Sony misses PS5 sales target as console enters ‘latter stage of its life cycle’

It’s so weird that these consoles are in the latter stages of their life. Was it just this generation that was weird or am I just getting old?

It seems that they are not as popular as the Xbox one and ps4 were. Maybe I just checked out of modern gaming.

69

It still doesn't feel like there's been a proper 'next-gen' game yet. There were a lot of cross-gen games that seemed to dampen the feeling of the gen starting. Maybe FFVII Rebirth will change that for me; I dunno.

52
- I think that's because the current gen is just "last gen, but more powerful". Nothing really got innovated this time around, and the architectures for the current platforms are almost identical to the last ones (which is part of the reason cross-gen has been so popular with developers, as it's very easy to implement).
  
  I do feel that catering to cross-gen is creating a situation where a lot of games just aren't taking advantage of the capabilities of the current gen properly, in order to maintain parity with the "weaker" versions of the same titles.
  
  29
- It's the cross gen fade. So, ps5 had lots of great games, but half or more also came out on the ps4 as it dragged out past its expiry, and this was intentional because ps4 has a much larger install base than ps5 had for the forst 2-3 years, so it made sense to do that. The second half of the ps5's life should yield better looking games that won't be ported to ps4, and eventually games that will land also on ps6 in a few years. The lines between generations are blurry now.
  
  9
- I dunno, after playing the opening sequence of Spider-Man 2 I thought “oh there’s no way they could do this on a PS4”. The graphics are just insane. Gameplay? Sure, nothing spectacularly out of range of the previous gen. But that came out late last year so it definitely feels like we’re just starting to get there.
  
  9
- Just my thought.
  
  A new version or #6 will not change this. Cross-gen for the sake of making money takes away exclusivity.
  
  Nintendo took his chance by betting on mobile.
  
  A lot of remakes and no risk for new ideas. The market is feed up and also mobile smartphone casual gaming takes its toll.
  
  They would better save the money for a new hardware and try to bring some fresh ideas.
  
  Just my 5c
  
  6
- I agree. Maybe it’s because all the games can play with lower graphical settings on older PCs. My desktop was mid-tier in Xbox one days, and has about the same performance as a steam deck. I don’t think there are any games I can’t play.
  
  2
I know what you mean and I think it’s because it had a rocky start. This generation of consoles was plagued by availability issues due to the chip shortage which made the transition period from the ps4 to ps5 a drawn out affair.

19
- That’s kinda what I’m thinking too.
  
  It’s going to be weird seeing them introduce next gen stuff at some point. Already my steam deck is like a high end Xbox one and I’m happy with graphics and performance. I can’t imagine seeing any noticeable changes in graphics in the ps6.
  
  6
Probably because of the chip shortage at the beginning of the cycle making the consoles unavailable to buy.

9
- And price
  
  2
You're old. The generations just keep getting older faster, and that trend won't stop until you do

8
- They're not getting older faster. You're older, so time feels faster now.
  
  Also, the scarcity of current gen consoles for the first couple years kinda made it seem like the current generation only barely started since most people only barely got their current-gen hardware in the last year or so, but keep in mind we're currently in the 4th year of the 9th gen at this point. This gen started in 2020. We're past the halfway point for most generations by now.
  
  14
I just missed this gen entirely, and with the exception of the Switch’s successor, I don’t think I’m going to be buying another console for a very long time.

I used to be a dedicated console gamer… I had an NES growing up, then a Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast. Picked up a Game Cube somewhere along the way. Then I had the Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, WiiU, and finally the XBOne and Switch. I’ve had PCs mixed in there from time to time, but most gaming was done in the living room on console.

Then the Series X/S and PS5 come around… there were the massive supply issues, and everything was moving to 4K and I didn’t have 4K, and none of it seemed worth the upgrade. At this point my laptop was a dinosaur from 2011 and needed to be replaced anyway. So I built a desktop PC, which gets gamed on alongside my Switch, and my XBOne has been gathering dust.

7
- At this point the only console I’d consider is a Nintendo console, but I’m actually thinking about skipping it this time around. Or at least waiting until there are a bunch of games for it.
  
  Usually nintendo consoles get emulated pretty quickly, so maybe I’ll skip it altogether this time. But I guess let’s see what they release with it.
  
  1
Seems like not many exclusives really released. And it just being a few sequels and remasters as opposed to new IPs makes it feel like the console gen isn't even mid way by past standards.

7
I think the fact that games (seemed to?) always released on both current and previous gen made that one kind of weird, at the same time with consoles becoming more and more like PCs (same architecture means it's easier to adjust settings and make games work on two gens), it's not surprising...

2

I feel like the PS5 just came out. Damn, the last few years just disappeared. Just kidding, it's only been out for 2 years. I don't see something can be at the end of its life when it's barely even came out.

32

It's 3 years and 3 months. Not 2 years. And given the mediocre performance it already had when it was released I wouldn't be surprised if it will have a pretty short life cycle

-13
- 3 years is nothing. It takes 5 years at least to make a game.
  
  9
- Apologies for some reason I'm a couple years behind.
  
