As the current console generation is seemingly winding down, rumors and speculation are starting to ramp up concerning the next PlayStation and Xbox consoles. While virtually nothing is known about either console, one industry analyst is predicting that the PlayStation 5 will be a premium console and carry a high price tag.

Ace Research Institute Analyst Hideki Yasuda is predicting that the PlayStation 5 will launch with a $499 price tag. For reference, the PlayStation 4 launched in 2013 one hundred dollars cheaper at $399.

There's a chance, according to Yasuda, that the PS5 may even launch well below $499, possibly matching the PS4's $399 price. If that were to happen, Sony would almost surely be taking a major hit in revenue, selling the console for well under what it would cost to produce. In fact, even selling it for $499 would likely see Sony selling PS5 at a loss considering the performance jump gamers expect from a new console generation and the technology required to make that leap. But after the hugely successful PS4 and its massive install base, Sony just might do what it needs to in order to try to stay ahead in the next console generation as well.

sony-ps5

When will gamers see the PlayStation 5? While it's anyone's guess, Yasuda is predicting that the PlayStation 5 will release in 2020, which despite some early analysts last year predicting a possible 2019 launch, now most agree that a 2020 release is most likely for the console. Yasuda predicts that the PS5 will be very similar to the PS4 in terms of a premium console that can run impressive AAA games, and he's predicting that the PS5 will have a robust first-party exclusive launch lineup.

That's not too surprising considering the recent news that 1 in 5 developers are said to be working on next-gen games, and fans are starting to speculate that some of Sony's most impressive games such as The Last of Us Part II, Death Stranding, and Ghosts of Tsushima could perhaps be skipping the PS4 in order to be launch titles for PS5.

It is really all speculation at this point, and with Sony skipping the major E3 trade show this year, it's also unknown as to when an announcement about the PlayStation 5 could be coming.

Source: GamingBolt