Less than nine months remain before thePlayStation 5and theXbox Series Xare expected to be out, but even so, there’s a lot that’s still unknown. Microsoft’s been a bit more forthcoming in teasing some of theXbox Series X’s features, and barely a week goes by without new alleged PS5 details being leaked, yet officially the two next-gen consoles largely remain a mystery for the time being. So in the meantime, industry analysts are offering up their best educated guesses as to what the two will have to offer.
One such analyst is Piers Harding-Rolls, Head of Games Research at IHS Markit, and recently he shared his prediction for what the next generation will place a greater focus on over the current one. He claimed the PS5 and XSX will likely both see their subscription-based services, likePlayStation Nowand Xbox Game Pass, become a much more important part of Sony and Microsoft’s platforms.
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“Next-gen, I expect a stronger focus on services to differentiate console offerings,” said Harding-Rolls told MCVUK. “It’s clear that Microsoft will be focused onXbox Game Pass, but only as part of a collection of ways to access content using different distribution and monetisation models. I do not expect a wholesale transition to subscription services. I also expect Sony to continue evolving PlayStation Now. How the platform holders blend their services together and how they are integrated as product offerings will play an important role in engaging consumers.”
While next-gen improvements will indeed be key in enticing consumers to next-gen hardware, Harding-Rolls believes that the PS5 and XSX will also have to successfully manage two factors to outsell their predecessors at launch: supply and pricing. The question of supply has grown steadily more prominent over increasing concerns that the spread of coronavirus and its proximity to key manufacturing hubscould lead to next-gen delays and shortages, so it’s impossible at this time to see how readily available the technology Sony and Microsoft need will be.
As for price, that too will largely be dependent on various factors including supply availability, but Harding-Rolls stressed that if the two consoles are to have the best possible launch, they must cost no more than $499. Many have speculated over the cost of the consoles before, and most agree that this isabout as high as the PS5 and XSX’s prices can getbefore consumers are turned off.
That’s something they would be wise to avoid, especially with this generation, because, as Harding-Rolls pointed out, the PS4 currently has a “bigger active userbase” at this point in its lifespan than the PS3 did back in 2013, meaning more PlayStation owners are potentially ready to migrate to the PS5. He also expects Microsoft will stand to have a much better launch with the XSX than with the Xbox One, reflecting the common belief that theXbox Series X is off to a better start than the Xbox One, marketing-wise.
ThePlayStation 5andXbox Series Xare slated to launch this holiday season.
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