How far off is the PlayStation 6? (pic: Sony)

A reader considers the recent news about the PS6 and PS5 Pro and theorises that Sony may be changing its approach to generations.

So, this week saw the first rumour about the PlayStation 6, a little over two years since the launch of the PlayStation 5. That’s early but as has been pointed out, companies always start work on the next one as soon as possible, so it’s not mind-bogglingly weird or anything. What is interesting though is that the same rumour said that they’d heard nothing about the PS5 Pro.

Since the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X were the first example of their kind it’s been impossible to tell whether they’ll be equivalents this generation. But since they seem to be easy money for Sony and Microsoft the assumption has been that they’ll be a regular part of the console life cycle from now on.

So why is it that there aren’t already rumours of the PS5 Pro and yet everything else to do with the console has leaked out in excruciating detail, including the new disc drive-less model? The simple answer may be because it doesn’t exist and Sony isn’t planning to make one, but extend that logic a bit further and I think it could point to the PlayStation 6 being out a lot sooner than expected.

I’ve seen people estimate that the PlayStation 6 wouldn’t be out until around 2027, going by the usual five year rule plus two for the pandemic. Ordinarily, that would make sense but my prediction is that Sony is not going to leave things that long and that they’re going to try and get one over on Microsoft by releasing early.

It’s worth remembering that the mid-generation upgrade was Sony’s idea, even though they didn’t need it. It was the Xbox One that was underpowered and needed an upgrade but Sony decided to release the PS4 Pro anyway and beat Microsoft to the punch.

I imagine they were hoping the PS4 Pro would end up more powerful than the Xbox One X but while that didn’t work the machine was a success and I think they will look to follow that same logic a second time.

I know, not much to go on, but I did say this was a prediction and not insider info. We all know Sony has been acting weird the last year or so, with very little communication, but I think the explanation for this is also simple: they’re busy. They’ve got a ton of games to get ready (we see with Microsoft how often things get delayed) and the PlayStation VR2 as well as, perhaps, initial plans for the PlayStation 6.

If I’m right, we could be looking at an announcement within the next two years, something that will take Microsoft by surprise and redefine how Sony sees generations in the future. Since you would take it for granted that the PlayStation 6 would be backwards compatible and feature cross-gen games for at least the first two or three years of its life no one loses out and Sony get to claim they’re the most powerful console for a long time.

In essence it’s like having a PS5 Pro but without making it seem like an optional extra, only for super fans. The PlayStation 6 wouldn’t take full advantage of its hardware for the first few years but it would still run existing PlayStation 5 games better, just like a PS5 Pro, but that potential, and a few exclusives, would be there to tap.

So there you go, probably I’m wrong but that’s my theory. And if anyone from Sony is reading this and it turns out they haven’t thought of this already I can assure you my consultancy fees are very reasonable.

By reader Arndale

The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

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A reader considers the recent news about the PS6 and PS5 Pro and theorises that Sony may be changing its approach to generations.