A PlayStation 5 Release
Are we very far away from a PlayStation 5 release? While the current PlayStation 4 is a total success and it will remain the top console for at least one other year, we are trying to figure out when to expect its legacy, the PlayStation 5. People already know that this will come one day. When? We do not know. But we can surely look at past events and try to determine some patterns as to when we could expect the next generation console.
First, let’s look at the history of PlayStation releases. Everything started in 1994, when the first PlayStation was released. The second version was launched in 2000, approximately 6 years after the original launch. The PS 3 hit the market in 2006. Again, 6 years after the last launch and the PlayStation 4’s time came in 2013, 7 years after the last launch. From the start we can establish that the PlayStation 5 could be available for purchase in 2019-2020.
Bear in mind that there is nothing official here. We are only trying to figure out when the PlayStation 4 will have run its course and when we should start looking towards the future. And here is where a minor variable comes in: console cycles. These are practically the consoles’ lifespans and trends are already suggesting that cycles might shorten up a bit.
So we could expect 5 year cycles? That would mean that we should have a PS 5 by the end of 2018 and that would be great news for gamers who are looking to boost their experience in that particular year. The general sale trend for these consoles is quite good. Imagine that the PS 4 sold in more than 250,000 devices within the first two days prior to its launch. That’s a big deal.
Then there is the unveiling subject that some people are talking about. Unveiling is something that Microsoft has been doing with its Xbox Ones: you take the oldest device and you give it a slight upgrade with the gear that is going to be used for the following console. So we might have a boosted PS 4 that will actually show us what the future holds in store. But how early can you get an upgrade for the PS 4, supposing there is one, of course?
The truth is that a PlayStation 5 release might be closer than you think and by the end of 2016 or 2018 at max, we could be already moving towards the future of gaming. Way faster than we ever did before.
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