Sony Unveils Vision for Next PlayStation

As the PlayStation 5 approaches its fifth anniversary, Sony executives have started discussing the future of gaming consoles, offering vague responses to questions about whether a next-generation system is already in development.

In an investor-focused interview published on Sony’s corporate website, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO and President Hideaki Nishino was asked directly: With cloud gaming becoming increasingly viable, is a next-generation console even necessary? Is Sony Interactive Entertainment working on one?

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Nishino began by explaining why dedicated gaming hardware remains relevant despite advances in cloud gaming:

“We've been active in cloud gaming for over 11 years. Our cloud services have supported the PS3, PS4, and PS5 generations, and we take pride in the quality we deliver.

“Through PlayStation Plus Premium and our ongoing cloud streaming beta on PlayStation Portal, we are expanding access to games.

“However, the long-term sustainability of cloud gaming depends on a solid business model. While the technology continues to improve, as seen in our current offerings, we cannot always guarantee stable end-to-end network performance.

“Cloud gaming is becoming a valuable supplementary way for players to enjoy content. But we believe most gamers still prefer a locally executed experience, free from reliance on internet conditions. The success of the PS5 and PS5 Pro reinforces this view.”

So Sony remains dedicated to console hardware, at least for the foreseeable future. But is a next-generation console—perhaps the PlayStation 6—already in development?

Nishino responded:

“Our console business has evolved into a multi-faceted platform, supported by a dedicated community of players across both PS5 and PS4. Naturally, there's significant curiosity about our strategy for the next generation.

“Although we can’t share specifics at this time, the evolution of our platform remains a top priority. We are exploring new and improved ways for players to connect with our content and services.”

The takeaway is clear: Yes, Sony is working on a next-generation console—though this should hardly come as a shock. Console manufacturers typically begin planning the next console soon after launching the current one. In fact, development on the PS5 started shortly after the PS4's release in November 2013. Following this pattern, the PS6 may already have been in development for several years.

Nishino’s remarks offer few concrete details, but we can speculate based on recent trends and market shifts. While fans anticipate a traditional, more powerful PS6 home console, Sony may also be exploring a portable hybrid device, similar to Nintendo’s approach. The evolution of the PlayStation Portal hints strongly in that direction.

During the investor interview, Nishino was also asked whether handheld devices are part of Sony’s next-generation vision. However, his response did not offer meaningful insight.

Speculation about a next-generation console has simmered since the current generation launched in November 2020. With the PS5 now past the midpoint of its lifecycle and Microsoft diving into the handheld market with Xbox-branded devices, it’s clear that change is on the horizon. What’s uncertain is exactly what form that change will take when Sony and Microsoft finally reveal their next moves.

In February, former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO Shawn Layden cautioned that Sony cannot afford to release the PS6 as a digital-only, disc-free console. Layden told Kiwi Talkz that although Xbox has found success with a similar strategy, PlayStation’s global market share means eliminating physical and offline games would alienate too many players.

“I don’t believe Sony can take that step now,” Layden said. “Xbox has had more success with this approach, but its strongest markets are concentrated in a handful of English-speaking regions like the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

“Sony, as the leading platform in roughly 170 countries worldwide, has a responsibility to consider: If we eliminate physical media, how many of our users would be left behind? Can someone in rural Italy rely on a strong enough connection to enjoy digital-only gaming?”

In September of last year, reports indicated that Intel lost the PS6 chip contract to AMD back in 2022. The PS4 launched in November 2013, followed by the PS7 years later in November 2020. If this timeline holds, the PS6 could arrive in November 2027. One potential PS6 launch title is Physint, Hideo Kojima’s eagerly awaited return to the action-espionage genre. Additionally, The Witcher 4 isn’t expected until 2027 at the earliest, making it another likely next-generation release.