Sony may have disappointed fans when news about the PlayStation 5 was not present at this year's E3, but fans have been clamoring for more updates about the next-generation console, hoping that it comes sooner rather than later. Unfortunately for fans, it looks like the PlayStation 5 may not be coming anytime soon this year, or the next.
While there are rumors surrounding pieces of evidence – such as recent online job listings for a senior product manager – that Sony may be gearing up for a PlayStation 5 release under the competitors' noses in 2019, there are hardly any verifiable sources that such covert actions are being undertaken by the media and tech giant. What is particularly clear is a statement released by a top Sony executive.
Sony's latest chief executive officer may have the answer for those looking forward to the PlayStation 5. In a report by The Wall Street Journal, Tsuyoshi “John” Kodera mentions looking at the next three years to prepare for Sony's next steps regarding the console.
According to Kodera, Sony will aim to redefine the console life cycle by focusing on streamlining Sony's console and network service. The service and product are usually thought of as separate components in the industry which the company hopes to be able to deliver smoothly as one package by the time the PlayStation 5 hits the market.
Kodera also mentions that Sony would like to explore more mobility options for the PlayStation 5. While Sony does not explicitly state that it will be going up against Nintendo's Switch, – a hybrid handheld-living room gaming platform – Kodera does mention that the company would prefer not to have a dedicated mobile gaming console like Sony's old PlayStation Vita.
Considering Kodera's conservative outlook for Sony in the next three years and the challenges that the executive sees in executing the plan, fans may be seeing more solid news about the PlayStation 5 later in the company's three-year plan. Hopefully, fans can enjoy the theoretical next-generation console from Sony sometime in late 2020 or early 2021, but it seems that 2019 is off the list for now.
