SONY:
[PS5]
-PS5 reaches 125 million units sold globally by early 2028
-PS5 Slim will have been available since Late 2023, a wireless module option for PSVR2 since Late 2024/Early 2025
-PS Storefront/Launcher for PC available since 2026 (having both ad-based and subscription-based models, acts
as a "virtualized" PlayStation console in a sense)
-With advent of PS Storefront/Launcher on PC, some Day 1 non live-service/GaaS games start to launch between
PS5 and PC via the PS Storefront exclusively
-Studio acquisitions/strategic partnerships/investments during PS5 gen likely involve Ember Lab, Shift Up, Pearl Abyss, Sloclap,
Arc System Works, Deviation Games, Asobo, Striking Distance Studios, Square-Enix Creative Business Unit 3, From Software,
DICE, etc.
-Publisher acquisitions/strategic partnerships/investments during PS5 gen likely involve Capcom, Kadokawa, Square-Enix (
Capcom & Square-Enix more likely, Kadokawa less likely in terms of actual acquisitions), Koei-Tecmo, Konami, Cygames,
Tencent, Ubisoft etc.
-Some type of new PlayStation portable initiative is launched in 2024/2025 providing at least PS4-level performance in
a portable unit to entice more Japanese dev support and restore more brand presence in Japan & other markets that
might favor portable & mobile options. Two SKUs: "traditional" model with just the needed processing & features
for gaming, and a "smartphone" model with hardware needed for a high-performance smartphone that can dual-boot
into PS OS and Android
-New per-game subscription model introduced maybe around 2025/2026. Annual contracts ranging from $3/MO to $8/MO
depending on game & package perks, allowing people to play new games Day 1 with only a small monthly payment.
-No PS5 Pro this generation
[PS6]
-PS6 launched Fall 2028
-PS6 introduces 3 tiers of VR/AR headsets. An Entry model (bundled with every PS6) as the cheapest option (~ $130 - $150
MSRP standalone), an Enhanced model for more performant VR/AR (~ $400), and an Enthusiast model offering the most
feature-rich VR/AR PS6 experience (~ $600 - $700). Enhanced & Enthusiast models not needed, but are good options.
-Will support multiple (upwards 4) VR/AR users locally in shared gaming experiences, but per-headset bandwidth is more limited
as a tradeoff
-Can support a mix of wired & wireless VR/AR headset users to one system
-New PSVR3 headsets cross-compatible on PS6 & PC via the PS Storefront/Launcher
-PSVR3 may or may not be usable on PS5, but should be BC with PSVR2 software & peripherals
-PSVR3 natively supports either wired or wireless options (optional wireless module required if wanting wireless VR/AR and
wifi internet simultaneously)
-Single SKU, $599 MSRP (for PS6 & PSVR3 Entry headset)
-No native disc drive; PS6 will be a digital console but provide disc support through optional fit-to-form disc drive. Will
also be BC with PS5's modular/detachable disc drive
-Will support microSD with secure load of game file transfer, expediated through interfacing with system's decompression I/O
-OS enhanced with many new features & QOL that can seamlessly transition & adapt between traditional & VR/AR space,
even provide a mix of both (i.e a user with the headset can see some options enhanced/private while a person viewing on
the TV can see other options of the same content; or shifting content from TV to VR/AR space seamlessly)
-To have an option against Nintendo (MOTL), will launch a new PS portable model with PS5-level performance to replace
the older model at the high end, and simultaneously launch a new SKU for the older PS portable with PSVR3 Entry VR/AR
headset bundled
-Will probably have a new Astrobot game to showcase features & benefits of VR/AR integration into OS and system
experience for gaming capabilities
-PS6 specs will include use of HBM3-PIM (Processing In Memory) with distributed customized CPU core logic alongside
scalable GPU logic, coupled with a base block with more traditional CPU cores, full integrated Northbridge/Southbridge
I/O subsystems (with PNM (Processing Near Memory) logic & buffers), and GPU frontend logic. GPU frontend, shader,
& backend logic can have separate clocks for best balance. Based off potential future AMD GPU architecture targeting
fully embedded platforms, with co-development from Sony and Microsoft.
