Microsoft Believes The New Xbox Generation And PlayStation 6 Will Not Come Until 2028

In the process of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the first forecasts for the possible market launch of the PlayStation 6 (PS6) and a new Xbox generation come to light. The Redmond company does not expect the next-gen consoles until 2028.

The latest assessments come from court documents in the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit against Activision Blizzard and Microsoft, in which the Redmond-based company limits the “expected launch period” of the next generation of consoles. Accordingly, the successors of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X | S should not appear for five years.

There would be eight years between the introduction of the current Sony and Microsoft consoles and a possible PlayStation 6 or new Xbox in 2028. In comparison, the period between the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One was in the direction of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for almost seven years. Microsoft’s forecast thus seems quite realistic, albeit comparatively conservative.

Maximum transparency for Microsoft’s billion-dollar takeover

The reason for Microsoft’s testimony in court is the takeover plans of Activision Blizzard, a 69 billion dollar deal that the FTC and opponents like Sony are supposed to prevent. Initially, the Japanese had expressed concerns that Microsoft could withdraw successful blockbusters, such as those of the Call of Duty franchise, from the PlayStation platform in the future and offer them exclusively for Xbox and PC. Redmond denied these rumors and offered Sony a 10-year PlayStation commitment for Call of Duty to be on the safe side.

According to IGN, the court said: “This term would definitely extend beyond the expected start of the next generation of consoles (2028). Thus, Call of Duty will also be released on the successor consoles to the PlayStation, should one appear during the term of the agreement. The Agreement would also ensure that Call of Duty console games would be offered on PlayStation on par with Xbox.”

Is PS5 Pro & Xbox SX Pro still on course?

Experts are currently assuming that before the transition to the PlayStation 6 (PS6) and the new Xbox, various Slim or Pro variants of the current consoles can be expected. A possible PS5 Pro or Xbox Series X Pro could not only provide higher resolutions and frame rates with improved hardware but also keep pace with developments in the PC sector.