Fans who were hoping to see Sony unveil the next Playstation at this year's E3 trade expo are leaving disappointed. The firm's quashed rumors of an imminent refresh at one of video gaming's biggest events - though it dropped a few hints of when the PS5 could turn up. CGTN's Phil Lavelle reports from Los Angeles.  

Let's hope they're not lining up to see the next Playstation. They'll be in for a shock. No chance at E3 this year.

MATT CABRAL VIDEO GAME REPORTER "Sony's fans are very passionate, they're eagerly awaiting that new system."

And some really hoped. Now, Sony quashing those rumors leaving many here wondering:

PHIL LAVELLE LOS ANGELES "Where is the Playstation 5!"

PHIL: "Does Sony not understand that gamers have a serious amount of gaming to be getting on with!"

MATT CABRAL VIDEO GAME REPORTER "They do have a lot of gaming to be getting on with but there's a lot of gaming that can still be done on the PS4. It's got a lot of life left in it. There's a lot to hold gamers over between now and when the PS5 comes out."

No official word from Sony - but a few hints. The Wall Street Journal tweeting this from the PlayStation team's boss - that the PS4 is "entering the final phase of its lifecycle." Translation: It's on its way out, but it would be a long departure.  Its replacement not expected. For about three years, March 20-21.

PHIL LAVELLE LOS ANGELES "2013 was when the PS4 came out." MATT: "Yes."

PHIL LAVELLE LOS ANGELES "2021 is when we're likely to see the PS5. In tech terms, that's a LONG time. How does it even stay relevant?"

MATT CABRAL VIDEO GAME REPORTER "It is a long time but Sony, what they do is keep their really passionate fans happy. They did release in 2016 the PS4 Pro, which was sort of an upgrade on that last system so they did an iterative upgrade on the PS4 with a more powerful system for the fans who really wanted something new and wanted invest something extra for the absolute best version of the Playstation."

PHIL LAVELLE LOS ANGELES "And Sony may also be planning a more dramatic shift. Taking away the concept of a traditional games console. And replacing it with something inspired by another big company."

JASON FANELLI VIDEO GAME REPORTER "Ubisoft's CEO came out recently and said that he thinks there will be one more cycle before streaming games become the future kinda like how Netflix streams movies. I need to see that in action first - maybe that's what the next-gen console will be incorporating that, where they don't sell you games anymore, you don't download games anymore you can play and stream as you would a TV show."

PHIL: "Could this work?"

MATT CABRAL VIDEO GAME REPORTER "It could help new technology in terms of games consoles. Obviously, that's the way it's going in terms of movies etc. With games, people are a little hesitant to embrace that, we'll have to see what happens but in a few years, I think it's something that might be possible."

PHIL LAVELLE LOS ANGELES "And so, no huge surprise for Sony fans this year. Game over Not for the PS4 - at least, not for a few more years. Phil Lavelle, CGTN, at E3 in Los Angeles."