When will PS6 come out?
Many PlayStation players will tell you that the PS5 generation feels like it’s barely gotten started, but we’re nearly six years in; traditionally, the next console should be on the horizon.
Apparently, though, it might not be as close as you’d expect.
According to the Wall Street Journal (paywalled), Sony’s CEO, Hiroki Totoki, has said a release date for PS6 has yet to be set in stone.
Those who follow the games industry will know that console generations typically run for around six or seven years before their successor arrives. Expecting this pattern to continue, it’s been broadly accepted that PS6 will turn up in late 2027.
However, it seems this may not be the case after all, if Sony is still unsure exactly when to launch the next generation machine.
There could be a number of things playing into this. Perhaps most obviously is Sony’s controversial decision to stop making game discs for PlayStation hardware starting in 2028; will the company wait until after this cut-off to release the new console?
Another factor that makes the PS6’s situation unique is the shortage, and massively inflated price, of certain hardware components, thanks to generative AI. If actually building the consoles themselves is not doable at a reasonable cost, Sony could theoretically choose to hold off until the situation improves.
As pointed out by Digital Trends, Sony is also not the same business it was when it launched the PS5.
Under Totoki, the Japanese company has shifted away from hardware like televisions and cameras, instead focusing more closely on entertainment and intellectual property. With the company making the majority of its money from games, films, and music, it may be under less pressure to push out a PS6.
This also isn’t the first we’ve heard of a potential delayed launch for the next console. A report from Embracer hinted as such, and some analysts expect a 2028 launch at this point.
It’s impossible to know how it’s all gonna shake out, but if Sony doesn’t yet know when PS6 is launching, that to me suggests it could arrive later than we think.
[source wsj.com, via digitaltrends.com]
Stephen has been part of the Push Square team for over six years, bringing boundless enthusiasm and a deep knowledge of video games to his role as Assistant Editor. Having grown up playing every PlayStation console to date, he’s developed an eclectic taste, with particular passion for indie games, arcade racers, and puzzlers. He’s also our go-to guy for Sonic-related matters, much to his delight/chagrin.
