PlayStation 5 could be released by the end of this YEAR, expert predicts

Sony could launch its PlayStation 5 console as early as this year, an expert has predicted.

Rob Lloyd, CFO at GameStop , claims that both Sony and Microsoft could announce or release new consoles this year, in response to slowing sales.

He said: “With respect to new hardware, as we get closer to the end of the current console cycle for Xbox and PlayStation, we expect demand to decline as some customers choose to wait on the sidelines in anticipation of acquiring the next generation of innovative consoles.”

Mr Lloyd made the comment when talking to analysts, to ‘help provide context’ for 2019.

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While specific launch dates for the PlayStation 5 remain unclear, rumours suggest that Microsoft could announce at least one new console at the E3 conference in June.

In particular, rumours suggest that Microsoft could reveal an cheaper Xbox One console with no disc-drive.

As well as Microsoft, Nintendo is also rumoured to be preparing to launch a new gaming console at E3.

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The Wall Street Journal report cites people ‘familiar with the matter’, and claims that Nintendo could launch a cheaper version of the Switch as well as a more powerful model.

The more enhanced model is rumoured to have ‘enhanced features targeted at avid videogamers’, although it’s unlikely to be powerful enough to compete with either the Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro.

Meanwhile, Nintendo is expected to ditch the vibration functionality in the cheaper version to cut costs.