-Think of this hardware setup as a full realization of what Cell aimed for back in 2006, only better fleshed out,
better scalability, easier dev use (compatibility with all the popular APIs and frameworks) and wider market support.
-Regardless, Sony will have some customizations to their implementation for PlayStation 6.
MICROSOFT:
[SERIES S/X/etc]
-Series cloud streaming console not dead; launches either Late 2023 or Mid 2024 for $130 - $150 in two SKUs: one with
a remote that can be used as a gamepad ($130 SKU option) ala Wiimote (but with Xbox-style buttons and thumbpads
to replicate thumbsticks), and one with the remote & a regular Xbox Series controller ($150 SKU)
-Most GamePass loopholes have been closed by 2025, or things like MS Rewards points have their redeem values heavily
reduced. All to encourage higher ARPU from the service
-Studio acquisitions/strategic partnerships/investments during S/X gen likely involve Certain Affinity, Avalanche, Platinum Games,
Asobo, Game Science etc.
-Publisher acquisitions/strategic partnerships/investments during S/X gen likely involve Ubisoft and Sega
-Series S & X "upgrades" release in 2023/2024. For Series S, a new model with increased internal storage to 1 TB and
a slight GPU clock increase to 1.7 GHz and GDDR6 chip speed increase to 16 Gbps (system bandwidth increase to 320 GB/s).
For Series X, same 1 TB storage kept but now added support for standard internal m.2 SSDs (CF Express slot potentially
removed for cost reasons), GPU clock increase to 2 GHz (128 Gpixels/sec, 416 Gtexels/sec, 13.56 TF). New Series S
model phases out previous model, same with new Series X model
-New Series S MSRP $349, New Series X MSRP $549
-MS will whitelist Series S/X compatibility with a 3P VR headset (possibly provide HTC Reverb & Vive VR headset support to consoles)
either late 2023 or sometime in 2024 to have some kind of VR answer on Xbox
-Certain Xbox-exclusive games like Grounded, Pentiment, RedFall, Starfield etc. will get Nintendo Switch 2 & PS5 ports by or starting
in 2025
-Microsoft introduces a limited form of Windows upgrade license to Xbox owners in 2025. Offers access to all usual non-gaming
Windows productivity software, files and peripherals one can have on a Windows PC by installing a dual-boot feature and booting
Xbox Series S or X into Windows mode. Game software storefront access still limited to Xbox storefront, Windows Store & Game Pass.
However some early efforts of licensing partnerships with Valve & GOG may start forming around this time. Upgrade license cost
is $99
-First efforts of some standardized curated GamePass app for iOS & Android devices (accessed natively instead of through a web page)
emerge starting around 2025. Some progress made with Nintendo & Sony for possible future curated GamePass on their consoles
may start around this time as well.
-Between 2025 and 2028, MS's 3P support of Day 1 releases on Sony & Nintendo platforms increases gradually and noticeably. Alongside
that, Day 1 1P releases in GamePass for Xbox & PC platforms becomes more staggered between tiers, with lower tiers not getting the
games until 6-12 months later (or longer in very specific cases), to help incentivize more direct game sales among Xbox, PC, Nintendo
& Sony platforms
-Also between 2025 and 2028, specific Xbox 1P games start getting native ports to iOS and Android devices. Mainly lower technical scale
games like Pentiment, Grounded etc. and more of these become Day 1 native releases on iOS & Android devices as well
-Xbox storefront ported to PC with integration into Windows store, to basically relaunch that service, sometime between 2025
and 2028
[NEXT XBOX]
-Launches in Fall 2028
-Two models: one as a SFF mini-tower style system, the other as a (very) slim profile slate that can be modularly configured into a Surface-style laptop
-SFF mini-tower style system is the more powerful one, performance roughly equivalent to a PS6. Allows for 3P AMD/Nvidia GPU upgrade
expansion via a fit-to-form eGPU expansion module (3P eGPU modules can also be used via Thunderbolt 5/6). Uses socketed, upgradable CPU.
