The year 2013 will see the release of only one next-generation console, predicts GameStop boss Paul Raines.
The North American retail giant doesn’t expect to see both Sony and Microsoft’s new hardware in shops next year despite rumors to the contrary, though reckons we’ll definitely get one of them – as for which one though, Raines isn’t saying.
“This week, I’m getting a lot of rumors that are very interesting about 2013,” he told Polygon. “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 rumors change every week, but we’re hearing more about next year.”
Internet gossip puts Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 out by Christmas 2013, though some believe that Sony will arrive a little later this time, with the successor to PS3 turning up in early 2014.
Looking back at this generation of hardware, Microsoft got its foot on the ladder first with 360 launching in November 2005, while Sony released PS3 alongside Nintendo Wii a year later. Despite this, Sony’s machine has managed to narrow the gap between itself and 360 to just under four million units.
Regardless of when the new consoles will launch however, it is widely believed that we’ll get reveals of both platforms at E3 next year.
Stay tuned.