Sony Reports PS5 Sales Fall Short of PS4 Milestones in Recent Fiscal Year

Sony Announces Fiscal Year Financial Results: PS5 Sales Lag Behind PS4

In its latest financial report, Sony revealed that it sold approximately 2.8 million PlayStation 5 consoles during the past fiscal year, bringing the total number of PS5 units sold since its launch in November 2020 to around 18.5 million. This figure marks a slight decrease compared to the previous year’s sales, which reached 20.8 million units.

Comparing PS5 and PS4 Sales Performance

Since its debut, the PlayStation 5 has sold roughly 77.8 million units, just 1.2 million fewer than the same period in the lifecycle of the PlayStation 4. Despite the impressive numbers, the PS5’s sales are somewhat underwhelming considering the challenges faced during its rollout.

Factors Influencing PS5 Sales

The slower sales pace can largely be attributed to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted manufacturing and distribution. Additionally, when the PS4 launched, it was significantly more affordable, with a retail price of about $200 five years after its release. In contrast, the PS5’s current price hovers around $450, reflecting increased manufacturing costs and high demand.

Challenges and Market Conditions

Sony faces ongoing economic hurdles, particularly related to production in China, where tariffs imposed by the United States—amounting to 30%—add to the costs. These factors collectively hinder the console’s availability and affordability in the global market.

Historical Sales Milestones

The PlayStation 4 has achieved remarkable success, with total sales reaching approximately 117 million units. It ranks as the second best-selling console in Sony’s history after the PlayStation 2, which sold an impressive 160 million units worldwide.

Growth in Sony’s Gaming and Network Revenue

Meanwhile, Sony’s earnings from gaming and online services saw a 9% increase over the previous year, totaling around $2.74 billion. The PlayStation Network experienced a 5% growth in monthly active users, reaching a record high of 124 million. Moreover, digital game sales now constitute 76% of total game revenue, up by 6% year-over-year.

Upcoming Console Generations and Industry Rumors

Recent reports suggest that the launch of the next-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles may occur sooner than expected. One intriguing hint involves news about a canceled game set in the “Blade Runner” universe, which may point to upcoming developments in the gaming industry.

Alex "Pixel" Petrov

Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.