PlayStation CEO Don’t See Consoles Disappearing Anytime Soon; PS5 Likely to Last Through Next-Gen Similar to PS4

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While cloud technology is getting better and better each year, will it reach a point that it will replace traditional gaming consoles? Sony’s PlayStation boss doesn’t think that’s happening anytime soon.

In an interview about PlayStation’s 30th anniversary with Japanese publication Famitsu, Hideaki Nishino, Sony Interactive Entertaniment (SIE) Platform Business Group CEO, was asked a few things about the future of the brand. One of these questions is about the next generation of PlayStation and how it might not be based on hardware but on the cloud. Continuing with that thought, Nishino was also asked if Sony has plans to continue developing a home video game console or if they think there will be a major structural shift.

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PlayStation CEO Believes Gaming Consoles Won’t Be Going Away Anytime Soon

Nishino states (translated by DeepL), “As of today, many PS4 games are being played, and the number of PS5 games is increasing rapidly. It is unlikely that this will suddenly change tomorrow, so there is no doubt that home video game consoles will remain at the center of our business for some time.”

Continuing with the thought, Nishino adds, “However, we are also seeing an increase in the number of PCs and other different styles, so we are in the process of thinking about how to increase the number of PlayStation users overall, including those on the PSN. Some people may misunderstand me when I say this, but if you have cloud gaming on PS Portal and PS5 games running, some people may think that we have already entered the era of cloud gaming. However, you still need a controller and a screen in your hand, and we believe that hardware will not disappear just yet.”

Speaking of the next-generation of the PlayStation console, Nishino was also quizzed about how the lifecycle of gaming hardware is getting longer compared to past generations, with the PS4 a perfect example of this. Nishino notes that while he believes the PS5 will have a long lifecycle, it won’t affect the timing of the next iteration of the console, which we presume will be called the PS6.

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PlayStation Boss Doesn’t Think the PS5 Will Affect the Release Timing of the PS6

Nishino says, “We believe that PS5 will have a long lifecycle, just like PS4. However, I don’t think it is right to delay the timing of the launch of the next product that incorporates new technology because of the long time it will take. The timing for the launch of new hardware is related to the time frame in which technology evolves and the time frame in which we are able to implement that technology. Therefore, I think it is important to offer new products while people play the ones that are currently being used, and to expand the total number of games we offer.”

When pressed whether this meant that gamers will be able to use the PS5 while also using new hardware, Nishino answered, ” For example, PS4 has been in the process of automated production, and the quality of the hardware is high. That is why it can be used for a long time. Of course, PS5 will be produced automatically from the beginning. From now on, we would like to expand our business by combining the longevity of long-lasting products with new technologies.”

Referencing how the PS4 Pro has been in development for four years already, the interviewer implied that the next-gen version of the PlayStation console is already in the works, to which Nishino replied, “We believe that products should be offered in a balance of technology, price, and timing. We are always considering when we will hit the spot we think we will hit.”

There is no doubt in my mind that Sony is already hard at work on the PS6. I mean, it’s standard practice even back then that companies develop the next iteration of their hardware the moment the retail version is completed.

In cloud gaming, massive steps have been taken in the last few years, but we’re far from seeing it become the norm. Not to mention that you’ll need to always be tied to a stable internet connection, and I agree with Hishino that dedicated gaming consoles won’t be going away anytime soon.

Do you agree with both of Hishino’s statements or is he just saying that because it’s to protect his vested interests?

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