Get ready for some gaming news overload! This week, we’ve got everything from a potential PS5 Pro to a delayed Switch 2, microtransactions, and even a Crazy Taxi revival with a live-service twist. Buckle up, gamers!
PS5 Pro Release Date Rumor
Industry analyst Serkan Toto predicts a PS5 Pro launch in the second half of 2024, aiming to boost sales and capitalize on GTA 6’s arrival.
Switch 2 delayed
However, Nintendo fans face a slight delay with the Switch 2 pushed to early 2025, according to Brazilian journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe.
Ninguém quer ouvir isso, mas essa aqui é bem intensa.
Após consultar 5 fontes de 3 continentes diferentes, todos ecoando basicamente a mesma coisa, O X do Controle hoje revela: o lançamento do sucessor do Switch só deve acontecer em 2025.
Detalhes no episódio. https://t.co/PqVik1A3gF
— PH (@phluttilippe) February 16, 2024
While the PS5 outsells its competitor, concerns remain:
- Slow first-party game releases
- Missed hardware sales goals
- Falling profit margins
Analysts suggest Sony sees the PS5 Pro as a solution, potentially launching with leaked detailed technical specs this fall. Though unofficially confirmed, hints from executives suggest a 2023 plan that was delayed.
Analyst Insights:
- Serkan Toto (Tokyo-based): Sony is likely preparing a PS5 Pro launch in the second half of 2024, aiming for compatibility with a potential 2025 GTA 6 release.
- George Jijiashvili (Omdia): A PS5 Pro launch with declining hardware sales is possible.
- Microsoft’s Approach: No confirmed mid-gen upgrade plans, with rumors of a less powerful model this fall. Focus on next-gen hardware with no confirmed release date.
Sony’s Challenges:
- Lowest operating margin in years.
- Blamed for high game development costs, like Spider-Man 2’s $300 million budget.
Possible Solutions:
- Live service games.
- Multiplatform first-party titles.
Additional Considerations:
- No price reduction for the PS5 Slim is expected after the PS5 Pro launch.
- Potential ethical concerns surrounding ever-increasing game development costs.
