Sony's PS5 Upgrade Push: Facing User Backlash, Sales Gaps, and Future Uncertainties
Sony is currently messaging PlayStation 4 owners, encouraging them to upgrade to a PlayStation 5 console. This practice has elicited negative feedback from some users.
"Sony is currently messaging PlayStation 4 owners, encouraging them to upgrade to a PlayStation 5 console, a practice that has elicited negative feedback from some users."
PS5 Sales Performance Trailing PS4
The PlayStation 5, which launched in 2020, has sold over 84.2 million units globally to date. While this figure surpasses that of the Xbox Series X/S, it is 2.1 million units behind the PlayStation 4's sales performance at the equivalent five-year mark in its lifecycle, which stood at 86.3 million units.
Marketing Strategy & Notable Omissions
Sony's messages to PS4 users are delivered directly via the console. These communications include a QR code linking to PS5 deals and highlight upcoming 2025 and 2026 titles. The games promoted for 2025 include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Arc Raiders, and Ghost Of Yōtei. For 2026, titles such as Saros, 007 First Light, and Nioh 3 are featured.
Significantly, these communications do not mention Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), a title widely anticipated to significantly drive PS5 console sales. This marks the second instance of Sony omitting GTA 6 from lists of future game releases, leading to speculation regarding potential delays for the game or a possible dispute between Sony and Rockstar.
The communications do not mention Grand Theft Auto 6, a title widely anticipated to significantly drive PS5 console sales.
User Hesitation and Industry Trends
Over the past years, PS4 users have had fewer compelling reasons to upgrade. Many new games, including Sony exclusives such as Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarök, have continued to launch across both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 platforms.
"Over the past years, PS4 users have had fewer compelling reasons to upgrade, as many new games, including Sony exclusives such as Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarök, have continued to launch across both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 platforms."
Industry reports suggest the current console generation may extend longer than typical cycles, partly due to ongoing memory shortages. This indicates that Sony's current push may be aimed at maintaining current system sales in a challenging market.
"Industry reports suggest the current console generation may extend longer than typical cycles, partly due to ongoing memory shortages, indicating Sony's push may be aimed at maintaining current system sales."
Future Outlook: PS6 and Handheld Priorities
Looking ahead, Sony may face challenges in convincing users to transition to a future PlayStation 6, particularly if the new console's primary advancements are minor graphical enhancements. Reports also suggest the company might prioritize the development of a new rumored handheld device, which would reportedly be compatible with the PlayStation 5, prior to a potential PS6 launch.