Microsoft states in an FTC hearing that the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox might debut in 2028

Unknown facts have come to light as a result of the current FTC proceedings regarding Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard. These facts would not have come to light without the FTC’s participation in the alleged antitrust action.

According to one of these documents, which is being used as evidence, Microsoft anticipates the next-generation PlayStation system, which is most likely going to be dubbed the PlayStation 6, and the core Xbox to debut in 2028, or around five years from now, according to IGN.

Microsoft’s ability to mention the next-generation console in the paper sent to the FTC suggests that it is already under development. If past experience is any indicator, Sony and Microsoft both released their home gaming systems at the same time.

On November 12, 2020—two days after the Xbox Series X/S—the PlayStation 5 was made available. On November 15, 2013, the PlayStation 4 was made available, and on November 22, 2013, the Xbox One. As you can see, both firms plan to debut their consoles around the same time, during the Christmas season. Therefore, it’s feasible that Sony will do the same if Xbox releases the next-generation Xbox Series system in 2028.

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer said that his company is third in the market for gaming consoles, after Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo, at the FTC hearing. According to The Verge, he also said that Sony is actively attempting to drive Xbox out of business.

The publisher of Starfield, Bethesda, was allegedly bought by Xbox when Sony tried to negotiate an exclusive contract for the game on the PlayStation 5.

In related news, a purported internal Microsoft email used as evidence in a different case claims that one of the goals of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard is “to put its main competition, the Sony PlayStation, out of the market.”