This is veering off a little into branding/design as opposed to release/specs..
But while I'm 99% certain the next PlayStation will simply be "PS5", I really do wonder what the next Xbox will be called? It seems they've really painted themselves into a corner with their naming schemes.
"Two" doesn't make much sense as One alluded more to the idea of one platform as opposed to the iteration of console.
The logical next step would be "XBOX 4", "XBOX IV" or "XBOX FOUR"...but that's 1 less than the 5 of what will almost certainly be "PS5"; and I believe that part of their motivation with the 360 would have been to not have an "XBOX 2" vs a "PLAYSTATION 3".
Unless they go for a really good subtitle that is forward thinking in terms of S and X iterations as well as a streaming SKU and further generations, then I believe the smartest move would be to cheat a little and regard the X as the fourth Xbox console (just this once) and go straight for a 5.
However, a "5" would likely not sit well with the "XBOX" letters in a logo, but would sit well with likely X and S iterations; if you can look past the parallel with iPhone 5S. Repeat branding isn't a great practice..
"XBOX FIVE" could be very nice if a parallel between the four letters of each could be found in the main logos. Though "XBOX FIVE X", "XBOX FIVE S" and "XBOX FIVE [STREAMING SKU]" are all starting to sound a little long-winded in terms of the written word.
"XBOX V" would likely be the most visually pleasing in terms of a logo as the V sits nicely with the XBOX lettering. Though again, those potential X and S iterations would likely look a bit wonky next to the V, with the X in particular looking like backwards Roman numerals.. "XBOX VX/VS" anyone? :S
It's a shame the "360", "720", "1080"... approach didn't pan out, but the parallel with resolutions would have been a bit on the nose, especially with each one effectively being a generation behind. "720" in a primarily 1080p generation, "1080/1440" in a primarily 4K generation etc. Plus, once you get to the "1440/2160"s it all gets a bit messy and long-winded again.
Anywho, on a somewhat related and slightly shameless note, here's
my barebones PS5 logo mockup..
Click for more variations..
It's basically a PS3/4 logo with a 5 rebuilt from the other characters, a tilt, some minor spacing adjustment and some slight tweaks to the corners/edges, plus the existing "PS" and a similar "PlayStation®5" added for added legitimacy (they really don't meed changing and really work well when cohabiting the same space as other Sony/PlayStation branding). It's an ultimately lazy design but for the sake of coherency and recognition, less really is more here. Also, I'm often really averse to Italics but it just gels really well here imo.
The great advantage Sony has in terms of the nomenclature is that "PS [insert number here]" works great not just in terms of visual branding but when referenced both officially and unofficially in writing, print and the spoken word (it really rolls off the tongue). No other brand has such a universally recognised shorthand.
Anywho, perhaps I'll have a look at the Xbox V/FIVE/5/4 etc. branding some time and do some mockups to see what gels there..
