Fortune-telling or dumb talker?
How many of my predictions will come true?
- All of them! The Phil, he checks that17%
- Not a single one. This hairy hippie still has zero plan9%
- More than half50%
- Less than half24%
The competition has ended.
Philstradamus strikes again: these are my game predictions for 2020
8.1.2020
Translation: machine translated
Want to know what the next twelve months have in store for gamers? Then you've come to the right place. Because, as you know, my annual predictions are always 100 per cent accurate.
Whether it's new consoles, game announcements or other events from the gaming industry, I'll tell you what's in store for game fans in 2020. I divide my predictions into three categories, depending on how crazy or conservative they are.
Difficulty level predictions: I'm too young to die
PS5 will not be unveiled at E3
Sony will continue to stay away from E3 and officially unveil the PS5 at its own event. I'm guessing sometime in the spring. This time, not only the controller will be shown, as was the case with the PS4, but the whole package including the console.
Over 30 launch games for PS5 and Xbox
There were exactly 23 games available for both the PS4 and the Xbox One at launch. I reckon there will be over 30 titles this time. Including at least ten that are exclusive to the new consoles. The majority, however, will be made up of games that are already available and have been upgraded for the new consoles.
Switch Pro
We already have the Lite version. I therefore maintain that a more powerful Switch Pro will come onto the market this year. It will also be able to display games in 1080p for portable use and deliver more graphical details.
Project xCloud officially launches at the console launch
Microsoft's cloud gaming service is currently still in beta. At the launch of the new console, xCloud will be given a new name and lose its beta tag.
Playstation Now now offers first-party games at launch
Currently, you can primarily play older games with Sony's game streaming service Playstation Now. This will change in 2020. From then on, Sony will also offer all games from its own studios for direct streaming at launch.
Forecast difficulty level: Hurt me plenty
PS5 and Xbox Series X with several models for 400 to 500 dollars
I maintain that both Sony and Microsoft will offer multiple console variants at launch. The PS5 will be available in three versions. One with 500 GB of storage, one with 1 TB and one with 2 TB, which will be priced at $400, $450 and $500 respectively.
The Xbox will be available in two versions that differ in terms of performance. The classic version, which can play games locally at full performance, and a light version, which primarily streams games from the cloud and is therefore cheaper. In terms of price, I'm guessing between 400 and 500 dollars.
Stadia switches to Netflix model
Google will feel compelled by the increasing competition to adapt its own streaming offering. Instead of games at a fixed price, there will be an additional subscription model that will include a games flat rate. Cost point: 15 dollars per month.
No "Assassin's Creed" 2020
Although it was planned, I don't think a new "Assassin's Creed" will be released this year. Ubisoft will first revise and release the postponed "Watch Dogs Legion" before the next history and assassination adventure begins.
Sega Dreamcast Mini
Simply because it would look damn cute, I predict that the Dreamcast will also get a mini version.
"Elder Scrolls 6"
Bethesda presents the next "Elder Scrolls". The first gameplay can be seen at E3. However, the release date will be 2021 at the earliest.
New "Wario Land"
Nintendo gives Wario a new platform game. The misunderstood villain with the bulbous nose goes on another diamond hunt to buy his way to world domination.
Forecast difficulty level: Nightmare
"Anthem" takes on "No Man Sky"
"Anthem" will rise from the ashes and experience a transformation like "No Man Sky". "Anthem 2.0" will be a free update for all buyers and will bring extensive changes that will significantly enhance opinions of the game.
PS VR 2 goes wireless
Sony shows the Playstation VR 2 at its own event. The VR glasses will be wireless and will arrive in 2021.
"Horizon Zero Dawn 2" is a launch game
The sequel to "Horizon Zero Dawn" will be a launch game for the PS5. This means that there will be a real hit to play at launch and not just the usual launch titles that are only played because there is nothing else.
Steam streaming service
Valve will also introduce a streaming service in 2020. Initially as a beta and of course not with all games. All Valve games will be available, as well as several hundred third-party titles.
AMD delivers the fastest graphics card for gamers
AMD will manage to outdo Nvidia this year. The RX-5900 series will be faster than Nvidia's current line-up - at least until Nvidia catches up. But for a short time, AMD will be able to lead the pack.
"FIFA" becomes a live service game
There will be two "FIFA" versions in future. One at a fixed price, which will not receive any player updates, and a new online version. The latter will cost a monthly fee and provide you with player transfers and kit updates for years to come.
What do you think of my predictions? Is it all fairy tales or am I the new game prophet? If you have any predictions of your own, post them in the comments.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
