ThePS5andXbox Series Xare more than half a year away from launching, yet Sony and Microsoft have chosen different strategies in marketing the respective consoles. Microsoft has been more active in getting the word out early for its next Xbox console, whereas Sony’s latest major update for thePS5was the console’s logo back in January. Although neither company has sounded the klaxons yet, the next generation of gaming could actually be delayed out of its fall 2020 release window for a number of reasons, with the new coronavirus outbreak acting as a catalyst.
The coronavirus outbreak is continuing to increase in severity around the world, and the gaming industry is consistently witnessing the effects of it. As more countries work to contain the outbreak, the development and production of gaming goods (such as consoles, computer parts, game accessories, and even games themselves) are being constrained so that people become less exposed to the virus. Combining this with the fact that companies (specifically Sony) are experiencing difficulties that aren’t directly related to the outbreak, thePS5 and Xbox Series X could get delayedinto 2021.
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The Coronavirus Outbreak
Just a few months old, the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) has been affecting the world economy in a number of ways and the gaming industry is just one of the victims. Before PAX East in February, Sony and Oculus decided to forgo the event, citing concerns over the outbreak. Shortly after, Sony also announced that it would be skipping GDC, the annual developer-focused convention in March for the same reason, and as the week progressed, Microsoft, Activision, EA, and other major companies all pulled out of the event in succession, ultimately leading to theGDC’s cancellation.
Sony is also skipping E3 this year but it did so last year too, and its future absence there isn’t (or wasn’t) related to the outbreak. After GDC was cancelled, all eyes moved to E3 2020, which was already experiencing its own problems before the virus. With the cancellation of major gaming events) the flourishing of game ideas will be severely limited. One of the most important aspects ofGDC is the developers’ability to discuss and learn game-making from each other in person under an organized event. Without these events, future games could actually be affected in ways invisible to the eye.
These events are incredibly important and games could suffer as a result of their cancellation. IfE3 2020 doesn’t happen, companies ready to show off future projects might go off and do its own thing, or if the companies wait, thee could be project delays just to get a better marketing cycle. The virus itself could potentially affect the PS5 and Xbox Series X in a more direct way though. If manufacturers aren’t making goods, then next-gen parts can’t be made, thus the consoles could get delayed.
Sony and Microsoft’s Positioning
As it looks right now, Microsoft isn’t reportedly having any major problems with the development of the Xbox Series X. It has been steadily revealing more information ever since the console’s surprise announcement at The Game Awards 2019, and it also already confirmed the existence of at least two major exclusives (Halo InfiniteandHellblade 2). By contrast, Sony hasn’t updated fans on the status of the PS5 in two months. The company did reveal an official website for the console in February but text found on the site gives a lot more credence to the idea that at least thePS5 will get delayed.
The website still highlights a fall 2020 release window but also states that the company is “not quite ready to fully unveil the next generation of PlayStation.” By thistime in 2013, Sonyhad already confirmed the PS4, revealed its controller and specifications, and showed off some major third-party and exclusive games alike. On a quick side note, console makers generally start mass producing the devices around spring in order to prepare for the fall. If Sony still isn’t ready to fully reveal the PS5, then it doesn’t have a lot of time to prepare. Therefore, this delay could make Sony delay the PS5, at least into spring 2021.
Sony has also had some production trouble recently, as smartphones have caused ashortage of PS5 parts. The shortage of parts (memory chips) could also affect the Xbox Series X. Although it seems that Xbox isn’t reportedly affected by these production issues or the coronavirus, what affects Sony generally affects Microsoft in a similar way. If these issues end up causing Sony to delay the PS5, unless Microsoft has a secret supplier that no one else uses then it will also have to delay the Xbox Series X.
On the other hand, t’s also possible that the console makers stick to 2020 and sell significantly fewer systems, meaning shortages, if not delays.AMD actually stated that the PS5 and Series Xwere still on track, but without either in production at full blast, an uncertain future with the coronavirus, and the complicated marketing world,only time will truly tell.
ThePS5andXbox Series Xare scheduled to launch holiday 2020.
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