The PlayStation from Sony Group Corp. (SONY  ) and the Xbox from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT  ) are the two biggest players in console gaming. The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launched in 2020 and are the latest iterations of the two console brands

Two Consoles To Rule Them All

As the years pass from the launch date of one of the two iconic consoles, gamers and industry watchers speculate about the newest version. According to details from recent court filings, both firms will likely launch new consoles in 2028. An eight-year gap for a launch is a little longer than typical for the PlayStation, which is usually revamped every five years, but it's the typical timeframe for the Xbox.

During the pandemic, many consoles were difficult to find because of supply chain issues, especially for electronics components like chips and other parts. As those issues eased in 2023, the companies could turn more of their focus toward launching new consoles to keep a hold on their market dominance.

Biggest Gaming Acquisition In History

The information about the planned Xbox schedule comes from documents related to Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. (ATVI  ) Microsoft's proposed $69 billion acquisition is by far the largest gaming industry acquisition in terms of dollar value. The acquisition is under review by the U.S. court system and in the U.K. for potential antitrust issues. As regulators examine the acquisition, industry experts eagerly await the outcome, as it has the potential to reshape the gaming landscape and consolidate power in the industry.

The courts' decisions will have far-reaching implications for Microsoft and the industry. For example, Sony executives have said in court documents the company would withhold information from Activision about the PlayStation 6's capabilities if the Microsoft deal goes through. Activision Blizzard Inc. owns several of the gaming industry's top franchises, including "World of Warcraft," "Call of Duty," "Overwatch" and "Candy Crush."

With several years to go until the projected launch dates for the Xbox and PlayStation consoles, developers and engineers will have ample time to harness technological advancements and incorporate revolutionary features. This includes integrating various artificial intelligence (AI) engines and tools into the consoles and related games, potentially transforming gameplay into a new future. Microsoft is a major partner with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, and will blend AI into nearly all of its products, including Xbox and its game portfolio. Startups like Gameflip have already begun integrating technology like AI and blockchain into their platforms. And the gaming community can also anticipate both new consoles to feature enhanced visual effects with stunning virtual environments that will spawn new game franchises and adventures.