As the years go by in the console industry, the idea of mid-generation upgrades is beginning to be talked about once again. The previous PlayStation and Xbox systems were both released in 2013, with the PS4 Pro arriving in 2016 and the Xbox One X coming a year later in 2017. With the current generation consoles, the three-year release window is approaching for the PS5, which was launched in 2020. Similarly, the Xbox Series X/S was released in the same year, making November 2024 a potential release window for a mid-gen upgrade.
However, this console generation feels different, with different considerations on both sides. For instance, it’s pretty obvious why PlayStation won’t be launching a PS5 Pro anytime soon, given that the current supply of PS5s is only just starting to meet demand. Additionally, PlayStation seems to be in no rush to release a more powerful version of the console, especially with the current PS5 doing so well and its upcoming releases, such as Horizon Forbidden West, looking fantastic.
On the other hand, Xbox is in a different place, with the Xbox One X having been released to compete with the PS4 Pro in the previous generation. However, Xbox now seems resigned to the fact that they are not going to catch Sony in console sales and instead are focused on getting Xbox Game Pass onto as many devices as possible. There have been rumors of a new Xbox Series console, which could be a smaller and cheaper streaming box designed exclusively for Microsoft’s Game Pass and Cloud Gaming ambitions.
As for whether or not consumers will be interested in a mid-generation upgrade, that’s up for debate. Those who are deeply invested in console gaming and those who always want the latest tech may consider upgrading. For others who have gotten into PC gaming or who aren’t interested in slight upgrades, it may not be as attractive. Ultimately, time will tell whether or not a mid-gen upgrade will be successful for PlayStation and Xbox.
At the end of the day, the gaming industry is continuously evolving and it will be interesting to see how both companies adapt to these changes in the coming years. Only then we will know what their focus on innovation is, and whether mid-generation upgrades will become the norm or remain a thing of the past.
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According to https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/04/24/would-you-pay-for-a-mid-gen-ps5-pro-or-xbox-series-y-upgrade/
The material in this article is written on the basis of another article.
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