Sony’s PS6 plans may be getting complicated by AI, GTA 6, and rising hardware costs

Sony’s latest financial report is not exactly bedtime reading, but hidden inside the corporate language are some pretty important signals for PlayStation fans — especially if you’re in Malaysia or SEA and already sweating at console prices.

According to Eurogamer’s chat with Alinea Analytics analyst Rhys Elliot, Sony is entering a tricky late-PS5 phase. The PS5 is still doing well overall, but hardware sales are expected to slow, partly because the AI boom is eating up memory supply and pushing costs around the industry.

PS5 supply could stay tighter than Sony wants

Sony has warned that memory shortages linked to AI demand may affect PS5 hardware sales. Elliot’s take is basically: this is not a disaster, but it matters. The PS5 already has a large install base, so Sony can still make strong money from games, PlayStation Plus, digital sales, and network services.

But if memory costs stay high, Sony may choose not to flood the market with expensive-to-build consoles. In plain gamer language: instead of absorbing the extra cost, Sony could produce fewer PS5 units, reduce aggressive promos, or even raise prices if pressure continues.

For Malaysia, that matters a lot. We already deal with console pricing that feels rough once exchange rates, local availability, and retailer bundles enter the chat. If PS5 supply tightens again, don’t be shocked if discounts become weaker just when big games start arriving.

GTA 6 is the massive wildcard

One game could change the whole equation: GTA 6.

Elliot points out that PlayStation is expected to be the lead marketing platform, and historically Sony has captured a huge share of GTA’s console audience. If GTA 6 still lands in 2026, PS5 demand could beat Sony’s cautious expectations — assuming there are enough consoles to buy.

That is very relevant for SEA. GTA is one of those rare games that cuts across casual players, hardcore console owners, PC café regulars, and your cousin who only buys one game every few years. If GTA 6 becomes the PS5’s late-generation monster, Malaysia could see another console-buying wave.

PS6 timing may not be locked yet

Sony also mentioned investment into its next console generation, but Elliot says CEO Hiroki Totoki has not committed to PS6 timing. That suggests Sony may still be reviewing when to launch and what price makes sense.

A later PS6, possibly around 2028, could actually be smarter if memory prices settle down. Sony already suffered during the PS5 launch because of semiconductor shortages, so rushing into another constrained hardware cycle would be risky.

The knock-on effect? Big first-party games may stay cross-gen longer. Elliot believes studios like Naughty Dog, Insomniac, and Santa Monica are more likely to ship upcoming titles on PS5 too, instead of holding everything for PS6 exclusivity.

Honestly, that’s not bad news for most Malaysian players. A longer PS5 runway means your current console still has value, and you won’t feel forced to upgrade on day one.

Could PlayStation become more subscription-like?

Sony also hinted at possible business model changes for the next generation. Elliot sees two realistic routes.

First: hardware financing, where players pay monthly over two or three years instead of dropping a huge amount upfront. Think Xbox All Access or iPhone instalment plans. If a future PlayStation hits around US$700, that sticker shock would be brutal in RM, so monthly options could make sense — if Sony ever brings that model properly to markets like ours.

Second: multiple hardware tiers at launch. That could mean a premium PS6 plus a cheaper lower-spec model, similar to Xbox Series S. Sony’s rumoured portable device could also fit into a wider two-tier strategy.

Live service, China, and AI are also in the mix

Sony’s live-service push remains messy. Bungie took a $765m impairment loss, Concord flopped badly, and Marathon has not exactly exploded with hype. Elliot sees Helldivers 2 as the better model: the right game, launched smartly, with PC helping the audience grow.

China is another major opportunity. Stellar Blade sold 2.3m copies on Steam, with 45 percent of that audience in China. Elliot argues Sony still has upside there through localisation and regional pricing, especially on PC.

On AI, Sony is moving carefully. Its Bandai Namco partnership includes future technology work, while Sony has already benefited from AI-powered payment routing and uses PSSR upscaling on PS5 Pro. The company is clearly investing, but public messaging will likely stay cautious to avoid backlash.

Bottom line: PlayStation looks healthy, but the next few years are going to be delicate. If GTA 6 hits on time, memory prices calm down, and Sony avoids more live-service disasters, the PS6 transition could be smooth. If all those things go wrong together, then bro, that’s where the headache starts.

Source: Eurogamer