Between promises for the future and legacy issues
Sony dares to look ahead – and finds itself on familiar ground. With the PlayStation 6, the company plans to usher in a new generation of consoles by 2028 at the latest. But the focus is not only on more technology, but above all on a carefully considered balancing act: innovation and familiarity are to go hand in hand.
The newSony CEO Hideaki Nishinohas now spoken openly about the strategy for the first time. He made it clear that physical consoles will continue to be at the heart of the gaming experience. The desire among gamers for tangible hardware remains unbroken – and the company wants to take this into account. The next console will therefore not simply be more powerful, but also more interactive.
At the same time, Sony is realistic: althoughcloud gaming is becoming increasingly important,the infrastructure is lagging behind. According to Nishino, unstable connections and high operating costs are obstacles that often make a purely digital gaming experience unreliable.
Instead, local gaming remains the preferred choice for many, especially on PS5 and PS5 Pro, whose success has supported this strategy. However, one challenge remains: Sony still has millions of active PS4 players worldwide who cannot simply be left behind.
The transition to PS6 must therefore be carefully planned, taking into account existing game libraries and user habits.A technical evolution that should feel like a familiar progression.
What’s really behind Sony’s strategy
However, the most exciting insights come from a look at Sony’s future business model – because game sales are no longer the focus. As CFO Lynn Azar emphasizes, the majority of revenue now comes from digital channels: subscription services, in-game purchases, and platform offerings significantly outpace traditional console sales.
This change creates new opportunities: because revenue no longer depends solely on hardware cycles, Sony can plan for the longer term. The PS6 is set to be not only more powerful, but also more flexible – with a platform model that seamlessly links consoles, PCs, and the cloud. Players will be free to choose how and where they consume their content.
Particularly important: The new console is expected to run on AMD technology again and boast full backward compatibility. This means that classics from the PS4 and PS5 eras will also run smoothly on the new platform. A smart move that secures player loyalty and makes the transition easier.
With the PS6, Sony is not pursuing a revolution with a sledgehammer, but rather a cautious rethinking of the tried and tested. The focus is on comfort, technical versatility, and an ecosystem that evolves with the needs of gamers. What is already certain is that the future of gaming remains local – but no longer tied to a specific location.
