Sony PlayStation 6 Hype Grows on 124M Foundation

Sony Interactive Entertainment previously presented PlayStation user data during its May 2024 business segment meeting, revealing approximately 49 million monthly active users each for PS4 and PS5. Consequently, this data demonstrates an equal split between the two console generations at that time. Furthermore, the company provided an updated presentation with revised slides during its annual meeting this year. As the combined monthly active users have grown significantly to 124 million, compared to last year’s 97 million, will this growth have an impact on the rumored PlayStation 6?

Sony PS5 Overtakes PS4, Ecosystem Surges
Sony’s updated slides also clearly show that the PlayStation 5 commands a larger share of active users than the PlayStation 4, although SIE no longer displays exact numerical breakdowns. With the total monthly active user figure across both platforms reaching 124 million, it marked a substantial increase of 27 million users year-over-year. Ultimately, this growth essentially underscores the expanding PlayStation ecosystem overall.

According to SIE president and CEO Hideaki Nishino, the PlayStation 5 represents the optimal platform for experiencing Sony’s content, driving continuous growth in its player base. Furthermore, Nishino emphasized that the PS5 is more popular among players as they spend significantly more on content and services compared to prior generations. However, he also stated that the PS4 is still a vital access point for existing players, committing Sony to ongoing support for that platform.

Sony’s Dual-Console Strategy Proves Successful

Given this dual-platform strategy, focusing on next-generation engagement while maintaining a large legacy user base may prove successful. When Hideaki Nishino discussed the forthcoming PlayStation 6, he observed that Sony’s console business has evolved into a multi-faceted platform. Specifically, Nishino noted that a substantial portion of active users still utilize PlayStation 4 hardware. Therefore, the continued relevance of the previous generation alongside the expansion of the current and future ecosystems is further acknowledged with this approach.

The SIE president also explained that PlayStation now has a large ecosystem of highly engaged players across both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 generations, and confirmed enormous interest exists in Sony’s next-generation console strategy. Furthermore, he stated that the company is committed to exploring new and enhanced engagement methods for content and services. However, he declined to share specific information about future hardware at this time.

Still, only time will tell if the PlayStation 5’s growth trajectory ultimately fulfills Nishino’s prior prediction about overtaking the PlayStation 4’s active users. While representing near-equal active user figures for PS4 and PS5 last year, Nishino projected PS5 would soon surpass its predecessor. What’s more, this forecast is implicitly validated by his current statements, reflecting PS5’s established dominance within the expanded 124-million-user ecosystem. Therefore, Sony’s platform strategy, balancing current-generation momentum with future innovation planning, should remain the focus.

Sony’s PlayStation Legacy Fuels Next-Gen Vision

On Tuesday, June 17, Sony announced the addition of multiple new titles to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium. Following the official PlayStation Blog’s monthly update, PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members were told they’d receive new games. What’s more, the company also shared several major releases within this monthly refresh, which substantially expand the available library for subscribers across both tiers.

During Sony Group’s business segment presentation, Nishino acknowledged significant existing interest surrounding PlayStation 6. Consequently, he confirmed the next console remains a top priority despite understandable limitations on sharing future plans. Furthermore, the company has observed sustained high engagement from PlayStation 4 players well beyond the PlayStation 5 launch, which was intended to disrupt the traditional console life cycle approach. Moreover, Sony’s current multi-generational strategy was fundamentally validated by this shift, further confirming its effectiveness compared to the sharper transition seen from PS3 to PS4.

That said, maintaining robust support for legacy hardware like the PS4 is highly important to become a permanent fixture in the company’s platform strategy. According to Sony Interactive Entertainment SVP Lynn Azar, the company’s exploration of the future platform vision establishes a large ecosystem spanning PS5 and PS4 generations, which has already reduced traditional cyclicality. While driving this multi-generational ecosystem forward, the company is developing new methods for players to access the platform and experience content and services.