It’s official! The next-generation PlayStation console is called the PS5 (PlayStation 5) and it’s landing at the end of 2020. In recent months, Sony has been drip-feeding us juicy titbits such as an official PS5 release window, name and a few details about features.
Sony made the tactical decision to skip out on E3 2019 this year, with no big announcements at Gamescom 2019 later in the year either. Microsoft has been keener to show off its Xbox Project Scarlett console – which we know is also landing at the end of 2020 – but these early days make the inevitable PS5 vs Xbox Project Scarlett battle still a hazy question to consider.
But with 2020 creeping closer, Sony can only keep the finer details of the next-generation PlayStation so secret – and between the rumored specs, likely next-gen titles, and official features we are aware of, there’s plenty to keep us busy for now.
Here’s everything we know about the PS5 so far, and what we hope will be revealed the closer we get to launch.
- What is it? The Sony PS5 will be the next-gen PlayStation console, replacing the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro.
- When will it release? “Holiday 2020” so between October and December 2020.
- What can I play on it? Nothing’s confirmed yet, but expect all of Sony’s big franchises – as well as in-development exclusives like Death Stranding and Ghosts of Tsushima.
- Will PS5 have VR? Oh yes. The next-gen console will be compatible with current PSVR hardware and there are rumors of PSVR 2.
- What will the PS5 cost? The PS4 and PS4 Pro were both $399 / £349 at launch, but we expect the PS5 will cost somewhat more.
PS5 confirmed specs: things we know for sure
A 8-core AMD chipset based on third generation Ryzen architecture, with a GPU taking the best bits of the Radeon Navi GPU family; a built-for-purpose SSD storage system; 3D audio; backwards compatibility with PS4 games and PSVR hardware; 8K TV support. It’s all been revealed by PlayStation top-dog Mark Cerny, the man behind the construction of the PS4, and now in charge of the next-gen console’s development.
Ray tracing is done by GPU hardware rather than software level, Mark Cerny told Wired. “There is ray-tracing acceleration in the GPU hardware,” Cerny explained. “Which I believe is the statement that people were looking for.”
Sony’s PS5 next-generation console will also offer improved cloud gaming performance and “dramatically improved graphics rendering” power. Sony said the “two keywords for the future direction of PlayStation are ‘immersive’ and ‘seamless'”, with the ‘immersive’ experience “created by dramatically increased graphics rendering speeds, achieved through the employment of further improved computational power and a customized ultra-fast, broadband SSD”.
Release Date
Sony has officially confirmed the PS5 will release “Holiday 2020”, aka between October and December 2020. This will put the PlayStation 5 in direct competition with Xbox Project Scarlett, which is releasing during the same period.
Find out more at TechRadar here
https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/ps5-release-date-news-and-features-1213409