Analyst expects new PlayStation, Xbox consoles no later than 2020

Always one to drum up interesting conversation, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes the next console-generation could begin as early as 2019, and no later than 2020.

"I would be surprised if we had a next-gen console in 2018; we might have one in 2019," the analyst predcited during the latest edition Pachter Factor (via PSU). "We will have one by 2020, so I think seven years [for the current generation] is a lock. So, it will last longer than five years."

Some of you may recall a previous quote from Pachter claiming this to be the "last real console cycle" and that traditional consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are "going away." Well, if that's the case than how could we have another generation? As previously explained, Pachter believes consoles games won't require a traditional console, but instead a simple CPU/GPU in your house that's connected to your television (think of an iPhone or a Fire TV box from Amazon).

Speaking of television, Pachter believes the next console generation will arrive when 4K TVs are more widely accepted.

"So, once everybody has a 4K T.V. I think that's when you get a console cycle where you actually make things that are in 4K,” he added.

Sony recently announced that PS4 sales have surpassed 35.9 million, with new reports claim Xbox One sales have reached 18 million. For many this may seem entirely way too soon to start thinking about a new Xbox or PlayStation, but just remember that the PlayStation 4 was conceived in 2008, just two years after the launch of the PlayStation 3.

Do you think 2019 is too soon for a new generation of gaming consoles or are you on board with the 6-8 year lifespan?