Summary
With fans anticipating future releases from Sony’s catalog of exclusive IPs, recent rumors surrounding titles likeThe Last of Us Part 3seem to indicate that the company’s latestPlayStationconsole is in a strange place relative to its predecessors. It could be said that the PS5 has yet to live up to its series’ legacy, and official talks regarding how the system is reaching the end of its life cycle mean there might not be much time left to improve its first party library ahead of the nextPlayStation.
SinceThe Last of Us Part 3’s leaks in 2023let fans know the game could be in the works, it’s been unclear when exactly this third entry could follow after the second in 2020. The large, generation-spanning gap between the first two games logically means the next may easily come two or three years from now, andTLOUisn’t the only franchise in this situation. It’s natural that a high quality product takes years to refine, but the unfortunate consequence of Sony’s current production cycle seems to be coming in the form of leaving the PS5 behind sooner than many would like. If this does happen, there are a handful of games that may not debut until the PS6.
The Reality of Sony’s Statements on the PlayStation 5’s Life Cycle
PS5’s Place in the Lackluster Ninth Console Generation
While there have been several major hits of the past few years on “next-gen” consoles, it could also be said that the current console generation has had one of the hardest times establishing itself. Recentcomments from Sony regarding the PS5’s endin the next few years haven’t inspired more faith, with the company potentially more keen on moving on to the next system than solidifying the influence of its existing product.
There May Be Less Than Three Years Left Until the PS6 Launches
Each of thetwo previous PlayStation generationshave had a run of approximately seven years, and the latest one might end up with a slightly shorter lifespan. With a focus on winding down the PS5 already publicly expressed by Sony and several future exclusives seemingly over a year away, it’s possible that a pivot to the follow-up console could be complete sooner than many fans expect.
There’s a Good Chance Several Upcoming Exclusives Won’t Make It to PS5
Sony’s Development Timelines Are Likely to Stretch Beyond 2024
Rumored titles likeThe Last of Us Part 3that Sony’s studios apparently have in the works all seem to raise a similar concern: whether they will even make it on to PS5. A newGod of Warwould almost certainly push beyond the PS4-compatible scope ofRagnarokwhile taking years to make, and the same could be said forSony’s nextHorizongame, along with the several projects allegedly coming from developers such as Sucker Punch and Insomniac (the rumoredGhost of Tsushima 2andSpider-Man 3come to mind). If Sony is moving toward the tenth generation sooner than later, it’s unclear if there’s going to be room for these potentially ambitious exclusives.
One Remake May Justify the PS6’s Existence for RPG Fans
It’s almost certain that there would be a reaction among fans to the PS5’s short life if another system is announced any time soon, but the prospect of games that could come with better hardware might make it worth the wait. TheDemon’s Soulsremake by Bluepoint has proven to be one of the PS5’s most well-known exclusives despite some criticisms from dedicated fans of the original, and a recentEurogamerinterview with FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that he sees more merit in a similar project forBloodbornein the next generation:
“I think purely from a user perspective, modern hardware also allows more players to appreciate all the games. And so, it ends up being a simple reason, but as a fellow player, I think that accessibility is important. I think that can be the driving force between bringing an old game to a new platform.”
