Reports indicate that Sony is considering delaying the launch of its next-generation console, the PlayStation 6 (PS6), to 2028 or later.

According to a Bloomberg report on the 16th, citing insiders, the delay of the PS6 is being seriously discussed. The reason is the ongoing memory shortage. Companies building artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, such as Alphabet and OpenAI, are securing massive amounts of memory chip production, leaving insufficient supply for consumer electronics like consoles and personal computers (PCs).

Sony's current-generation console, the PS5, was released in 2020. Considering the 6-7 year release cycles of the PS2 (2000), PS3 (2006), and PS4 (2013), it was expected that the PS6 would launch late this year or next year. In fact, the PS5 is entering its twilight years as a home console; it shipped 8 million units during the last holiday season, marking a 15.7% decrease in sales compared to the same period the previous year.

Extending the release cycle carries the risk of weakening the console's competitiveness and loosening the connection with existing users. However, analysts suggest that due to the difficulty of securing millions of memory units and the challenge of maintaining an affordable price point, Sony may delay the launch until the supply issue is resolved.

Meanwhile, Lin Tao, Sony's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), explained during the earnings call in February, "While PS5 hardware sales have declined somewhat as we enter the latter half of the console cycle, software revenue from the PlayStation Store reached an all-time high for the quarter, driven by major third-party franchises and new hit titles."