Happy birthday to the PlayStation 5

You used to have the ability to depend 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 modifications.

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

Given there stays “quite a lot 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 on account of a worldwide chip scarcity.

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

And, because it turns 5, he mentioned the title which might turn out to be the PS5’s largest vendor hadn’t even been launched but.

“I am not gonna let you know which one, however I believe it is nonetheless to return,” he mentioned.

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

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

Business skilled Christopher Dring mentioned Naughty Canine’s schedule went some option to clarify why consoles had been lasting longer – as a result of it takes extra time to make video games for them than it used to.

“Throughout the PS3 era, Naughty Canine launched 4 video games,” he mentioned.

“Throughout the PS4 era, that dropped to 3 video games – to date in the course of the PS5 era, 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 mentioned this story was repeated “throughout the trade”, with Grand Theft Auto 6 – which will likely be on each PlayStation and Xbox – recently delayed to November 2026.

But when the massive hitters are coming extra slowly, Mr Dring mentioned, 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 enjoying 50% extra video games than they did final era, and so they’re actually branching out to several types of video games,” he mentioned.

“They will play the hits, however they’re going to 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 might not rush to unveil new {hardware} is the PS5 stays forward of its rivals, outselling Microsoft’s Collection X and S consoles – not less than within the residence console house.

The identical cannot be mentioned on the subject of handhelds although.

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

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

It isn’t a battle PlayStation is giving up although.

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

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 mentioned Portal was “performing very well” and although he didn’t reveal actual gross sales figures, he mentioned it had “exceeded our expectations”.

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

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

“A number of the largest video games immediately are nonetheless playable on PS4, and for the primary three years it was comparatively uncommon to see any PS5-only releases,” he mentioned.

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

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