While Sony has not yet confirmed the development of the PlayStation 4 (PS4) successor, the rumors are rife that a next-generation console is already in the works. However, gamers should not expect a PlayStation 5 to be around anytime soon, given that Sony only launched the PS4 Pro in 2016. As of now, the consensus among tech analysts suggests that the PS5 could be ready by 2020, discounting the possibility of a surprise earlier release with reports of a development kit already in the hands of third-party developers.
The latest scoop about the Sony PlayStation 5 came from The NPD Group analyst Mat Piscatella, who also does not believe that the next-gen console will be released soon. In an interview with Gaming Bolt, Piscatella predicted that the PlayStation 5 is more likely to be released in 2020, as there is just no data at this point that supports a 2018 or 2019 launch.
Still, Piscatella did not completely discount the possibility of Sony unveiling the PlayStation 5 at an earlier date, stating that he has "been surprised before." Just like Piscatella, many others are interested in Sony's future plans for the PlayStation console, with the competition among gaming consoles tightening up. Microsoft showcased the Xbox One X, which boasts an immersive 4K gaming experience, while Nintendo put itself back on the map with the hybrid Switch console.
It has been reported that Sony is experiencing internal issues following the resignation of Sony President Kazuo Hirai. However, the company's plans will not be stopped for this reason, and it is possible that its upcoming projects, including the PlayStation 5, will be announced at the end of the fiscal year 2017 timeframe. The public could get a teaser at the very least but is enough to confirm that Sony eyes a PlayStation 5 launch in the near future.
Further supporting the claim of an impending PlayStation 5 release is the report that a dev kit is already being tested by Sony's third-party developers. A dev kit is a prototype model of an upcoming console, which could be a PC that is modified to work in the same way that the prospect console is expected to run. This report is supplied by a known tech and gaming tipster, Marcus Sellars, the person who correctly predicted "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4" and the next Nintendo Direct release date.
Sooner than later, Sony is expected to mention something about the PlayStation 5, if there is actually a plan to release the console. The official confirmation could be made as early as next year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
