Games Inbox: What year will PS6 be released?

The Monday letters page has concerns about how Nintendo has handled the Switch 2 so far, as one reader thinks GTA 6 will be in the firing line from more than just politicians.

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Time flies
Now that we’re starting to get leaked specs for the PlayStation 6, and there’s a lot more talk about a portable version, the idea that it’s going to be released in 2027 or 2028 seems more and more likely. The next gen Xbox is rumoured for 2027 so I’m sure Sony won’t want to be a year behind, because they’ll remember what happened to the PlayStation 3 when they did that.

So that means some kind of official annoucement next year or maybe even at the end of the year (maybe at The Game Awards?). Crazy isn’t it? That we could be getting ready to ditch the PlayStation 5, which I know from my friends many people haven’t even got around to buying yet, because they don’t think it has enough good games.

I know Sony and Microsoft want to convince themselves that exclusives don’t matter but I’ve never spoken to anyone that didn’t think it was the number one reason to buy a console, even if there are other factors as well.

The best guess at the moment for the PS6 release date is 2027 and not only am I not ready for it but I don’t think the rest of the games industry is either. I doubt that will stop Sony though.
Focus

No comparison
I agreed a lot with what the Reader’s Feature said about Nintendo at the weekend. I don’t know if I’d call it arrogance, but they certainly seem to be making a lot of assumptions that their Switch 1 audience is going to be onboard, no matter what they do. The Switch 2 is selling well at the moment but there’s not much else this whole year to distract anyone. When GTA 6 and the PlayStation 6 come along that’s going to be different.

Also, I don’t think there’s any question that the launch line-up isn’t as good as the first Switch. Not so much because of Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza but what’s coming up next, which is… a big bag of nothing.

I know Zelda: Breath Of The Wild was a special case but that wasn’t all they had that year. They also had Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, ARMS, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, Super Mario Odyssey, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. That is a hell of a line-up, and I really don’t think Metroid Prime 4 and a handful of lame spin-offs are going to match up.

As the feature said, Nintendo had forever to get ready for this and it feels like they were caught napping.
Taylor Moon

Easy target
To be honest, I’d be surprised if GTA 6 didn’t have age verification of some sort, even if this stupid new UK law ends. Considering the age and attitude of the average GTA Online player I would imagine Rockstar’s biggest concern with the new game is not getting caught up in headlines about corrupting the youth and encouraging sex and violence.

That sort of thing used to be free publicity for video games but even as long ago as the black coffee incident, it’s not been a joke for Rockster. It’s been a potential threat to their games being taken off sale. Especially as they also got in trouble for Bully and Manhunt.

Considering how things are nowadays it’s not just politicians that would jump at the chance for a new scapegoat and GTA 6 is going to be so high profile it’s going to become a target to a lot of people.
Wotan

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Big secrets
I think it would’ve been better for Nintendo if their sales figures weren’t so good because now they’re going to feel undefeatable, as if this is confirmation that all the choices they’ve made so far are right.

I wouldn’t be quite as negative about the situation as the Reader’s Feature at the weekend, but I think it’s definitely true that something isn’t right. I bought the console at launch, but I’m still not quite tempted to get Donkey Kong Bananza. And the only game I am looking forward to this year is Metroid Prime 4, which is really just a Switch 1 game.

They’re keeping things too close to their chest and a lot of people, like at the weekend, are beginning to think that’s because they’ve nothing planned, rather than they’ve got big secrets they’re hiding. Which is true I don’t know, but it feels like Nintendo are beginning to wear out their trust already.
Limpton

Happy anniversary
It’s officially my 28th birthday and wouldn’t you know it? I’ve been surprised in the best way possible. I wasn’t originally getting this, due to the fact that I’ll be holidaying in Tenerife in a few days. But you know what they say, Nintendo always finds a way.

Nah I’m joking. But still a truly lovely way to make my birthday and I’m happily grateful for it.
Shahzaib Sadiq

Change of plans
I’m actually kind of worried about Monster Hunter Wilds starting to tank and what it means for Capcom or any company in a similar position. One minute they’re living their best life and hinting at bringing back tons of retro franchises, the next their share price is plummeting and they’re looking like a one hit wonder.

There’s so many reasons to hate live service games and their unpredictability is right up there. I don’t know what Capcom did wrong or why it only took till now for people to get upset about it (I’ve never liked the games) but now their priority is going to be fixing Wilds and getting Resident Evil Requiem out as quickly as possible, in order to get some good headline and please investors.

So instead of taking their time with Requiem, and making sure it’s perfect, they’re going to be under pressure to get it out the door as soon as possible. Same thing with a Monster Hunter sequel, which was probably not planned but now may be the only way to change people’s opinion on the franchise.

I don’t work at Capcom, obviously, but these are just basic, standard responses to a problem from any company. So anyone out there hoping for a new Mega Man or a Dino Crisis remake, I think we’re going to have to wait for Capcom’s next winning streak.

At least Onimusha fans got in before things turned sour though, so kudos to them.
Benjy Dog

No change
A really can’t take serious gamers when they start talking about boycotts and suddenly jumping ship from a franchise they’ve been playing non-stop for years. It’s never going to happen.

All this complaining about Call Of Duty skins, but did they buy Black Ops 6 and are they going to buy Black Ops 7? In 99% of cases the answer’s going to be ‘Yes’ (followed by an excuse). I also don’t believe the stat about 80% of them shifting over to Battlefield 6. If there’s one lesson from this era of gaming, it’s that nobody wants to change their usual routine.
Lumpy

Sell up
Just a quick one to say that the Reader’s Feature this week stunk of self-entitlement.

The Switch 2 was dead on arrival to you? Maybe don’t buy it then?

Donkey Kong Bananza’s camera was a sign of a lack of care when in the real world a little jankiness of the camera is probably just part and parcel of what was attempted, with the sheer level of destruction at speed. But no, they clearly didn’t care. A game, eight years in the making. Behave yourself, have a sit down for god’s sake.

Not one of your points hold any weight. You don’t like the games released. That’s fine. Don’t take that as you being any sort of authority when clearly the media and the general public don’t agree with you.

I don’t write in to online magazines when my exacting and ultimately niche wants aren’t adhered to. Maybe take a step back, take a deep breath and realise that your individual wants are just part of the tapestry that mainstream providers of entertainment have to measure and land.

The console launched with two high quality games within a month. Just stop being sensationalist. I’m tired of it. Sell your Switch 2.
Adam

GC: The feature said it’s the opposite of dead on arrival.

Inbox also-rans
If they have remade Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag why are they so bothered about people knowing about it? Also if it has been remade why haven’t they announced it yet? Sometimes game developers really do make me laugh at things they do.
David

GC: It probably wasn’t what he said but the mere fact that he broke his NDA. Who knows what other information he might be party to.

I don’t know much about Battlefield – never played any of them – but the graphics on the new one are certainly turning my head. Very impressive.
Boomo

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The small print
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