There is a ton of hype and anticipation for the video game industry. We knew that 2020 would see the launch of the next-generation video game console platforms. Both Sony and Microsoft had plans to bring out a new video game console into the marketplace this year. However, no one could have predicted the number of lockdowns, quarantines, and other issues to pop up thanks to the worldwide coronavirus health pandemic outbreak.
With that said, both companies are still gearing towards a successful launch for their next-generation console platforms. While Microsoft has already had theirs, Sony is preparing the PlayStation 5 launch for most markets around the world this week. However, that may still worry some PlayStation 4 owners that their support for the console is quickly coming to an end. According to Sony, the support for games will likely be around for the next few years.
In an interview with AV Watch that was translated by TweakTown, SIE VP Hideaki Nishino spoke of the transition period that Sony feels most players will need before they move on to the next-generation platform. According to Hideaki, the current assumption from Sony is about three years in which most players will start to move away from the PlayStation 4 and onto the PlayStation 5. This means, for the next three years, you should still see plenty of games release for cross-generation support.
Of course, we’re not sure just how many Sony exclusives will be cross-generational. We know that a few exclusives are coming out that will be strictly PlayStation 5 only, but there are other first-party studios such as Horzion Forbidden West that are coming out for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This could mean that there will be more emphasis on cross-gen release from third-party studios for the next couple of years.
Out of speculation, depending on how many more quarantine and lockdown issues are going around because of this coronavirus, there may be more influence on getting games out for cross-gen. There’s already a massive player base that is enjoying their Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles as is. For now, only time will tell just how much effort is put into keeping the PlayStation 4 supported with anticipated video game releases.
