Sony is still on track to release its next-gen console, better known as the PS5, sometime in Q4 2020. This means that the current pandemic will not push the PS4 successor past its original release window. Additionally, Epic Games has partnered up with Sony to reveal the next step in Unreal Engine’s evolution via a PS5 test demo, which shows off the new perks of Unreal Engine 5.

Firstly, folks wondering if Sony will be able to release its next-gen device on time now have an answer for that question, and the answer is “yes” according to the blue brand’s outlook for the Fiscal Year ending March 31st, 2021.

Upon hitting up sony.net/SonyInfo/IR, folks will find the following information detailing Sony’s outlook on the forthcoming PS5 device and its release window:

“Regarding the launch of PlayStation®5, although factors such as employees working from home and restrictions on international travel have presented some challenges in regards to part of the testing process and the qualification of production lines, development is progressing with the launch of the console scheduled for the 2020 holiday season. At this point in time major problems have not arisen in the game software development pipeline for Sony’s own first-party studios or its partners’ studios.”

In other words, the blue brand’s investor relations page notes that the PS5 is still slated to launch as scheduled — which is set for this year’s holiday season.

With that said and out of the way, the second thing related to Sony and the PS5 is Epic Games coming forth with its newly posted video, which teases the power of the Unreal Engine 5.

Brian Karis (technical director of graphics) and Jerome Platteaux (special projects art director) offer an in-depth look at “Lumen in the Land of Nanite,” which is a real-time demo running on PS5.

The demo’s purpose is to show gamers, fans, and devs two new core technologies that will debut in Unreal Engine V:

Nanite virtualized micro-polygon geometry – allows artists to create as much geometric detail as the eye can see.
Lumen – adds a fully dynamic global illumination solution that immediately reacts to scene and light changes.

You can check out the new video right here:

Something worth mentioning that is also present in the demo is next-gen features already available in Unreal Engine 4.25. This includes Niagara VFX improvements, Chaos physics (like cloth movement) and destruction (environmental rock/structure destruction), animation system enhancements (like touching walls and body movement), and audio advancements.

Also, Unreal Engine 4.25 includes support for next-gen consoles. Obviously the Unreal Engine 5 will also be compatible with PC and Xbox Series X development, too.

And speaking of next-gen consoles, the PS5 will make its debut late this year.