Happy birthday to the PlayStation 5

You used to have the ability to rely the variety of years between recreation consoles on one hand.

The unique Sony PlayStation got here out within the UK in September 1995. 5 years later, the PS2 was launched and introduced with it vital adjustments.

It was an analogous story for different consoles however, of late, issues appear to have slowed down – which could clarify why, because the PS5 hits its fifth anniversary, a possible PS6 is nowhere in sight.

In keeping with PlayStation’s enterprise boss, Eric Lempel, that is as a result of there’s loads of life within the previous canine but.

“I’d say we’re actually hitting our stride now,” he instructed BBC Information.

Given there stays “a number of nice content material” the corporate is “simply going to proceed with PS5” he defined.

Mr Lempel oversaw the launch of the console, which was tormented by provide chain points upon its launch because of a world chip scarcity.

The provision issues have been resolved after three years, and the console has gone on to promote greater than 84 million models worldwide.

And, because it turns 5, he stated the title which might grow to be the PS5’s greatest vendor hadn’t even been launched but.

“I am not gonna inform you which one, however I believe it is nonetheless to return,” he stated.

There are many high-profile video games within the works.

Marvel’s Wolverine, made by the identical staff behind the profitable Spider-Man sequence, is ready for a 2026 launch – whereas Intergalactic, the upcoming recreation from Uncharted and The Final of Us developer Naughty Canine, is in growth.

Trade knowledgeable Christopher Dring stated Naughty Canine’s schedule went some solution to clarify why consoles have been lasting longer – as a result of it takes extra time to make video games for them than it used to.

“In the course of the PS3 technology, Naughty Canine launched 4 video games,” he stated.

“In the course of the PS4 technology, that dropped to a few video games – thus far through the PS5 technology, it is not launched one.

“Video games are taking a lot longer to make that, in some circumstances, their growth schedules are longer than it takes new {hardware} to return out.”

And he stated this story was repeated “throughout the business”, with Grand Theft Auto 6 – which will probably be on each PlayStation and Xbox – recently delayed to November 2026.

But when the massive hitters are coming extra slowly, Mr Dring stated, one other issue may additionally clarify the longevity of a console just like the PS5 – avid gamers are extra keen to strive new issues.

“We’re seeing on common persons are taking part in 50% extra video games than they did final technology, and so they’re actually branching out to several types of video games,” he stated.

“They will play the hits, however they will additionally play smaller video games or distinctive video games that they’ve by no means heard of earlier than.”

One of many causes the agency could not rush to unveil new {hardware} is the PS5 stays forward of its rivals, outselling Microsoft’s Collection X and S consoles – at the least within the dwelling console area.

The identical cannot be stated in terms of handhelds although.

The Nintendo Change – a handheld console which connects to a TV to play video games on a giant display – is the third-best promoting console in historical past.

Its sequel the Change 2, which launched in June 2025, has already offered 10 million models in its first few months.

It is not a combat PlayStation is giving up although.

“We’re all the time about new innovation within the class,” Mr Lempel stated.

The success of Nintendo’s {hardware} maybe impressed Sony to launch the PlayStation Portal, an adjunct which helps you to stream from a PS5 you already personal.

Mr Lempel stated Portal was “performing rather well” and although he didn’t reveal precise gross sales figures, he stated it had “exceeded our expectations”.

“It has been a really profitable product for us,” he stated.

Mr Dring stated he believed there was one other distinction in the best way video games have been being launched now which could contribute to the size of time between {hardware} releases.

“A few of the greatest video games at the moment are nonetheless playable on PS4, and for the primary three years it was comparatively uncommon to see any PS5-only releases,” he stated.

“The video games dominating essentially the most performed charts are titles like Fortnite, Roblox and Name of Obligation: Warzone… video games which are, in some circumstances, over 10 years previous and are playable on a lot older gadgets.

“So it is likely to be we’re going to get a brand new console in 2027 – however the chances are many of the video games that will probably be launching alongside that system will probably be absolutely playable on current {hardware}, too.”