Apr 22nd, 2020, 09:44 PM
We all know this year is supposed to be the launch of the PS5 and the Xbox Series X, but with Covid-19 bringing a lot of things to a halt, including game releases and game production, do you think those systems are still going to release this year in any capacity? A recent rumour has been circulating that Sony will still launch the PS5 this year, but with a reduced number of units compared to the launch of the PS4.
I don't expect both systems to launch this year properly, if at all. Even if production of the systems was somehow done, the next problem is producing the games. Final Fantasy VII Remake and Resident Evil 3 Remake both managed to squeeze out the door before Covid-19 managed to be taken seriously enough to disrupt production entirely (although distribution was still affected to an extent), as has been the case with The Last of Us Part II. Later releases like Ghost of Tsushima are still on track, but that may be because their releases are far away enough that the publishers are waiting to see how things play out; it would be bad to state a delay only for production to get back on track in 2 or 3 months from now wherever it takes place. If those games are also delayed though because the virus is still disrupting production facilities or developers, then the large amount of games that will be produced for a console launch doesn't look feasible. Sure, there's digital, but that relies on the developers actually being able to work on their games properly and have them finished in time, which seems like a hard target to reach. Death Stranding for PC had to be delayed for that exact reason, and that's just a port. A game that's in actual production as a fresh project would probably see a bigger delay because there's significantly more work involved compared to a port.
If I had to pick, I'd rather have the systems launch properly even if it means delaying them to 2021. Excluding the most hardcore buyers, if there isn't enough incentive to buy a PS5 or an Xbox Series X at launch or near it then people will just wait for more games and/or a price drop. Considering how many people are out of work and probably needing to dip into their savings to get by (especially in the US with that absolutely abysmal $1200 stimulus package) it's not even like the holiday season would be a good reason to get them out this year. The last thing people who have taken a hit to their savings and seen the economy dive are going to look for is a $500+ games console for their kids or even themselves if they need that cash for bills and other necessary spending.
What do you guys think?
I don't expect both systems to launch this year properly, if at all. Even if production of the systems was somehow done, the next problem is producing the games. Final Fantasy VII Remake and Resident Evil 3 Remake both managed to squeeze out the door before Covid-19 managed to be taken seriously enough to disrupt production entirely (although distribution was still affected to an extent), as has been the case with The Last of Us Part II. Later releases like Ghost of Tsushima are still on track, but that may be because their releases are far away enough that the publishers are waiting to see how things play out; it would be bad to state a delay only for production to get back on track in 2 or 3 months from now wherever it takes place. If those games are also delayed though because the virus is still disrupting production facilities or developers, then the large amount of games that will be produced for a console launch doesn't look feasible. Sure, there's digital, but that relies on the developers actually being able to work on their games properly and have them finished in time, which seems like a hard target to reach. Death Stranding for PC had to be delayed for that exact reason, and that's just a port. A game that's in actual production as a fresh project would probably see a bigger delay because there's significantly more work involved compared to a port.
If I had to pick, I'd rather have the systems launch properly even if it means delaying them to 2021. Excluding the most hardcore buyers, if there isn't enough incentive to buy a PS5 or an Xbox Series X at launch or near it then people will just wait for more games and/or a price drop. Considering how many people are out of work and probably needing to dip into their savings to get by (especially in the US with that absolutely abysmal $1200 stimulus package) it's not even like the holiday season would be a good reason to get them out this year. The last thing people who have taken a hit to their savings and seen the economy dive are going to look for is a $500+ games console for their kids or even themselves if they need that cash for bills and other necessary spending.
What do you guys think?