with their PS3 and Microsoft took the advantage with their early Xbox 360 release. The recipe is simple, be the first to release your console, wow the gamers with your hardware and upcoming games and draw them away from the competition. Most households will only purchase one console and that one better be yours.
Digital content
Buying digital games was something that was not that popular among console gamers when the PS4 and Xbox one were released (and that’s putting it mildly). But things have changed and consoles need to go with the times. My prediction is that the PS5 will have more disc space for digital games than its predecessors. Knowing Sony they will not pull the optical drive completely (yet) but expect more digital game features and services.
Nobody knows what console is going to look like but you can find some nice concept art online- click the image for the source
Sony’s flagship gaming console is in dire need of a hardware upgrade and beefed up versions just ain’t cutting it. 4K and VR are important developments in gaming and require beefy hardware. Also there is no telling what and when Microsoft might spring a surprise. Sony has to be prepared and the only thing they can do to prevent this is to be quick with the release of their next console. Sony has the upper hand and they need to follow through or else… who knows what might happen.
Taking all the factors into account, it might not be a bad idea for Sony to release their console this early in the game (pun intended).