After Microsoft's reveal of the Xbox Series X at The Game Awards 2019 a few days ago, PlayStation fans are looking for any sign of a potential release date for Sony's next-gen system. Unfortunately, this lead to a Japanese blog spreading false rumors not only about the PS5's release date, but that the next-gen console would have an outrageous price tag.
The Japanese blog Gamers Gate falsely claimed that the PS5 would be releasing December 4th, 2020. Even though the blog made that claim just earlier today, the rumor spread so quickly throughout the internet that Sony was forced to step forward and clear the air.
Along with the false release date, the rumor claimed that the PS5 would retail for about $600, with a Pro version of the PlayStation 5 being available for a ridiculous $1000. Seeing how far this false information was spreading, Japanese gaming news publication Famitsu decided to contact Sony themselves to set the record straight. After confirming with Sony, Famitsu published an article letting all it's readers know that the rumor about the PS5's release date and price were falsely concocted by Gamers Gate.
The Gamers Gate blog is full of similar leaks and rumors, and not just for the PS5. One of its posts claims that remakes for Pokemon Diamond and Pearl leaked on Amazon Spain back in October 2019, and even features images of the cover art as proof. However, a quick Google image search shows that these images have appeared online as far back as 2017, meaning they are obvious fakes or at least not part of anything recent. Due to how desperate some PlayStation fans are for news on the upcoming console, it's also easy to see why even a fake rumor from a suspicious source would catch like wildfire.
While PlayStation fans are definitely happy to hear that the PS5 won't cost nearly as much as the rumor claimed, this means they are once again left in the dark as to the next-gen console's exact release date. Given how quickly that false rumor spread, it's likely more fake leaks concerning the PS5 will continue to pop up until Sony makes an official announcement. Until then, fans will have to take all rumors with a grain of salt and consider the source as they wait for the day they can play Gearbox's upcoming "looter slasher" Godfall on their brand new PS5s.
The PlayStation 5 is scheduled to release during 2020's holiday season. Sony has yet to announce an exact release date.
Source: Famitsu (via dualshockers.com)