In the last few months, fans have learned a lot about the next generation of consoles coming this fall. Sony had its big blowout games and console reveal in mid-June for PS5, while Microsoft has its own separate Xbox Series X presentation planned for later on in July. Regardless of how unusual this year has been for gaming and the world at large, Sony and Microsoft are still keen on releasing its next consoles. But for all that's known about the consoles themselves, as neither has a confirmed release date just yet.
That's pretty standard procedure for both console makers, since both are usually playing chicken with one another for announcements. This is specially true for price and release date, two very important factors for consumers when they make their decisions this holiday season. Both Sony and Microsoft haven't announced when the next-gen consoles are coming out, but thanks to some clues from upcoming games, there's a very likely time period when the PS5 and Xbox Series X will launch this year.
Everything Known About PS5, Xbox Series X
Neither the PS5 or Xbox Series X have a release date or price yet, but there are quite a few details fans already know about each console. For starters, both consoles have shown off their finalized designs for each, alongside the technical specifications as well. Both have very similar performance, with the main differences being PS5's unique SSD hardware optimization and Xbox's slightly higher performance in graphics and processing. Both have also unveiled plans to allow for cross-generation upgrades for most games, with Xbox's Smart Delivery system working with third-party games like Assassin's Creed and first-party titles as well. PS5 is working on a case-by-case basis for games that will upgrade to the new console for free.
While both new consoles are pretty similar in terms of game performance, there are some key differences between one another. In particular, PS5 has showcased in detail how much faster the PS5's SSD truly is, along with a custom I/O interface that can potentially allow games to load even faster. Another main difference at the moment is that the PS5 has more exclusive titles coming to Sony's platform compared to Xbox. This may change, as this July's Xbox conference has a lineup of first-party titles to show alongside the console itself. Both have a solid amount of exclusives, but the third party games also hold a big secret now that we know when these games are releasing this fall.
Console Release Dates Narrowed Down
Considering many of these games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin's Creed Valhalla will release for both consoles, these games may be hinting at possible release windows for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Based on the information provided during Ubisoft Forward, fans know that Assassin's Creed Valhalla will be releasing for PS4 and Xbox One on November 17 this year. Cyberpunk 2077, despite seeing multiple delays, coincidentally has a similar release date at November 19 this year. Both games have confirmed versions coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X as well, likely hinting that PS5 and Xbox Series X will arrive around that same date range.
It's very possible fans will get their hands on the next generation consoles during the week of November 16-20 and/or November 23-27 this year. It could be either or both weeks because the previous generation, PS4 and Xbox One, staggered each other's launches: The PS4 launched on November 15, 2013, and Xbox One released on November 22, 2013. Previous console generations launched consoles during different years, but all seemed to come out in November. The only outlier is Nintendo, but then again Nintendo has always marched to the beat of its own drum. This means it's very likely that these release dates are set in mid-to-late November to coincide with the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
When To Expect PS5, Xbox Series X This Fall
It's very possible this staggered launch schedule could apply to PS5 and Xbox Series X as well. One week's difference wont make or break these consoles, but it's very possible Sony and Microsoft will follow the same dynamic as before. Based on the aforementioned release dates for games, likely choices for the PS5 and Xbox Series X release dates are November 20 and November 27 respectively. Xbox has typically chosen late-November for every single console generation that's launched before this one, so this will likely stay the same. PlayStation usually uses mid-November for console releases, with the only exception being PS2 releasing at the end of October instead.
One caveat worth mentioning, though, is that November 27 is Black Friday. It's unlikely anything actually release then, despite the aforementioned dates making sense, but nonetheless it serves as a good cap off point. Consoles will likely release before then, so if not November 20/27, November 13/20 still makes sense.
Many would have likely guessed these date ranges anyway for PS5 and Xbox Series X's release dates, but these games' further solidify that theory even more. It would make sense for both companies to stick with what's worked before, especially with how tenuous the world economy has been in 2020. There were initial fears of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting games and console hardware manufacturing, with lingering effects potentially affecting the production of both consoles still to this day. While Sony has had an unusual marketing strategy for PS5 this year, the actual release of the console likely won't differ that largely from Xbox Series X.
Either way, both companies have assured that Covid-19 has not yet delayed any production of the next-generation consoles for 2020. Fans will still have a new console generation to look forward to this holiday season, and now we have a better idea of when to expect the release dates for these consoles as well.
PS5 and Xbox Series X next-gen consoles are launching holiday 2020.