With Sony announcing some specs for their next console, and Xbox giving the release window of Holiday 2020 for Project Scarlett, it seems that the next console generation is almost upon us. The PlayStation 4 is currently about to pass 100 million consoles sold and many people it might end up as the #2 best-selling console of all-time, right behind the PlayStation 2. For the sake of clarity, we'll be referring to the next PlayStation as the PlayStation 5 despite Sony not revealing the name yet.
Let's look at 10 rumors about the PlayStation 5 that could actually be true.
10 The Reveal Event May Happen At PSX 2019
PlayStation tends to take its time when announcing plans for events. Their PlayStation Experience event, otherwise known as PSX, which happens near the very end of the year, is an event that hasn't stuck to an annual cadence. The year it does occur, PlayStation doesn't announce ticket, date, or venue info until around September of that given year.
If PSX returns in 2019 fans and analysts alike are anticipating the reveal of the PlayStation 5. Don't be surprised however if PSX is all about games and the console isn't revealed until Spring 2020.
9 There Won't Be A PSVR 2
PlayStation has already confirmed that the current PlayStation VR headset will be compatible with their next-generation console. This is great news for people who invested in the headset in hopes of experiencing amazing virtual reality experiences.
The issue is that if the PlayStation 5 is a monumental power leap, it would make sense to release a more powerful and capable VR headset to take advantage of the new possibilities. If rumors are to be believed than PlayStation is content with the first PSVR headset being brought into the next-generation.
8 Sequels To PS4 Favorites Are In Development
These are mostly rumors based on common sense and surface-level analysis, but sequels to some of the best exclusives released on the PlayStation 4 are currently in development for the PlayStation 5. Sony Santa Monica is likely in the early stages of development on God of War 2, while Insomniac is swinging away at Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
The tough called is Guerrilla Games who are likely working on a sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, but are they also set up to release another Killzone to coincide with the launch of a new PlayStation console?
7 Ghosts Of Tsushima Will Be A Cross-Gen Launch Title
With the recent announcement that Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding would be arriving in 2019, fans are curious about the release dates for The Last of Us Part II and Ghosts of Tsushima. Rumors have quickly swirled that The Last of Us Part II is almost assuredly releasing in February of 2020, but where does that leave Sucker Punch's game?
Well, if the PlayStation 5 releases in late 2020 that lives little time for Ghosts of Tsushima to release in an effective manner. Now rumors are suggesting that it may release as a cross-generation exclusive for owners of the PS4 and/or PS5.
6 DualShock 5 Won't See Major Changes
As PlayStation fans are treated to the next generation of their preferred console they also often see changes to the DualShock controller that they've become so accustomed to. As the PlayStation 5 approaches, it's hard to envision any additions to the controller as drastic as the lightbar was.
Some rumors speculate if the controller could have a built-in screen, but the reality of how much that'd drive up console bundle prices as well as standalone packaging makes it a terrible business decision. The biggest glaring weakness for the DS4 controller seems to be the d-pad.
5 It Won't Be Backwards Compatible With PS1/PS2
When Sony explained some of the specs for their next-generation console while displaying the massive improvement in load times via Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man game, their interview shed some light on backward compatibility. It seems that they're working on letting users play their owned games from previous console generations, well at least the PlayStation 3 and 4.
The ability to play PlayStation 1 and 2 games seem like it may be relegated to ports if rumors are to be believed. If they do work some magic and make it so, the value of the PlayStation 5 will be enormous.
4 It Will Cost No More Than $500
Everyone remembers the fiasco that was the PlayStation 3's launch price. Despite it being more powerful than the Xbox 360, the fact that it launched at $600 quickly ruled it out of the purchasing plans for many families around the world.
Considering that the PlayStation 4 was cheaper than the Xbox One at launch, it's safe to say Sony likely won't pull a stunt like that again. In the current age of gaming, it would be hard to see a console release for more than $500. Rumors have swirled for Sony with some saying it will come in at $400, where others are saying the push for power lands at a $500 launch price.
3 The PlayStation 5 May Fully Support Cross-Play
As this console generation is winding down and nearing a close Sony and PlayStation have seemed like the stubborn child unwilling to mingle with the other kids. Despite enabling cross-play on Fortnite, Dauntless, and Rocket League, PlayStation has still managed to represent themselves as a walled garden.
As Nintendo and Microsoft continually grow, their partnership it would be smart for Sony to at least appear friendly. Rumors are suggesting one of the bullet points at the PlayStation 5 reveal event will be a new openness to cross-play on Sony's end.
2 It Will Release In Fall 2020
At E3 2019 Head of Xbox Phil Spencer planted the flag that Project Scarlett would be released in Holiday 2020. Not only that, he confirmed that Halo: Infinite, the newest entry in their flagship franchise, would release alongside the next-generation console.
Though some dreamers feel there's a chance the PlayStation 5 releases in the Spring of 2020, it's more likely that they'll also be releasing during the 2020 holiday season. The real question is if the reveal event for the console happens in late 2019 at a PSX-type event, or if they do it in the early parts of 2020.
1 It's More Powerful Than Project Scarlett
The rumor that the PlayStation 5 is more powerful than Xbox's Project Scarlett starting popping up in the middle of E3 2019, seemingly out of nowhere. It directly contradicts earlier rumors that Xbox's next-gen console would undoubtedly be the most powerful of the bunch, as Xbox doesn't want to relinquish the title of "Most Powerful Console" after the release of the Xbox One X.
Without having the full picture of each console, it's hard to speculate, but considering the fact that Sony tends to have the more powerful console, even if by a little, every console launch it's a safe place to bet on it.