As the PlayStation 5 approaches its fifth anniversary this November, Sony has shared insights into its future with the PlayStation brand. During a recent business presentation, CEO Hideaki Nishino addressed questions about the necessity of a next-generation PlayStation 6 (PS6) amid advancements in cloud gaming.
Nishino acknowledged that while cloud gaming is improving technically, issues such as network stability remain outside Sony’s control. He emphasized that although cloud services offer gamers broader access to content, most PlayStation users still prefer to play games executed locally on physical hardware, either via discs or downloaded content.
“Cloud gaming is increasingly providing an additional option for players to access content, but our belief is that the majority of players continue to want to play and experience gaming through local execution without dependency on network conditions,” said Nishino. “PS5 and PS5 Pro have validated this thesis, I believe.”
Regarding the PS6, Nishino remained discreet, noting the console business’s evolution into a multi-platform ecosystem supporting both PS4 and PS5 generations. While he highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance player engagement with content and services, no specific details about the next console were revealed.
Industry insiders suggest that the PS6 release may be several years away, possibly around 2028, aligning with typical console lifecycles of about seven years. Despite a report that Intel had pushed to supply chips for the PS6, Sony decided to continue its partnership with AMD. In the meantime, Sony launched a mid-generation upgrade—the PS5 Pro—to refresh the current lineup.