"Although we have not modelled extensive growth for new innovation in this presentation, we are very pleased to see the introduction of technology like virtual reality and rumoured new console launches, some of which seem imminent," GameStop COO Tony Bartel said at the company's investor and analyst briefing day in Texas earlier this week.
Following AMD's latest financials, which stated that new consoles are slated for "the second half of 2016", US video game retail giant GameStop has joined in, claiming that their launch is "imminent".
In the Q&A session that followed, GameStop executives were asked if Bartel's comments were related to the Nintendo NXor others such as the heavily rumoured PS4Kand Xbox 1.5. They did not comment.
Now, it's all but obvious that we'll see at least a couple of new consoles this year. From a potential games listto possible specifications, all the Nintendo NX is missing is an official reveal from the Kyoto-based company. On the other hand, Sony has been mum on its plans for its next iteration of the PS4. Microsoft on the other hand, has spoken against any incremental edition of the Xbox One. Although FCC filings reveal that it is indeed working on a possible variant of the Xbox One or a completely new console with a potential E3 2016 unveiling.
All of this makes us wonder if Microsoft and Sony have their consumers' best interests at heart. The PS4 and Xbox One released in 2013. Barely three years later, rampant speculation of new versions is not a good thing. It simply frustrates existing console owners and keeps potential new buyers away. For Microsoft and Sony's sake we hope that their offerings are slimmed down versions of existing consoles rather than brand new hardware that could fragment an already burgeoning user base.