Sony comments on PlayStation hardware pricing as PS6 speculation grows
Sony has commented on PlayStation hardware pricing during a Game & Network Services investor Q&A. The question asked whether the company will continue to prioritize hardware profitability for its next-generation platform.
Hideaki Nishino, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, said hardware remains the base for the PlayStation gaming experience. He pointed to PS Portal as one example of PlayStation hardware built for use beyond the living room.
Pricing and component costs
On pricing, Sony said it is not realistic for the company to absorb all component cost increases. Sony also confirmed that it has already implemented some price increases outside Japan. According to the company, sales are still proceeding as planned, and Sony does not believe those increases have reduced customer demand.
Source: Sony
Nishino said Sony does not intend to sell hardware at “significant losses.” The company says it is still monitoring the market and evaluating its approach. Sony also wants customers to understand the value it provides in relation to pricing.
This comment comes as speculation about possible PlayStation 6 pricing has been covered in recent reports . Sony has not announced a launch window, final specifications, or a target price for its next-generation console though. Well, they definitely added some fuel to these rumors, and let’s not forget the PS5 Pro is already reaching at $900 so it’s reasonable to expect that current PS6 estimate is already higher.
Beyond the living room
Sony also said it wants future PlayStation hardware to support more usage styles. The company noted that PlayStation has traditionally been tied to the living room, but more users now play on personal monitors and other setups.
PlayStation Portal, Source: Sony
This may explain why Sony continues to reference PS Portal, remote play and cloud gaming in its platform strategy. However, the company has not announced a new handheld console or a second next-generation PlayStation device. It is a pretty good hint, though.
Source: Sony Investors Meeting (PDF)
