I had a thought when I was discussing next-gen console with the Phenixx Gaming staff. Nobody I know personally is grabbing a console at launch from either Sony or Microsoft. The real difference this time around is that I know more people who take gaming seriously than ever in my life. Writing about games helps me meet dedicated, passionate people who love this entertainment medium. I still don’t know anyone grabbing a launch console.

That’s not to say my personal inner-circle is representative of gaming’s entire community. I just don’t think we’re going to see a next-gen launch in November that feels like a new era. We’ll likely see this generation of consoles get going in mid-2021 or even 2022. That’s a product of a few things. Firstly, COVID-19 is making all of us prioritize very differently than in a normal calendar year. Likewise, a tumultuous election, civil unrest, and other causes seem to be occupying space in our brain.

The game-changer for me though is the comfort level both Sony and Microsoft have with allowing top-tier games to exist on both current-gen and next-gen consoles. The top launch game in all of the industry will be Spider-Man Miles Morales. You can play that game on a PS4. My question then is why buy one at launch? You might have the means, but does it make sense as a gamer?

The answer depends on everyone’s individual perception of these consoles. I can see myself grabbing one next summer, but I’m holding off this November. There’s a lot happening in gaming that feels like we’re living in the future. I just happen to think that future is still about 18 months away, despite what hits shelves next month.

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