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A new report says Sony's next Playstation console will focus on what they think hardcore gamers want, like high-end hardware and top tier gaming experiences. Sony seems to be going down a path similar to that of 2013 when the PS4 was first announced. Considering the PlayStation brand's success for the overall company, it's unsurprising that they're going to be taking a relatively similar approach with the console that will likely be called the PS5.

Back in 2013, Sony won over the masses early on with the Ps4 after Microsoft's muddled focus on an all-in-one entertainment system cost them at the beginning of the eighth console generation. With the ninth console generation just on the horizon, Sony is diving right in with the promise of hardware that'll focus on the main components their audience cares about.

In a report from the Wall Street Journal, Sony's next console is said to include top of the line internals, major third-party publishers, and jaw-dropping AAA experiences from their first-party studios. Sony's focus is on giving hardcore gamers the experience they want, hoping that this will continue to set them apart from the competition. In addition to these details, the PS5 is said to also include: backwards compatibility with the entire PS4 library, support for current PS VR models, a solid state drive (SSD), PlayStation Now support, and an "appealing" price-point for consumers. With The Last of Us: Part II, Death Stranding, and Ghost of Tsushima coming down the pipeline, it wouldn't be too surprising to see each of them make it onto the next PlayStation console at some point, delivering on its first-party promises.

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With Microsoft's Project Scarlett launching in late 2020, we'll surely be hearing more about the PS5 very soon. Microsoft's new focus on gaming first as well as their increased lineup of first-party studios gives them an edge, too. It's certainly going to be a more heated battle than previous console generations with even Google throwing their hat in the ring with the all-streaming Stadia. As of right now, Sony is still largely looking at Microsoft as its main competitor in the next console race. And while Sony still considers smaller titles important, they believe that their core audience buys a console for the biggest titles in the industry, like Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, and God of War. Therefore, the company will work on its partnerships with large third-parties as well as its major first-parties.

If anything, the lineup of first-party exclusive on the PS4 already elevated the console's success in the gaming market this generation. If they focus on their hardcore audience and release more titles like God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Bloodborne, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, the word of mouth alone could bring in gamers who don't have any sort of allegiance to a particular brand. It'll certainly be interesting to see how this strategy plays out for them.

Usually, it seems there is a flippening (sales wise) every console generation ever since Microsoft and Sony started competing. Sony's PS2 was a super hit compared to Xbox, then Xbox 360 mopped the floor with PS3, then PS4 showed XBOX One who's the boss. Based on that it is Microsoft's turn to sell the most units but I am looking forward to seeing if Sony retains its lead