Five years after the launch of the PlayStation 5, Sony has begun to speak more openly, though still cautiously, about the future of its flagship platform.
Recent statements from Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino mark a turning point. This isn’t just an acknowledgment that a new console is being developed, but a strategic positioning amid a changing market and an industry in transition.
While Nishino’s words are carefully chosen, they leave little room for doubt: the next generation of PlayStation is already underway.
And although there’s no official confirmation of the name PS6, the language and context strongly suggest that the development process has been in motion for some time logical, considering that the PS5 began its development immediately after the PS4 launched in 2013.
Nishino defended the continued relevance of hardware despite the rise of cloud gaming. “We’ve been in the cloud for more than 11 years,” he stated, highlighting that PlayStation Plus Premium and the PlayStation Portal are just examples of how Sony has integrated the cloud into its ecosystem. But at the same time, he made it clear that the company does not believe the future of gaming is fully digital or completely dependent on connectivity.
“We believe most players still want a local experience, without relying on network conditions,” Nishino said. In other words, Sony is not ready, at least not yet, to abandon the traditional model of a physical, powerful, TV connected console.
This distinction is important because it highlights the major difference between Sony and Microsoft. While Xbox appears to be moving toward a service focused, cloud based platform, PlayStation continues to emphasize the console as the core of its ecosystem. This doesn’t mean Sony dismisses cloud gaming, but it makes clear that its strategy favors the traditional gamer.
What’s more interesting is that Sony is now referring to the “future of the platform” as a priority. Nishino was direct: “We are committed to exploring a new and improved way for players to engage with our content and services.” This suggests that the PS6 won’t simply be a more powerful PS5, but might introduce significant changes in how games are accessed and experienced.
Could it be a hybrid console? The possibility isn’t far-fetched. The continued success of the Nintendo Switch, along with Microsoft’s shift toward portable devices, suggests that Sony might want to compete in that space.
The PlayStation Portal, which enables remote play of PS5 games, has already been seen by many as a first step in that direction.
Another important detail: AMD reportedly secured the contract to develop the next console’s chip, taking over from Intel in 2022. This not only confirms that PS6 has been in development for some time, but also points to Sony having a well-advanced roadmap.
Yet not everyone in the PlayStation universe agrees with all potential directions. Former Sony Worldwide Studios CEO Shawn Layden has been openly critical of the idea of a fully digital PS6.
According to Layden, removing physical discs would alienate a large portion of PlayStation’s global market, particularly in areas with weak connectivity. “Sony can’t afford to do that right now,” he said, noting that Xbox has found more success with that strategy due to its stronger presence in countries like the US, UK, and Australia.
Layden emphasized the importance of considering all regions, including rural and less-connected areas where physical media remains dominant. His words serve as a subtle warning to current executives: PlayStation is the market leader in over 170 countries, not just those with cutting-edge internet infrastructure.
This leaves Sony at a crossroads. On one hand, it must innovate to stay competitive in a market leaning toward services and cloud gaming. On the other, it needs to preserve its vast base of traditional players many of whom still prefer physical games.
If we follow the previous pattern PS4 in 2013, PS5 in 2020, then PS6 could be expected around 2027. But what will truly define it won’t be its technical specs alone, but the direction Sony chooses in terms of format, design, connectivity, and user engagement. And at this point, many puzzle pieces are still missing.
One of those pieces is competition. While Sony plans its next big leap, Microsoft is already exploring Xbox handheld devices, which could completely shift the market. If Xbox delivers a solid hybrid experience portable yet cloud-connected Sony will have to respond with more than just a “better PS5.”
For now, one thing is certain: Sony is not ready to give up its throne without a fight. PS6 is on the way, and although its final form remains a mystery, it’s clear that the console physical, powerful, local is still at the heart of PlayStation’s strategy.
The market, the players, and infrastructure realities will ultimately determine whether Sony can maintain this bet—or if it will have to yield to the inevitable: a future where the cloud isn’t an option, but the only path forward.