The arrival of next-gen consoles is just around the corner. More than one will have realized that PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are already in their last years of useful life. Some analysts and experts set a range of possible dates between 2020 and 2022 for the launch of these next-gen consoles. Not for nothing, both Microsoft and Sony already have their sights set on their future desktop models and have been preparing the ground for months .
While it is true that the information has come to us in a dropper about the new from Sony and Microsoft, it is the latter who has had the least problems in speaking openly about their next Scarlett project. In fact, he already anticipated his arrival at E3 last year .
Meanwhile, Nintendo is celebrating its two years with the Switch and is in no rush to jump into the next gen race. In addition, it seems that the future looks very interesting when it comes to proposals for gaming . The top 3 representatives of this sector will have to face each other with Stadia, Google's cloud gaming platform, or Mad Box, a machine focused especially on Virtual Reality.
Without further ado, we are going to summarize in a series of points all the information that has come to light, via official message, rumors or leaks, of the new PS5 and Scarlett from Sony and Microsoft respectively.
Technical specifications
One of the big buzz about the Xbox Scarlett is that it is not a single console , but two versions that are codenamed "Anaconda" and "Lockhart." Apparently, Microsoft would be thinking of offering each one in different price ranges and targeting different users.
Thus, the most powerful version, Xbox Anaconda, would be the model for hardcore players with native 4K resolutions maintaining 60 FPS , while the less powerful, Xbox Lockhart, would have a somewhat lower power at the graphic level, which would place it as an option aimed at moving games in HD (1080p) while maintaining 60 FPS without problems.
In addition, both versions will include SSDs, which means much faster installation of games and updates and, more importantly, reduced load times.
As for PS5, the information of the first technical details must be taken with a grain of salt. The only thing that is fully confirmed is that AMD is already working on PS5 (and Xbox Scarlett). Specifically, in a NAVI architecture that powers the device, a Ryzen processor based on Zen with 8 cores and 16 threads , and a Radeon Navi GPU with a power similar to the GTX 1080-Radeon RX Vega 64. It will also include an SSD storage unit, although not yet specified. With that configuration it would be possible to play without problem in 4K resolutions and maintain 60 FPS in a stable way .
Presumably, the differences between the hardware of the two consoles will be minimal. Rather, it will be its catalog of exclusive games that will have a greater weight when determining who gets the biggest piece of the cake in this new generation of consoles.
Backward compatibility
It would seem logical to think that PS5 and Xbox Scarlett will be backwards compatible . Of course, nothing official at the moment. What is clear is that both platforms have a huge fan base who, of course, would buy the new consoles if they offered the possibility of playing all the old titles.
At least some analysts have positioned themselves in this sense, who estimate that both Xbox Scarlett and PS5 will offer backward compatibility . Otherwise, the new generation of consoles faces a fresh start with hardly any games to boost sales, at least at first.
It seems that Sony is more clear about the viability of this system. In fact, the Japanese company would have recently registered a new patent that would allow backward compatibility . It would be a system to implement in the future PS5, through which its CPU can interpret the central unit of previous versions (PS4, PS3, etc).
Other functions
Due to the rise of cloud gaming, some rumors indicate that Xbox could remove the physical disc input from one more version of its current Xbox One S. Those with the most vivid imaginations, it has given them to think that perhaps Microsoft is testing the overview to see the market reaction to a fully digital medium .
But the thing does not end there. Microsoft has already announced its own cloud service, xCloud, through which you can stream next-generation video games to any compatible device (consoles, PCs or televisions). At the moment it is only a project that will enter the beta phase in 2019 . That is, again we are facing a trial of the company, this time with the game in the cloud, in order to be able to use it in the future.
Regarding the extra services or functions of PS5, Sony would be considering the possibility of accompanying the launch of PS5 with PS Plus Premium, a revision of its well-known online subscription service that will offer several improvements . Among others, there is talk of the possibility of creating private servers, or giving access to games in beta or alpha phase. This new service would be maintained together with the PS Plus that we already know. However, we advise that there is no official confirmation yet.
Price and availability
Everything seems to indicate that Microsoft's proposal (s) will be the first to hit the market. This means that Xbox Scarlett could be officially announced in the middle of this year (possibly within the framework of E3) and debut between the end of 2019 and mid-2020 .
Prices, of course, will vary depending on the model . Xbox Scarlett Anaconda, in 4K with 60 FPS, would be around $ 600, while Xbox Scarlett Lockhart, with 1080p resolution at 60 FPS, would be available for slightly less, about $ 400.
As for PS5, there is talk of a possible launch for 2020, with a price that would be around $ 500 . We will surely have a very similar or practically exact figure in euros. Notably, Sony would be willing to take losses of up to $ 100 for each console sold, taking into account the hardware of each PS5 unit and its cost of production.