Xbox One vs PS4 Release Date News: False Dates Released, So When Will Consoles Launch?

Those looking forward to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One got a brief glimmer of hope for an official release date for both consoles, as a report from BT Games (which has since been discredited) claimed to have the dates for both console's release dates in the UK from a Toys R Us, leading many gamers to question exactly when the consoles will hit the shelves.

The report claimed that the representative from the retail chain told the site that the Xbox One would be released November 29, with the PlayStation 4 following on December 13.  Originally the source claimed that these dates were provided by both Sony and Microsoft, but a Toys R Us representative has sent a new statement regarding the release date announcement:

"Please accept my sincerest apologies for the incorrect information you were given yesterday regarding the Xbox One and Playstation 4 Console official release dates. The release dates are not provided by either Microsoft or Sony, but are an estimated date and are required by our system to allow us to take pre-orders. Once the correct launch dates are officially provided we will update our web site and contact any customers who have ordered."

This is not the first time that a placeholder date for the consoles has sparked the interest of gamers. Amazon.com accidently sent an email to those who preordered the Xbox One that claimed the console would be available on November 27, which was quickly rescinded.

While both Microsoft and Sony have not yet claimed a definite release date for their consoles, they will both get the opportunity to at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany August 21-25. Sony and Microsoft will both be at the event and it will provide a fantastic chance for the companies to get release dates set for the consoles, leaving several months to get production ramped up and get fans ready for the launch. Unless one or both companies plan to hold separate one-off events designed to announce the release date for the consoles along with any other information, Gamescom represents the best time to announce to the public when the next-gen consoles will be available.

It is hard to gauge when exactly the consoles will be launched, but the last two months of the year seem to be the best bet for the release dates, as the Xbox One is confirmed for November. Microsoft may try to make the console available for purchase on Black Friday to take advantage of the biggest shopping days of the year. The PlayStation 4 is more of a wildcard, as the console could show up before the Xbox One to steal some thunder from Microsoft, or they can wait until December to stake out their own release month for the PlayStation 4.