PlayStation 5 Release Date, Latest News, Update: Features Speculated to be Included in Next-Gen Console

As Sony remains quiet about the development progress of the PlayStation 5, the rumor mill is hard at work predicting what’s in store for the next-generation console. And so far, two features have emerged.

First, the PlayStation 5 is supposedly going to be backward compatible, meaning it can run titles designed to be played for its respective predecessors. While Sony has yet to confirm this information, the patent filing of the company is heavily suggesting that this is indeed the case, Gear Nuke reported.

Second, the PlayStation 5 will apparently be supporting virtual reality. The information came from SemiAccurate, a publication that has a reputation of correctly predicting features of several consoles. The problem is that the article is locked behind a paid subscription and those curious about it are asked to pay $1,000 to read what’s inside.

Fortunately, someone over at Resetera forum summarized the piece and one notable information from it is the inclusion of VR in the PlayStation 5. As for the release date, analysts have come forward to offer their own predictions when the next-generation console will hit the shelves.

According to Yasuo Imanaka of Rakuten Securities Economic Research Institute, the PlayStation 5 could be available for purchase sometime between April 2020 and March 2021. However, Imanaka believes that an April 2021 and March 2022 release date is a higher possibility as Sony may be looking to polish the device further, Daily Star reported.

This is especially true since the PlayStation 5 is touted to be outfitted with powerful hardware and groundbreaking tech for the console genre. It’s also in line with the analysis report that was recently released. To put briefly, the reason why Sony might want the console come out in 2021 or 2022 is that it wants the PlayStation 4 to push for one final run before finally relinquishing the mantle to its successor.

With “The Last of Us Part 2” and “Ghost of Tsushima” expected to come out next year, those who don’t have a PlayStation 4 might be enticed to buy the console for them to experience both games. As such, it would make sense for Sony to push the game a couple of years more for them to squeeze the last drop that PlayStation 4 might provide.