  2

Latter stage, lol

We hardly have any true PS5 games; this generation is pathetic

I'm not buying a PS6 until halfway through its lifetime, and only on sale as well.

28

Let's assume you still were using a PS4, as I don't think there's anything yet to only be on the 5, halfway through the PS6 lifecycle, you could get a PS5 and have 90% of the quality, 100% of the games, and 25% of the price of a PS6.

2
- These are all made up numbers 😂
  
  9
I got the PS4 Pro when it came out. There were so many PS4 games at that point that I hadn't played. All so cheap too. I got the PS5 as I figured there would be so many great games coming to the console. Honestly, the only game that's PS5 exclusive is the Astro's Playground.

2
- There's also Demon's Souls (which is a remake), Destruction All-Stars, and Spider-Man 2 (which will be on PC eventually). Yeah, not much!
  
  1

Latter-stage of its life cycle? It feels like it just came out. I haven't even bought a next-gen console yet. I know that there are mid-gen refreshes supposedly in the works, but sometimes it feels like both Sony and Microsoft are just kind of checking out of this generation

19

Latter stage of life cycle and it still only has 5 exclusives? The fuck are you doing, Sony?

18

I still haven't seen a must play game on the ps5 or series x, especially not one that won't come to pc. Closest so far is spiderman 2, but I'll wait for the PC release.

16

That’s why I am buying only Nintendo consoles (and good PCs)

2
- That's where I am these days.
  
  1
- I don't even know if you need a good PC anymore, a steam deck and a Nintendo will do fine
  
  1

I'd honestly be pretty upset if Sony decides to ditch PS5 right when the system is starting to hit it's stride now. I've already been playing more PC/Steam Deck compared to my PS5 and Switch.

16

Why would you be upset?

The Console Failing should mean less exclusives. More software.

1
I've literally gotten to the point where I'm low on ps4 games and finally decided it's time for ps5. They better price drop it or I'm gonna skip it altogether if this is the latter half

1
- Just buy a PC? The games are hella cheaper.
  
  You can even use your PS4 controller just like you're used to.
  
  1

When looking at the generational shifts between console gens. The PlayStation 5 didn't fix any problems the industry was having. Especially when you compare the jump in quality between PS2/Xbox and PS3/360, where rendering individual fingers didn't bring the games performance to a halt. Or the PS3/360 to the PS4/Xbone, where the consoles were given a usable amount of RAM that the devs needed from 256/512 respectively to 8GB on both.

But other than a slight performance boost and the new GPU buzzword "Ray Tracing" slapped on these systems. They cost more than the older systems did, and don't offer any new experience which the previous gen systems do.

15

I gotta say, the SSD makes a huge difference. Makes me wonder how much of my life was wasted staring at loading screens.

10
- You can install an SSD in a PS4 you know. Plus its not like Sony Couldn't add a NVMe slot on a PS4 Pro.
  
  0
The system doesn't do anything new or special, but the controllers do. Adaptive Triggers are rad. Maybe not $80 controller rad. And especially not $500 console rad. But nobody else has that yet.

5
I've been the person to buy a console when there's the killer game/feature worth upgrading for.

Historically I've bought the bundles with a few games just in time for the new launch of a new software.

I ended up with a PS2/GameCube/Wii, a PS3/Xbox360/WiiU and PS4/Xbox One/Switch. I don't mind buying consoles to play a few games.

That moment just hasn't happened this generation. I can still play most of the big exclusives on the last gen hardware anyways.

4
- I avoided the PS4 for years until I was able to justify buying either it or the Xbone. When the Xbones only claim to fame (for me) was the Rare Replay collection and Sunset Overdrive, and the PS4 was Infamous Second Son and Uncharted 4 I waited. Eventually I was able to justify the PS4 with the addition Persona 5, Wipeout Omega Collection, Horizon Zero Dawn, Spiderman, and a way to play Ubisoft games without ~~giving my PC Cancer~~ Ubisoft Connect/UPlay.
  
  But unlike the PS3 I don't like using it. It's more of a convenient means to play games cheaply since every game was about $10 by the time I bought into it. Even then I probably could justify to myself to upgrade to a PS5 by using my PS4 as collateral.
  
  2
The Dualsense haptics and adaptive triggers are the best thing about it IMO

2

they getting ready to sell a ps5 pro, thats what this means

11

I just bought one…only because my PS4 died (OG white, RIP). There was nothing on PS5 that ever came out that said “you have to buy this!” I got the original PS4 to play Persona 5 and Final Fantasy XV. I just never was inspired by the design (and I am a sucker for modern design!!!) nor the catalog. I am sure I am not alone.

11

It is kind of nice that it's set up in a way that makes third party side panels trivial.

2
FFXV – I have an idea what killed that PS4. Mine sounded like a jet taking off while playing that. I had to use headphones.

1

Line must go up!

10

The PS5 IMO is maybe the ugliest recent gen game consoles anybody's released. Thing looks fucking atrocious and it's huge. I'm pretty casual and don't give a lot of shits about bleeding edge whatever and literally it was the way this thing looks that swayed me away from buying one a couple years ago.

