Sony Confirms PlayStation 6 is a Top Priority

Image: SIE president and CEO Hideaki Nishino, PS5

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has confirmed that the development of PlayStation 6 is one of its top priorities.

In a recent investor meeting, SIE president and CEO Hideaki Nishino addressed the growing interest in cloud gaming and whether it might eventually overtake traditional consoles.

Nishino acknowledged that cloud streaming has been developing “well from a technical standpoint,” but emphasized that challenges like network stability and higher operational costs remain key concerns. He explained that local hardware still offers players a more consistent and cost-efficient gaming experience. “Our belief is that the majority of players continue to want to experience gaming through local execution without dependency on network conditions,” Nishino stated during the meeting (via VGC).

Sony has reportedly contracted AMD once again to develop the PlayStation 6's processor, ensuring compatibility with previous generations. This could mean native support for PS4 and PS5 games right out of the box, continuing Sony’s push for backward compatibility. However, there’s still no confirmation about native PS3 support, which remains a frequently requested feature among long-time PlayStation fans.

Though Nishino stopped short of revealing technical specs or a solid release timeline, previous legal documents submitted during Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition case suggest the PlayStation 6 might not launch until 2028.

Sony’s SVP of finance and corporate development, Lynn Azar, also weighed in on the company’s broader platform strategy. She pointed out that Sony’s ecosystem now spans across generations, and the company is no longer as financially dependent on the traditional console cycle. Instead, recurring revenue from digital services like PlayStation Plus and microtransactions forms a stable base, which could help smooth out the financial impact of launching a new console.

Azar emphasized that both PS4 and PS5 continue to generate revenue and player engagement. “By providing players with increasing options to access the platform, we’re able to better serve different play styles and monetization profiles,” she said. Looking ahead, Sony aims to strengthen its "multi-generational ecosystem" and offer "new ways" to experience its services.

In short, Sony is clearly planning for the long term. While cloud gaming may evolve further, traditional consoles like the PlayStation 6 remain central to the company’s vision.