Until Dawn

Rumor: Supermassive Games Next Gen Consoles Expected By 2027

A recent wave of speculation has emerged suggesting that Supermassive Games—known for cinematic horror hits like Until Dawn and The Quarry—is planning for the release of next-generation consoles by 2027. While the studio has not directly confirmed this timeline, comments from studio director Will Byles and the development window of their next standalone horror title (expected in 2025 or 2026) have fueled these rumors. Fans believe the game may be designed to coincide with more powerful hardware, possibly arriving in 2027. However, official documentation from both Sony and Microsoft tells a different story.

Rumor: Next Gen Consoles Expected By 2027 By Supermassive Games

Directive 8020 is one of the most anticipated horror games coming in 2025
Image from Directive 8020 courtesy of Supermassive Games

During legal proceedings related to Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, both companies submitted statements strongly suggesting that the next major hardware cycle isn’t expected before 2028. Specifically, Microsoft stated, “The next generation of consoles are not expected to be released before the fall of 2028 at the very earliest.” Sony’s redacted documents, submitted to the UK’s CMA, supported a similar timeline.

This matches historical patterns: the PlayStation 4 launched in 2013, and the PlayStation 5 followed in 2020. An eight-year gap leading to 2028 for the PlayStation 6 and next-gen Xbox consoles would fall in line with the typical console generation cycle.

Also affecting the negotiations was a concern that Microsoft might push Call of Duty into a more exclusive Xbox platform after 2027, which would reduce the resale opportunity Sony could hope to gain from its next-gen console. Microsoft suggested the latter end by offering a 10-year agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation until at least 2033, and that’s more than a year and a half longer than typically projected for next-generation hardware launches.

Meanwhile, game developers like Supermassive are already preparing for the future. Their current projects are likely being built with scalability in mind, using engines like Unreal Engine 5 that can deliver high-fidelity graphics on current consoles while being optimised for upcoming ones. This allows developers to create content that straddles both generations, ensuring longer shelf life and smoother transitions.

While Supermassive’s timeline has sparked rumours of a 2027 release, industry data and official corporate planning strongly point to 2028 as the more likely debut for next-gen consoles. Until we receive confirmation from Sony or Microsoft, these speculations remain interesting—but unverified.

Final Thought

While the idea of next-gen consoles arriving in 2027 is exciting, especially with studios like Supermassive Games seemingly preparing for the future, it’s important to separate speculation from substantiated industry plans. Official documentation from Sony and Microsoft consistently points to a 2028 release window, aligning with historical hardware cycles and broader strategic decisions. Developers may be gearing up early with scalable game design, but gamers should temper expectations and prepare for a longer wait before the next leap in console gaming arrives.

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