The 9th generation of gaming devices is reaching its last years, and with it, the rumours of the next consoles are starting to appear everywhere. But before that happens, let’s look at how good this generation has been and what awaits the future consoles. It’s time to dive into the present and possible future of gaming.
The 9th So Far…
After a seven-year wait, the ninth generation of consoles formally started appearing in November 2020 with the launch of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X & S. Although the Switch is Nintendo’s current console, many still consider it part of the previous generation, being released years earlier during the PS4 and Xbox One era.
In addition to the big three, it’s also worth mentioning the Steam Deck, a handheld released by Valve (the company behind Steam) in 2022 that runs on a customized version of Linux called Steam OS. Despite being a portable, the console has run various demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Final Fantasy VII Remake without major issues, reviving interest in portable consoles and becoming an alternative option for PC gamers.
Despite the Xbox Series’ best efforts, the PS5 remains the most successful console of this generation, selling over 59 million units. That said, neither of them has surpassed the total sales of the PS4 or the Switch, which is close to becoming the best-selling console in history with over 143 million units sold, and counting.
Rays, Speed and Cloud – How Gaming has Changed
Every console generation has changed how people play games, and the 9th is no exception. The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and improvements in different pieces of hardware have allowed the 9th gen consoles to take advantage of these technologies.
Game from Anywhere – The Rise of Cloud Gaming
Cloud games have existed since the early days of the Internet, with many people visiting a casino online or social platform like Facebook to enjoy them. However, over the last few years, this sector has grown in ways that no one could have predicted.
With the rise of the 9th generation, companies like Microsoft and others have taken a major interest in cloud gaming, to the point that they have started offering these services for mobiles and smart TVs even if people don’t own an Xbox.
At the same time, Sony released the PlayStation Portal, a handheld device similar to the PS Vita that can be connected to the PS5. This allows users to enjoy games from anywhere in their house via streaming.
Ray Tracing – A New Way to Illuminate Games
First seen in Metro Exodus and Battlefield V, ray tracing has become one of the most interesting additions to gaming graphics over the last decade. This technology uses an AI algorithm to change how light interacts with objects and characters in real-time.
The PS5 and Xbox Series were the first consoles to add this option to hundreds of games, allowing players to experience what it’s like to play with more photorealistic scenarios.
Solid-State Drives for Absolutely Everything
Solid-state drives (SSDs) have existed since the 1950s and offer superior performance compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). However, these drives required battery backups and were extremely expensive for casual users, so they were used only in mainframes and military computers.
Fortunately, the development of these drives has significantly improved in recent years. Nowadays, it’s easy to find SSDs costing less than £100. They can reach writing speeds of 3000 Mbps and more, which improves the performance of any application and game.
Although it was possible to install an SSD in PS4s and Xbox One, the current consoles are the first to take full advantage of these drives, with downloads and installations that last seconds and little-to-no loading screens in games.
Which Consoles Are Rumoured to Come Out Soon?
With the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI just around the corner and many other games becoming more and more demanding, it’s only natural to consider an upgraded version of the current consoles. These are some of the most prominent rumours about upcoming releases:
PS5 Gets a Pro Upgrade
Similar to its predecessor, it seems the PS5 will receive a Pro version in late 2024 or 2025. The new model will have a slightly better processor and prioritize ray tracing so players don’t lose as much performance while using this mode.
According to rumours, the PS5 Pro will also include a special upscaler called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). Like Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR, this program will aim to dynamically render games at different resolutions so players can enjoy better performance without sacrificing image quality.
The Nintendo Switch Successor
In May, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said via X (formerly Twitter) that the company will announce the successor to the Switch in the latter part of 2024.
So far, there hasn’t been much information about the new console’s features. Still, many have rumoured that it will run on an Nvidia chip like its predecessor, will be retro-compatible with current Switch games, and will feature a special custom upscaler software like the PSSR.
What Happens With Xbox?
Microsoft recently revealed the release of an All-Digital Xbox Series X & S with 1TB of storage and a Galaxy Black Series X with 2TB of storage and a disk reader.
Beyond those releases, there is no news of an upgraded version of the Xbox Series. While there have been rumours of a new console, everything seems to indicate that it will be a direct successor or something completely different to the Xbox Series.
What Will the Priorities of the 10th Generation be?
Considering the information leaked so far, it seems that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will focus heavily on better processors from AMD and Nvidia so their consoles can access upscaling, ray tracing, and maybe even frame generation technologies.
With games being released less often in physical format, it’s quite possible that companies might decide to ditch the disk reader altogether from consoles and focus only on downloadable content. Only time will tell.