"iGPU" via some custom mini-GPU card (think something like Series X's I/O card) with high-bandwidth interconnect forcing cache coherency through
SAM/BAR or something like that. Upgradable CPU DDR6 RAM (up to 64 GB); internal GPU uses either GDDR8 or some form of HBM.
-Upgradable CPU has to be supported by the OS and motherboard, as well as the BIOS. Upgradable GPU support will be determined by the
limitations of installed CPU. System has a "dummy-proof" secure boot system that ensures any upgraded part which could cause system performance
problems (drawing too much power beyond PSU limits for example) locks the full system from booting, providing use message (some microcontroller
with Flash ROM or something would have to initialize/check state of system at boot and access video display to provide message from Flash ROM if
an issue with installed parts is detected)
-Slim profile model has performance profile of at least Series X, possibly more. CAMM-style DRAM module for CPU, non-upgradable iGPU with dedicated
HBM memory. Very rectangular in surface area, very thin in Z-depth height. Optional fit-to-form screen (touch-enabled, at least 120 Hz refresh, screen
haptics etc.) and keyboard covers can be purchased and added to make it like a laptop
-Support for 3P eGPUs
-Both new Next Xbox systems default to including Windows out of the box, instead of as a purchasable license. As well, both allow for access to
3P storefronts (Steam, GOG, EGS etc.)
-Xbox OS still supported for BC purposes; however priority of 1P development will shift to Windows platforms now
-Outside of timed PC exclusives (like Flight Sim etc. which incidentally would be playable on Next Xbox since it runs Windows), 1P content will be
multiplat with native builds for PC/Next Xbox, PS5/PS6, Switch 2, and iOS/Android devices, with select games depending on scope
(i.e Pentiment 2 a Day 1 on all platforms mentioned, but a Forza Motorsport 10 Day 1 on PC/Next Xbox & PS6 only, etc.)
-Next Xbox SFF system MSRP $999. Next Xbox Slim System: $499 (base), $99 (Xbox Keyboard cover), $199 (Xbox Display Panel) ($799 total)
NINTENDO:
[SWITCH/SWITCH 2]
-Switch 2 releasing Late 2023, maybe Early 2024 for remaining global markets. Fully BC with Switch 1 games, user accounts, etc.
-Switch 2 will probably aim for somewhere between an Xbox One and Steam Deck in terms of spec performance, will not use CAMM-style
memory (unless Dell & Nvidia work something out), will go with LPDDR5 at a sufficient clock
-Studio partnerships/investment will likely include Platinum Games (for Bayonetta, and possibly W101/Pikmin), Atlus (SMT, possibly some smaller games, or
getting Persona/SMT characters in Smash Bros.), Sonic Team, and M2 (emulator stuff, maybe some smaller new indies with Nintendo IP), Teams Bravely, Asano
& Acquire
-No publisher acquisitions, but can see big investments into both Sega and Capcom, Square-Enix and Ubisoft
-No real big gimmick for Switch 2, but they may bring Amiibos back in a big way alongside it
-More iOS/Android specific games based on existing Nintendo IP (including possibly Mario Party & Animal Crossing)
[SWITCH 3]
-Probably won't release until post-2028 honestly
-If so, will have to contend with Sony's portable systems (the "console"-oriented older system released years prior, the higher-end (PS5-level spec) one
releasing 2028), including the new SKU for the older model packing PSVR 3 Entry headset in it for a reasonable bundle price ($299 - $349 MSRP)
-Switch 3 (or whatever it's called by then) will probably be an integrated VR/AR headset with localized processing built into it, similar to the Meta
Quest line of devices.
-Spec-wise Switch 3 probably comes more along Series S & PS4 Pro level of performance, with modern features support
-Switch 3 MSRP of $399, probably includes a pre-installed 1P game to show off system features
-Amiibos (or equivalent items) will offer expanded VR/AR functions for Switch 3
-Possible Switch 3 release date of 2030