9

The design does look like it's from one of those 'this is what the PS4 will look like in 2010' videos you'd see on YouTube in 2008 next to the Xbox 720 and Nintendo WiiDS. Should've also given the controller 4 analogue sticks to really sell it.

15
- Yeah the console itself really does have big 4-analog-stick energy
  
  5
- That's a good way to explain it. "retrofuturism" but from 2008.
  
  4

Couldn't find one when it came out. Covid happened, lost my job. Struggled financially. Finally getting back on my feet. Riding cost of living and inflation eating all my spare cash. Cant afford one now. Sigh. If only they were available at release I would have got one.

8

Steam has won me over. Cheap games and free online play. And now amazing Linux support.

8

„Free“ online play is kind of a marketing gag. I have heard that consoles seem to want money for online play which is ridicolous. If the server is run on the users pc/console, there is literally no reason for taking money for online capability.

And yes, linux support is pretty awesome. Also steam link!

1

Still rockin' a PS3. I feel ancient.

7

i would get a ps3 but they cant play ps2 games. and the fucking xbox can play ps2 games lol

2
- Some original Fat models can run them through either emulation or with actual onboard PS2 hardware. They're getting pretty pricy now and they're not super reliable but those models do exist. Beware the Yellow Light of Death.
  
  1

No surprise. It looks like shit, is massive, costs too much, barely has any (generation) exclusives, and didn’t seem to offer an obviously better experience than PS4 apart from load times. You couldn’t buy one for ages, due to supply issues and scalpers (so many scalpers), but when I finally managed to get one in an online shopping basket I thought about it for a few seconds and realised I didn’t want one anyway.

7

Pc might be more expensive but long term its a better investment. You might need to spend 1200$ or more of your budget allows but it will last longer and you can do more. I guess if you really casually play games a console is good though.

5
- What I like about console is the same as why a lot of people like apple: it just works. I have a PC for games that are not on console (eg flight simulator in VR), but for gaming, I just want to be on my couch and turn on the game. No drivers need updating (though game updates are annoying, I can usually delay them, and I can't mess them up), no "whoops now the sound doesn't work because I updated something for another game".
  
  5

It's three years old and the performance is fine. Shut up and collect your royalties on the blue-box versions of everyone else's games.

5

Personal feelings agead: not based in facts.

Can we really say a "next generation" console is "in its latter stages of life cycle" when people like me have yet to buy a "next generation" console, and have bought every new game for said console?

I'm not denying it's got better specs. People always jump all over that, tripping over themselves to "um ackshyully" about how it really is superior in every way making it a "next generation" but come on.... If I can get the same or similar experience on "last generation" then is there really enough difference to call it a different generation?

Take my sister in law vs my me vs my wife. We are all millenials.

But SIL is start of the millenials, my wife is tail of the millenials, and I'm sitting around the 3/4 mark. We all had differing experiences growing up based on the years we were on our formative years, but we're all "the same generation"

My wife's best friend is a generation below us, but they have far more in common and should really be considered the same generation, IMO.

I hope I get my point across clear enough for someone to figure it out...

It just doesn't really feel "next generation" to me.

4

I'm curious how many people stayed on PS+ after that insane price hike with no benefit for the consumer. I canceled mine mid-way through the news article lol

4

Been on PS+ for 7 years and canceled it immediately when I saw the price hike. Also, not going to buy consoles anymore since they've gone to shit.

4

It's going to be 4 years old this year in an industry that until recently had 5 year life cycles, it makes sense it's slowing down.

The PS3/Xbox 360 generation was artificially extended by the 2008 financial crisis (2005 - 2013).

It really looks like the PS5/XSX generation is going to be shortened by Covid.

3

This is the best summary I could come up with:

Sony now expects to sell 4 million fewer PS5 consoles in its 2023 fiscal year ending March 31st compared to previous projections, Bloomberg reports.

In its third quarter, Sony’s gaming revenue was up 16 percent versus the same period the previous year, sitting at 1.4 trillion yen (around $9.3 billion), but operating income was down 26 percent to 86.1 billion yen (around $572 million) due to promotions in the third quarter ending on December 31st.

According to Sony, the company plans to emphasize profitability over unit sales as the console approaches its fourth birthday.

“Looking ahead, PS5 will enter the latter stage of its life cycle,” said Sony senior vice president Naomi Matsuoka in comments reported by Bloomberg.

For this reason, we expect the annual sales pace of PS5 hardware will start falling from the next fiscal year.” Sony added it has no plans to release “any new major existing franchise titles” in its next fiscal year.

Later this year, Microsoft is expected to release a refreshed Xbox Series S and a disc-less Xbox Series X codenamed Brooklin with double the amount of storage as its existing model, while Nintendo is also expected to release a follow-up to its seven year-old Switch console.

The original article contains 346 words, the summary contains 202 words. Saved 42%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

3

Most consoles have had a life span of 6 - 7 years. PS5 is just over 3 years. Talk about the PS6 all you want but if it releases before 2027 I’m waiting.

1

I just bought a PS5 because I've never had a PlayStation. It's great that it's basically a PS4 as well, but they're really failing to get new customers.

1