Topics: PlayStation, PlayStation 5, Tech, Sony, Naughty Dog, Intergalactic, CD Projekt Red, The Witcher, The Witcher 4
Discussions surrounding the PlayStation 6 are well underway.
It may feel a tad too early, but it isn’t really; the PlayStation 5 is approaching its fifth anniversary and Sony typically opts for six to seven year life cycles.
I’d imagine it’ll opt for the latter here as it doesn’t feel as if PlayStation 5 users have yet received enough bang for their back when it comes to exclusive games.
As such, it’s unlikely that we’ll see the PlayStation 6 land until 2027.
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It recently came to light though that two major games may also be targeting a 2027 launch.
Could they be landing on the PlayStation 6?
One of those is The Witcher IV.
In a recent earnings call, CD Projekt RED had the following to say (as per PC Gamer): "Even though we do not plan to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we are still driven by this financial goal."
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, a leading voice in the industry, then added the following referencing both The Witcher IV and Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: “I'm pretty sure I said they were both going to be very early teases. Neither of those games will be out next year.”
There are a couple of things to consider here though.
The PlayStation 5 won’t reach its seventh anniversary until December of 2027 so I’d be surprised if we saw the PlayStation 6 arrive much earlier than that.
In fact, the console could even slip into 2028.
Whereas there are no limitations on Intergalactic nor The Witcher IV, so there is a world in which they might release ahead of the PlayStation 6 in early 2027.
There’s also the fact that Naughty Dog is yet to pin down a date, unlike CDPR which has ruled out 2026.
Schreier’s statement feels speculatory, rather than based on any real evidence.
Both PlayStation and Naughty Dog have made an effort in recent years to announce projects much closer to launch.
Ghost of Yōtei, for example, was unveiled last September ahead of a 2026 launch.
The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II Remastered were revealed mere months before their anticipated launches.
Personally, I could see Intergalactic targeting a late 2026 launch, particularly as Neil Druckmann recently made reference to the game being played in the Naughty Dog office; it sounds pretty far along.
So will The Witcher IV and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet be next-gen titles?
It’s hard to say. There’s a solid chance they won’t be but even if that’s the case, I daren’t say both might be prepping PS6 ports or upgrade paths.
Personally, I’m inclined to think that they’ll both see out the current generation.
