Sony says the next-generation PlayStation console is coming, but at the moment, there’s no internal release date pegged for the hardware. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki confirmed that the company hasn’t fixed a launch date for the PS6, mainly due to current market conditions surrounding RAM and hardware shortages. Totoki says that Sony’s current goal is to focus on what the company does best, which means bolstering its entertainment division and increasing its focus on IP-driven content across movies, music, games, and other revenue streams. The current stance for the PS6 is simple: while it is important for the future of games under the PlayStation brand, it isn’t the only thing keeping Sony’s business moving. The company is essentially building a system where its current IPs will continue to generate revenue even if there’s no new console on the market. This is a smart move given current market conditions. The company, like most tech brands, is struggling to secure components for future hardware revisions. However, Totoki sees AI as both a good and a bad thing. It’s bad because it has caused a disruption in tech availability, but good because Sony is finding useful ways to implement the tools internally. So right now, Sony isn’t saying “yes” to a 2027 launch for the PS6. While there’s no doubt the console is being developed, market conditions make it tough to determine the best time to launch. In the meantime, Sony is working on bolstering its entertainment portfolio to keep players busy while they wait. Sony, of course, is also banking on the launch of GTA VI in November to help drive console sales. The PS5 will be seen as the go-to platform to play the next installment in the series. The launch of the game can be seen as a major commercial moment for PlayStation, even if it isn’t technically their game. Source: WSJ Original article on GLITCHED Written by Marco Cocomello

Last month, PlayStation unceremoniously announced that it would be ending the production of physical game discs starting from January 2028. The company is now remaining firm on its decision and giving consumers ample warnings about the impending shift to all-digital. Users are now reporting that PS5 console packaging is coming with warning stickers letting them know that Sony will eventually kill off game discs. As reported by IGN, one such sticker was shared to social media by a user showing that their recently-purchased PS5 contained a new warning sticker on the box that reads: “Important Notice: From Jan. 2028, newly released games on PlayStation will be available for purchase on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital format only. Discs released before Jan. 2028 can continue to be played on this console.” Another user on BlueSky corroborated this, also revealing that they had received the exact same message when purchasing a PlayStation disc drive, meaning these warning labels aren’t necessarily limited to just consoles but possibly Sony’s entire relevant hardware catalogue. However, it’s hard to verify which regions or countries these warning stickers are being issued. As far as IGN knows, the warning labels aren’t showing on new PS5 stock at BestBuy in the US, at least not yet. Despite pushback from the community that took the form of petitions, protests and mockery from other companies, Sony is ignoring the noise and quietly pushing ahead with its plans for an all-digital future. It’s not that nobody saw this coming – as many have already pointed out, the biggest concern is that PlayStation’s digital ecosystem is wholly flawed and it’s consumer protection laws aren’t as air-tight as Steam or other digital platforms. Furthermore, under PlayStation, it’s not complete ownership. Sony still reserves the rights to block or erase your account (either intentionally or God forbid, by accident), taking your entire digital library with it without any fail-safes in place to actually retain the files you purchased (like GOG). Source: IGN Original article on GLITCHED

Chinese handheld maker Ayaneo has decided to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Nintendo’s extremely popular Game Boy Advance with a lovingly recreated modern interpretation of the console. Dubbed the Konkr Pocket Advance, it’s a complete update of the original Game Boy Advance with upgrades like a sharper display, USB-C connectivity, wireless support and more. The Konkr Pocket Advance specifically targets the growing retro gaming market with its modern reinterpretation of Nintendo’s iconic Game Boy Advance. At face value, the design largely remains the same with nearly identical dimensions. What separates it from the original is the finer upgrades like a higher-resolution display for a sharper, clearer visual experience, additional controls, USB-C connectivity and wireless support, making it less of a rip-off and more of a modernised revision of the handheld. Ayaneo is one of many companies (including Anbernic or Retroid) that recognise the growing demand for retro gaming, especially with handhelds in mind. While the gaming industry marches toward a very expensive future, retro gaming companies are looking back and attempting to bring the love of the classics into the modern age. Furthermore, the Konkr Pocket Advance scratches an itch that Nintendo can’t deliver today. Instead of simply getting an assortment of Game Boy Advance titles through the Switch Online service to celebrate its legacy in gaming, enthusiasts can rely on Ayaneo and others to get their fix of physical retro handheld consoles that might not be the official thing but it’s pretty darn close. The Konkr Pocket Advance will launch in two colour options: navy blue inspired by the classic Indigo Game Boy Advance and a coral orange reminiscent of Nintendo’s Spice Orange edition, a limited edition that was previously exclusive to Japan. Ayaneo has not announced a pricing or release date but it’s expected to ship later this year. We’ll keep you updated on local availability and how you can get your hands on one closer to launch. Here are the full specs of the Konkr Pocket Advance: - Dimensions & Weight: Measures 151.3mm × 82.4mm × 22mm and weighs approximately 224 grams. - Screen: 3.5-inch high-definition 3:2 LCD screen with 960 × 640 resolution and 4x point-to-point scaling. - Buttons: Classic D-pad, ABXY face buttons with conductive rubber, large L1/R1, and separate L2/R2 shoulder buttons. - Extra Features: Physical volume wheel, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot for expanding storage. - Wireless: Supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. Pricing and specific processor details are not yet announced. Source: Engadget Original article on GLITCHED

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has sent an internal letter to Microsoft employees regarding the state of Xbox following the recent reshuffle that impacted thousands of jobs and the departure of multiple studios. Sharma says the Xbox division has four major goals for fiscal 2027, which include strengthening its platform through console hardware, growing games into global franchises, making Minecraft the world’s creator platform, and expanding on the worlds that fans love. The Xbox division is hoping to return to positive operating revenue by June 2027. Sharma says that by using the four C’s (Core, Content, Creation, Connection), the company will help grow meaningful player value and accelerate revenue. In the letter, Sharma notes that Xbox is home to 100 million players every day and more than 500 million each month. She adds that one billion people interact with Xbox in some way each year. Sharma also noted that Xbox consoles generate the majority of revenue for the division, and as a result, hardware remains a top priority for the brand. Keep in mind that Microsoft still doesn’t make a profit on the Xbox Series X/S consoles despite them costing $300 more now than they did at launch. However, Sharma says the brand is focusing on console hardware, Xbox’s OS, Game Pass, Windows, and streaming as a major focus for new players and developers. To end off, she says that Microsoft is focusing on its biggest franchises in order to accelerate growth across the Xbox brand. This includes multi-layered experiences across film, television, consumer products, sponsorships, live experiences, and games. This has proven to be a successful approach when tested elsewhere. Sharma claims that three Xbox franchises already generate more than $1 billion annually, though she didn’t specify which. Original article on GLITCHED Written by Marco Cocomello