Sony PlayStation releasing Last of Us 2 on PS4 in 2019? (Image: SONY)
The PlayStation 4 has made a huge success of its library of exclusive console games, which is only set to grow larger in 2019.
So far, titles like God of War and Marvel’s Spider-Man have proven popular with fans, while critics have also lavished praise.
Awards will no doubt be one this year for both titles, which showcase why it might be worth picking up a PS4 console, next to your existing PC, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch.
Exclusive games aren’t the only reason that Sony PlayStation has managed to dominate the current generation of consoles and it isn’t something that necessarily guaranteed to continue into the next.
However, having struck a winning formula with the PS4, there’s no doubt that Sony will try and emulate that success into the future.1
And recent reports suggest that another massive PS4 game exclusive might be launching this year.
The Last of Us Part 2 could be the next big PS4 title to have a console release date set for it this year.
There have been a few hints that something is being cooked up for the first half of 2019, although nothing official from Sony.
The most recent source on the subject comes from an unlikely place, the game’s composer.
Gustavo Santaolalla is reported to have played snippets from the TLOUS and its sequel during a recent event.
He is also reported to have told the crowd that The Last of Us 2 should be coming soon to PS4.
It should be noted that this doesn’t come straight from Naughty Dog or Sony, and should, therefore, be taken with a pinch of salt.
There’s also the chance that he has been misquoted somewhat, however, other evidence has been found to support a 2019 release too.
A reported retail leak had the game coming out in the first half of 2019, while there have been a few nods in the media supporting this idea.
Sony PlayStation has announced that they will be hosting events for their own products during 2019.
This means that the company could host some kind of live stream to inform fans of their plans at any time.
Sony are also rumoured to be hosting some kind of event this year to announce their next console, something that will be huge news to their fans and industry rivals.
And recent news this week confirms how while Sony remains the market leader, others are still very much in the game.
It was recently estimated that Microsoft had sold just over 40 million Xbox One and Xbox One Xs this generation.
Lagging behind Sony significantly, who recently announced 91 million PlayStation 4 consoles had been sold at the start of 2019.
But other data highlights just how well the Xbox market and ecosystem is performing for the company.
Microsoft’s games revenue increased 8% during the three-month period ending December 31.
This wasn’t created through console sales though but instead was sourced from software and services.
This means stuff like third-party titles, as well as Xbox Live and the Xbox Game Pass, which saw large increases in revenue.
Good news for Microsoft and the Xbox One (Image: MICROSOFT)
It was revealed that Microsoft earned $4.23 billion in revenue and did even though consoles sales were down.
That says something to the strength and tenacity Microsoft has brought to their gaming business since the launch of the Xbox One.
So the part of the Xbox games business that will move onto the next console – which could have an increased market share – is also one of the most successful.
Sony is rumoured to be working on a new console that will launch in 2020 and will be announced later this year.
This will reportedly include a system that will launch with an upgraded PlayStation VR headset and come with an assortment of exclusive launch titles.
These are rumoured to include The Last of Us Part 2, although all of these details remain rumours at this time.
Sony has not provided much on what they have planned for the next-gen of gaming, only that they will be hosting their own events in 2019.
It suggests a very interesting 12 months are coming our way when it comes to Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft Xbox One.