8:52 a.m. ET update: Shortly after a job ad circulated suggesting a PS5 release date, a Sony spokesperson told Famitsu that the date was posted in error. Details are as follows.

Sony may release PS5 a month earlier than expected.

Resetera user "Much" (via GamesRadar) found a job posting on the Japanese job search site Rikunabi NEXT, which stated that he was "aiming for the best PlayStation QCD for users worldwide" or "helping people purchase trial versions of hardware products They are looking for someone to help PlayStation "to achieve the best QCD for users around the world" or "to support the purchase of trial versions of hardware products. The important part is this: "To create a PlayStation 5 that will be available in October 2020," which seems to be a release date that Sony itself has not yet announced.

Previous console generations have been released in November, as it falls in the middle of the busiest shopping season of the year. An October release is unexpected, especially since everyone was prepared for news of a delay due to production problems related to the coronavirus. However, if gamers around the world are not eager to get out at the end of the year, it may make sense for Sony to move up the release date.

However, this date may apply only to Japan. In past years, the release dates of game consoles have varied from country to country and continent to continent. It is also possible that this date is strictly provisional to explain the role that PlayStation's personnel department would like to adopt, as Sony itself has yet to make an announcement.

Shortly after this possible PS5 release date began to be discussed, a Sony Interactive Entertainment spokesperson told Famitsu that the timeframe for the job posting was a mistake. This does not rule out the possibility of the PS5 appearing in or near October, but it is clear that Sony is not ready to announce a release date just yet.

While there are no rumors that Microsoft's new console will debut in October, we expect the PS5 to launch around the same time as the Xbox Series X. Both consoles will feature custom SSD storage for faster game loads and graphics that support ray tracing, but the Xbox will offer more computing power and the PS5 will feature a new DualSense controller that specializes in 3D audio and haptics.