2013 has been labeled as the year Microsoft and Sony release their next generation of gaming consoles – successors to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 respectively. However, there have been no official confirmations in this regard and we can only speculate which console is to release first and when it will eventually release. The next generation console era will officially begin when Nitendo releases its Wii U later this fall.

Only Wii U to come in 2012?

The topic has been brought to the fore once again recently by Gamespot CEO, Paul Raines who has claimed that only one of the two heavyweight consoles will make their debut next year. He made these remarks in a chat hosted by The Verge,
“This week, I’m getting a lot of rumors that are very interesting about 2013. We have not been expecting two more consoles in 2013. We’re expecting Wii U this holiday, another one next year, and another one in ’14. These rumours change every week, but we’re hearing more about next year.”

2013 Might be Microsoft’s Year!

If we are to believe the statement, then it can be safely assumed that Microsoft will pitch in their product first next year since it was in 2005 that when the Xbox 360 was first released. Although a revamp was made a couple of years back, it is difficult to consider that Microsoft will keep up with the outdated technology. Sony, who have currently a more powerful machine out in the market, can be expected to stick with it at least till the end of next year.

PS 3 – Still Ruling the Market!

The PlayStation 3, given a ten year lifespan upon its release, is still attracting a number of first party exclusives and the graphics of those games cannot matched by any console as of now leaving Sony in no rush to push for an upgrade. The Last Of Us and Beyond: Two Souls are two PS3 titles that have left consumers speechless as they have taken the gaming experience to another level.
It has to be said that this thought is not agreed upon by everyone out there with many believing that the Sony PlayStation 4 could hit the shelves first since Sony’s development program started earlier. Whoever makes the first move is irrespective of the fact that we are going to be hit with a monster of a gaming console next year.