Report: PS4 and next Xbox to launch this year

Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s next Xbox will both be launched by the end of the year, an analyst has claimed.

As reported by MCV, Baird Equity Research’s Colin Sebastian said the PS4 will be released in October, while Microsoft will launch the new Xbox in November.

He further stated that the next-generation hardware from both companies will also be revealed at E3 in June, and will be built from ‘off the shelf’ high-end PC components.

Sebastian added he expected the consoles to use hybrid physical/digital distribution models, enhanced voice controls and motion sensing – with Kinect integrated with every Xbox.

He said however that “early production issues” could delay the PS4’s release.

"Given the fragile state of the console game market, we expect the E3 trade show in June will take on added significance, most likely providing the industry with the first public opportunity to examine next-generation hardware," he said.

"Our checks suggest that next-generation console hardware will be largely built from ‘off the shelf’ high-end PC components, along with hybrid physical/digital distribution models, enhanced voice controls and motion sensing (Kinect integration with every Xbox), and broad multi-media capabilities."

Reports on the upcoming reveal and potential launch date of Sony and Microsoft’s next generation consoles have begun hitting overdrive of late, with some reports claiming the PS4 will be announced before E3.