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| PS5 console shown with two controllers |
For gamers eagerly awaiting the next generation of console wars, a note of caution: the rumored PlayStation 6 release date might be slipping. According to a leading industry analyst, a combination of high component costs and the enduring strength of the PS5 could lead Sony to delay its next major system launch.
Analyst Points to Financial Flexibility for Delay
The insight comes from David Gibson, a well-respected voice who provides global investors with deep analysis of Japan's gaming sector. In a recent, paywalled Japanese-language article for Sandstone Insights, Gibson outlined his predictions, suggesting Sony has little incentive to rush the PS6 to market.
His reasoning hinges on a continued robust financial performance from the current generation. Gibson's report indicates that Sony is poised to exceed expectations for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, with the PlayStation division being a major driver. He projects sales of 1.8 trillion yen and an operating profit of 160 billion yen, a picture of health that gives Sony ample confidence to prolong the PS5's lifecycle.
PS5 Momentum Defies "Slowdown" Narrative
This strength appears to be ongoing. While some evidence suggested console sales had cooled in recent months, Gibson notes that PS5 sales likely saw a significant boost from holiday discounts offered between October and December. This is backed by Circana’s December U.S. retail data, which showed hardware adoption remained steady.
Furthermore, despite common complaints about gaps in first-party exclusive titles, the analyst forecasts excellent software sales for the period. This all paints a picture of an ecosystem that is far from stagnant, reducing the immediate pressure for a reset.
You can read Gibson's detailed financial breakdown in his original analysis here: Sony Group（6758）－ゲーム部門の好調が第3四半期を牽引、今後さらなる上昇余地あり.
The Manufacturing Cost Hurdle
Beyond simple business strategy, a more concrete obstacle stands in the way: the cost of building the console itself. Soaring prices for storage and memory are threatening the production budgets of existing and upcoming systems across the industry, including devices like the rumored Steam Machine.
While Sony reportedly has a reserve of components to continue PS5 production, its successor is a different story. The PS6 is expected to demand cutting-edge hardware, such as at least 32GB of next-generation GDDR7 VRAM, which could be prohibitively expensive at current market rates.
This has led to mixed opinions on the timeline for the next generation. Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson has previously leaked that both Microsoft and Sony have internally discussed potential postponements. Conversely, other sources like the channel Moore’s Law Is Dead believe companies might simply wait for memory costs to moderate before finalizing plans.
The Consumer Challenge: Is an Upgrade Worth It?
The economic climate adds another layer of complexity. Convincing players to upgrade to a new, premium console may be more challenging than in previous cycles. The Xbox Series X and PS5 are already selling for higher than their original 2020 launch prices in many markets. With a potential PS6 price tag that could be even more imposing, some gamers fear the system might not offer enough immediate, tangible value to justify the investment.
All signs point to a cautious Sony. Even if the company has already decided on preliminary PS6 specs—which are rumored to include an AMD "Orion" APU and support for RDNA 5 graphics architecture—a significant delay could lead to revisions. For now, the message from analysts is clear: with the PS5 still printing money and the cost of the future uncertain, don't hold your breath for an imminent PS6 announcement.
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| Machine-translated David Gibson highlights on possible PS6 release date delay |