This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
On November 2, 2019, Sony made a significant announcement in the gaming world: the PlayStation 5 (PS5) is officially happening. The highly anticipated console is set to be released during the holiday season, between October and December 2020.
The PS5 will come equipped with VR capabilities, making it compatible with the current PSVR hardware. Rumors are also circulating about the potential release of PSVR 2. Additionally, the console may have a limited library of current-gen games that are suitable for the device.
According to Mark Cerny, the PS5 System Architect, backward compatibility will be a feature of the console. However, the finer details have not been hammered out just yet. In an interview, a Sony spokesperson reconfirmed the backward-compatible nature of the PS5, stating that the 'dev team is putting all power on verifying whether they can secure complete compatibility,' adding, 'Please wait for more information.'
The PS5 will also play 4K Blu-rays and bring the Ultra HD Blu-ray fight to Xbox. Microsoft and Sony recently announced that they'll be teamed up on cloud computing technologies, which will almost certainly make a huge impact on PlayStation Now.
Sony is also exploring the use of 5G technology to enhance Remote Play, allowing gamers to stream games from their consoles to other devices such as tablets, mobiles, and the handheld PS Vita. This service could be part of an all-new online platform.
Furthermore, the connectivity proposal could associate players up to a voice assistant, providing in-game help, including locations of game objects, hints, and tips. This feature could be more effective than a separate internet search.
However, it's worth noting that the PS5 is not expected to be cheap, with prices potentially reaching £400 or £500 when launched. Gamers will need to save up for this exciting new console.
