Sony’s chief executive says the company no longer needs to push new PS5 sales at any cost. Its strategy is increasingly centered on retaining and monetizing PlayStation’s 125 million monthly active users.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Hiroki Totoki explained that Sony is in a more favorable position during the second half of the PS5 lifecycle than it would be at the launch of an entirely new generation. More than 95 million PS5 consoles have already been sold, while the wider PlayStation ecosystem now reaches 125 million active users each month.
Hardware sales are therefore no longer the company’s only engine for growth. Digital games, PlayStation Plus, accessories and other services can generate substantial revenue from the existing audience over a much longer period.
The shift is particularly important because of memory shortages and rising component costs. Both issues may influence the design and price of PlayStation 6, while Sony has yet to lock in the final launch schedule for its next-generation console.
Market analysts have warned that a system priced near $1,000 could sharply reduce demand. Totoki’s remarks suggest Sony has little reason to rush PS6 as long as PS5 and its surrounding services continue to deliver stable income.
Source: 3DJuegos
