PS5: Release date, launch games, and everything you need to know about the Sony PlayStation 5

We're still on track for a PS5 release, despite everything that's going on in the world. Yes, it's time to get excited about the next-generation of PlayStation consoles, especially now we've had more official news from Sony itself on the PlayStation 5. Those PS5 specs are looking quite distinct now, building a bit more into the idea of the PS5 vs Xbox Series X. Thankfully, it doesn't look like we're facing a PS5 delay for now, even with growing concerns and event cancellations around COVID-19. 

The biggest news takeaways from today's PS5 event though can be captured here:

• Sony says PS5 SSD is "key" to next-gen hardware
• PS5 game updates will be more streamlined, so say goodbye to 'copying' delays
• PS5 load times eliminated to "give the game designer freedom" to make whatever they want
• You can play PS4 games on PS5 with an external hard drive
• PS5 game betas coming before the end of the year

Aside from tech details, all we know right now that Sony's next-gen console is arriving sometime in the 'Holiday 2020' period, and a little about the unique specs and hardware that it'll bring with it, we're a little scarce on the specifics that really matter - aka price, games and what the PS5 design will be. However, it's interesting that the official Sony PS5 webpage is now live, as it makes us think something is happening soon.

The PS5 is going to be in direct competition with the Xbox Series X, which is coming also in Holiday 2020, and know we even know what it looks like. Your turn, Sony. Interestingly, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan states that there's a lot more news to come about the PS5. He said that the console has a number of "unique elements" that'll make it stand out from its predecessors that have yet to be announced. 

"With every new console, the processor and graphics get better, which is, of course, compelling, but we need to have unique elements too", explained Ryan in an interview with Business Insider. Apparently many of these "bigger differences" between PS5 and PS4 haven't yet been announced.

Also, in a recent Wired article, PS5 architect Mark Cerny (the man also responsible for leading work on the PlayStation 4) gave us a bumper of info about the upcoming PS5 specs, alongside hints about what we can expect from the PS5 price. 

The TL;DR version is that it'll be backwards compatible with PS4; will have a disc drive; it's been in development for over four years; a number of studios are already working on PS5 games; it'll boast 8K graphics and support for ray tracing; and under the hood will be a custom made AMD CPU and GPU.