The Playstation 4 release date will be on October 21, according to NeoGaf.com, pointing to a one-month head start the next-generation console will have over Microsoft's Xbox One.

"Our internal product release schedule from head office dropped yesterday and on Oct 21st an unnamed Sony console will be launched. Fyi all console revisions like the ps360 slims and Wii Mini were listed as ps360 & wii mini. Previously the wiiu, 3ds and vita were also only listed as Nintendo/Sony Console in the product name column," the source told the site.

"Disclaimer: I just work at a very large retailer, managing the electronics sales force and nothing more. I have nothing to do with purchasing, nation wide merchandising or shipping. I am not trying to play this off as I have connections at Sony, or I am some sort of insider. It's that just yesterday we received a product release schedule from our head office and I thought this is OT itt. These schedules btw, are for internal use only, designed to allow us time to create our instore merch plans. If the launch date for a product is unknown, it's simply marked TBA. The only time a date is ever included is when we have received confirmation of said date from the product company."

August 6 was the deadline Sony placed on pre-orders being guaranteed on the release date. After that date, all pre-orders aren't guaranteed upon the console's release.

Speculation surrounding the next-generation console's official release date has been swaying around an October or November availability date, but others say December might be a more likely release month.

Despite many rumours suggesting Sony's PlayStation 4 console would get a November release, retailer GameStop has put a spanner in the works for all UK gamers hoping to find one sitting beneath their Christmas tree this December, the International Business Times writes.