Will 720 or PS4 launch first?

Personally I see PS4 launching first as their dev kit schedule seems to be the best indicator of a 2013 release.  The final versions are going out next Summer and that aligns with WiiU this year.  They mentioned very casually at E3 that they had games in development like everyone knew it already (I didn't).  I know some believe it will launch in Japan in 2013 and early 2014 elsewhere and I just can't see that happening.  If Sony has the console ready in 2013 they will give it to the US first and give it an extra holiday to build an install base.

I want to go with the option for them releasing around the same time because neither company wants Nintendo and the other company (Sony/Micro.) to have another holiday to take in those sales before them. But(!) I doubt they would want to release right around the same time since the competition would be very, very high.

I think both Sony and Microsoft want to release their 8th gen consoles before Christmas 2013, but I have a feeling one of them will miss that deadline.

And I think it's Sony.

If I had to guess, the next Xbox will launch Q4 2013 and PS4 will launch Q1/Q2 2014.

likely the same tie. Sony needs a global same day launch to stay competitive instead of play catch up. Sony mite could hold off on a JP release till 2014 but not a western launch.

I'm pretty sure Sony and Microsoft didn't even think about the next gen until Nintendo announced the Wii U

If we go by various rumors the 720 should launch this year and the PS4 next year. Even so I don't think this will be the case, Sony will try to push the release to this year (if they can do it) they definitely don't want to give Nintendo a 2 year lead and MS 1 year, so I think both consoles will launch at pretty much the same time, maybe a couple of months between both.

I don't know it takes awhile to formulate a console it's not like they can just throw these things together even it's made with mostly off the shelf parts.

I think Microsoft will be the first to be available in the big markets, but Sony will launch their console soon after.

And I'm mostly sure that both will launch their next console this year at least in one region. If they have no problems, Microsoft could even do a worldwide launch given that they won't have to ship many units to Japan, meanwhile Sony could go with a staggered launch like Nintendo.

Hope PS4 is out next year

I'm thinking both will play the waiting game and see what the other company does. Then when either one announced a launch window, the other will make sure they launch around the same time, possibly rushing their launch not to get left behind.