Everything
You Need to Know About the Next Generation of Consoles
Everything
You Need to Know About the Next Generation of Consoles
- 13th January 2020
By
Ben Roberts
The
next-generation of consoles, which promise to define
a new era in gaming, are coming. With new teasers
and leaks continually emerging, License Global examines
the licensing impact of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series
X.
Entertainment
made up 44 percent of licensed retail sales in 2018,
which totaled $280.3 billion globally across all categories,
according to Licensing International. With more than
2.5 billion gamers across the world spending a combined
$152.1 billion on games in 2019, today, gaming is
at the heart of modern entertainment.
The
9.6 percent year-on-year increase in gaming (Newzoo),
mobile gaming, desktop and consoles are growing, the
latter of which boasts a fiercely dedicated gaming
fan base. The console gaming tribes include PS4 (which
claims 36 percent of global gamers), Xbox One (25
percent) and the rising popularity of Nintendo Switch
(25 percent), among others such as PS3, Wii and more
thanks to the rise of nostalgia gaming and mini boxes.
As
the console cycle comes to an end, leading tech brands
are readying their next move to master the entire
home entertainment system, capture all content streams,
keep globally adored gaming franchises moving and
bring new stories to the frontline of gaming.
The
PlayStation 5
The
world was introduced to the PS5 logo at CES 2020,
shortly after Sony confirmed that the PlayStation
5 would hit the market during the 2020 holidays. The
PS4 itself dominated sales at retail in 2019, closing
the year with 106 million units sold.
So,
how will the next generation of PlayStation continue
its win over Microsoft and fend off mobile platforms
in 2020?
Streaming
and games-as-a-service models are the most preferred
form of video game purchase for 64 percent of gamers
(Limelight Network), a method that is estimated to
bolster revenue streams and generate a total of $43.9
billion in 2020, according to Newzoo.
Sony
is still investing in retail by including a 4/8K Blu-Ray
disc player (as seen in the latest console leaks)
while emphasizing the immediate nature of streaming
with faster cloud gaming, boot speeds and rendering
power. Even Sony’s Jim Ryan openly claimed that
the PS5 gaming experience would be “seamless”
and “immersive” (TechRadar). "Our promise
to the 100 million-strong PlayStation community is
to offer the biggest and best in content, and to deliver
unique experiences to gamers with unprecedented speed,”
said Jim Ryan, president, chief operating officer,
Sony Interactive Entertainment at CES 2020.
This
dedication to immersive content and unique experiences
means power, and early images of the PS5 reportedly
feature large vents and a new v-shaped design. The
bulky design, while most likely an early development
model, means that the 8K gaming capability (complemented
by Sony’s upcoming 8K TV) is promising gamers
a more robust experience, more immersive stories and
better graphics than ever before.
With
great power comes great graphics, which means increased
engagement and more fans. This opportunity for game
studios to bring new characters to life, explore new
complex game styles and add new chapters to world-famous
franchises will define the PS5 brand, as well as the
entire next-gen console cycle.
While
the PS5 is being kept under wraps, we do know that
games slated for launch include “Godfall”
– the highly anticipated new property and launch
title of the PS5 – as well as “Ghosts of
Tsushima,” “Last Of Us 2,” “Watch
Dogs: Legion,” “Rainbow Six: Quarantine,”
“Gods and Monsters,” and “Battlefield
6.” Also heavily rumored for launch is a new
“God of War” title, a sequel to the hugely
popular “Horizon Zero Dawn” and, of course,
“Grand Theft Auto VI.”
Adding
to the power of the gaming experience is the confirmed
launch of PSVR2, a new and enhanced virtual reality
system for new titles, as well as the inclusion of
backward capability. This backward capability will
keep PS4 games alive and franchises running. What’s
more, the backwards capability goes all the way back
through PS3 and PS2 to the ‘90s original, PlayStation
One, meaning nostalgia could have a big play in terms
of titles available for download.
Xbox
Series X
Titled
Project Scarlet initially, Microsoft’s Xbox Series
X has the only official marketing video showcasing
a final design. Not only that, but a hint at the games
to launch with the console. While the video introduces
the “Forza” and “FIFA” style gaming
experiences that are on the rise in the esports market,
the one apparent reveal is the return of Master Chief.
Reportedly set to launch with no exclusives, “Halo
Infinite” is confirmed, along with a sequel to
Ninja Theory’s “Hellblade: Senua’s
Sacrifice” with “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade
II,” which is the title Xbox’s Phil Spencer
promises to showcase the true capabilities of Series
X.
The
Xbox Series X is built for developers, unleashing
mechanical power to “remove limitations”
and create bigger, better games.
“Games
today deliver amazing visuals and tell an array of
different and deep stories,” says Phil Spencer,
head, Xbox. “That’s why, when we started
work on Xbox Series X, it was vital we continue to
advance state-of-the-art visual capabilities for developers,
while also ensuring they could realize even greater
feeling, emotion and empathy in their games. With
Xbox Series X, we will elevate the way games look,
play and feel. We will also remove the technical barriers
faced in previous generations and enable developers
to create more expansive, immersive gaming worlds
that invite more players to play.”
With
44.9 million units sold in 2019 (Statista), Xbox may
sit in the shadow of PlayStation, but holds a huge
percentage of loyal market engagement. Combine its
fan base with the rising trend of cross-play gaming
titles – made the norm with “Call of Duty:
Modern Warfare” – and the lack of Xbox exclusives
means that online gaming is a strong focus for Xbox
Series X.
“As
we enter a new generation of gaming, we see a future,
where you’re instantly absorbed in your games
– where worlds are even more lifelike, immersive,
responsive and surprising – and where you are
at the center of your gaming experience. With the
new Xbox Series X, we will realize that vision,”
adds Spencer.
Along
with a focus on cloud gaming and streaming speed with
Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox Series X rewards the loyalty
of its players with backward capability for the first
time on the platform, meaning Xbox One games (at least)
will act as a base for future franchises heading to
the console.
The
fight for next-gen master-class console gaming is
on, and two brands are currently vying to define a
new era at the close of 2020. We look forward to bringing
you more details on new titles, experiences and immersive
capabilities set to release at the end of the year,
as they emerge.
Gaming remains one of the biggest industries in the
world. Strangely, here in Australia the EB Games shops
and due to close. The kids (and parents) must be purchasing
online so the middlemen missed out. I expect the wrestling
themed game RetroMania tondo very well, and the World
Surf League needs to release a new surfing themed
game yesterday. The UFC still has some MMA games in
the pipeline, as you have to have the BMF champ in
a game. What kid wouldn't want to be the champ. Retro
sports and retro themes are as cool as ever. Something
tells me more adult themes will sell, and we're talking
about more than Grand Theft Auto. The mood is right
for a science fiction - science fact type game based
off John Carpenter's 'They Live' or 'Escape From New
York'. Hey, Doom and Tomb Raider became reality, so
why not these. Oh, boxer Tyson Fury, who also wrestles
on occasion, would be interested in getting featured
in a game too. Boxing themed games enjoy a loyal fanbase
which is better than disloyal. Tyson will put the
Box in the X, and Microsoft will keep adding the X
factor. Game On!
