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TOKYO (Reuters) – Sony of Japan underscored the robust engagement of PlayStation users with its gaming platform on Thursday, as sales of the PlayStation 5 console plateau and industry players seek recurring revenue streams.
Compared to the previous PS4 console lifecycle, PS5 users are spending approximately 25% more, driven by additional content and services such as the PlayStation Plus subscription.
“This user behavior supports the stable and predictable nature of our revenue base,” remarked gaming executive Hideaki Nishino during a strategy briefing.
Sony has restructured its gaming business management in response to investor concerns over its narrow profit margins, appointing Nishino as CEO of the platform business group effective next month.
The conglomerate anticipates PS5 sales to reach 18 million units in the current fiscal year, following a narrowly missed target of 21 million units last year.
The gaming industry is grappling with rising costs associated with developing high-profile titles and sluggish overall growth, prompting companies to downsize and suspend projects.
While Sony’s game lineup for the year is limited, “Helldivers 2”, a live service title launched in February, has garnered over 12 million units in sales, serving as a bright spot.
Herman Hulst, set to become CEO of the studio business group, noted that live service games, offering ongoing updates and gameplay, are simultaneously released on PS5 and PC platforms.
Sony is renowned for its single-player titles; this month, it introduced a PC version of “Ghosts of Tsushima”, originally launched in 2020.
(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Jamie Freed)
