In a recent investor interview, Hideaki Nishino, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, offered a glimpse into what may lie ahead for the PlayStation platform. While details were limited, Nishino discussed the company’s approach to the next generation of consoles, including the possibility of a PlayStation 6, and whether cloud gaming could eventually take center stage.
Sony has been in the cloud gaming space for over a decade, starting with the PS3 and continuing through the PS4 and now PS5. Although the company is pleased with its progress, Nishino emphasized that long-term growth in cloud gaming depends on having a sustainable business model — something that, in his words, “is not entirely within our control.”
He also noted that most gamers still prefer to play locally rather than over the cloud, and pointed to the success of the PS5 and PS5 Pro as proof of that preference. “These consoles validate the idea that players continue to value performance and responsiveness that local hardware delivers,” he said.
Another topic Nishino addressed was the multi-generational ecosystem across PlayStation platforms. Even as the PS5 approaches its five-year mark, a significant number of users remain active on PlayStation 4. “We continue to see high engagement across both generations, and there’s strong interest in how we plan to move forward,” Nishino added.
While he didn’t confirm details about the next console, Nishino assured investors that the future of the PlayStation platform remains a top priority. The company is focused on “exploring new and better ways for players to connect with our content and services.”
Rumors Surrounding PlayStation 6 Point to 2028 Launch and Continued AMD Partnership
While Sony has yet to officially unveil details about its next-generation console, rumors and industry leaks around the PlayStation 6 continue to surface.
In 2024, a report by Reuters revealed that AMD will remain Sony’s exclusive hardware supplier for the PlayStation 6, following a long-standing rivalry with Intel. The report also hinted at the development of a new portable PlayStation device, designed to run PS5 titles but with scaled-down performance.
As for the potential release window, most speculation points to 2028. Former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, commented that the next console may be years away due to the lasting impact of the global component shortage caused by the pandemic.
“The PS5 generation slowed down due to manufacturing issues,” Yoshida explained. “2028 seems realistic. Companies, including Sony, made large investments and had to reassess timelines. When you account for the COVID years, there’s been a soft extension in the typical console cycle.”
“PS5 generation has slowed because of manufacturing problems. 2028 looks right to me. Companies have invested a lot, including ourselves. So we had to face reality and make adjustments. If you take into consideration Covid’s years, you will have a gentle growth of a few years here,” said Yoshida.
