PS6 Release Window Locked In Following Steam Machine Pre-Order Reveal
Topics: PlayStation, Tech, Sony
Featured Image Credit: Sony
Topics: PlayStation, Tech, Sony
Overwhelmed by the price of the Steam Machine? Well, it may also be time to start saving up for the PlayStation 6.
Several reports have surfaced in recent months with various claims about the launch plans of the PlayStation 6, Sony’s next-gen console.
The latest report, however, has dragged the date forward from previous rumours of 2028 or 2029.
As reported by ComicBook, the somewhat reputable NeoGAF leaker Kepler2 has surfaced with the intel that the PlayStation 6 is launching next year in 2027.
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They added that “the console is basically done”. It was previously suggested that PlayStation and Xbox could go head to head with their next-gen consoles in 2027’s holiday season.
If that does eventually prove to be true, it means that gamers have a decent amount of time to save up.
There isn’t a lot that’s known about the PlayStation 6 beyond it reportedly featuring an AMD "Orion" APU with up to 10 Zen 6 cores, as well as a 52-54 CU RDNA 5 GPU.
Reputable leaker Moore’s Law is Dead further claims that it’ll be capable of running games at 4K and 120fps.
There are, understandably, major concerns surrounding how much the PlayStation 6 will cost - especially as the PlayStation 5 Pro boasts a price tag of $900.
That $900 purchase doesn’t include a disc drive or vertical stand either.
It’s perhaps safe to assume that PlayStation will carry that release model over into the PS6 generation, treating disc drives and stands as add-ons rather than included components.
The PlayStation 5 Pro launched before RAM shortages came into effect, but those are also going to impact the rollout of the PS6.
It’s actually the rise of AI that’s led to a worldwide shortage of RAM. Data centres are required in order for AI programmes, like Chat GPT, to run.
They’re being erected at record pace all across the world - and yes, they’re terrible for the environment.
They also require tons of RAM which is why electronics manufacturers, including those within the gaming sphere, are struggling.
The Steam Machine has just confirmed its highly-anticipated pricing ahead of the PC/console hybrid launching later this month.
Valve has already confessed that the hardware’s price is much higher than hoped, with difficult market conditions to blame.
Launching on 30 June, the base version of the Steam Machine (512GB) will retail for $1,049 - or it’s due to cost $1,128 if you want to bundle that with a controller.
For the pricier 2TB version, it’s $1,349 for a console or $1,428 if you want to bundle this edition with a controller.
As such, there’s now a very real fear that the PS6 and Project Helix could also set gamers back four-figures.
It’s at that point that many gamers will feel priced out of the hobby.
The original PS1, for example, cost $299. Yes, consoles are much more technically demanding now, but there’s only so far that you can push pricing before gamers say ‘no thank you’.
READ MORE: Steam Machine Sets $1049 Price Tag Yet Can't Match $900 PS5 Pro's Power