Although the next generation of consoles is right around the corner, the high prices of components, and thus gaming hardware, mean anticipation for the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix is at an all-time low. At this point, it's not even certain if the new consoles will indeed launch by the end of 2027, as Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki made some interesting, and somewhat foreboding, statements not only about the PlayStation 6 , but also about how the company's business has to change in these trying times to survive.

In a fresh interview with The Wall Street Journal , Totoki-san did not speak at length about the PlayStation 6 , only mentioning that the system's launch date, and thus price, has yet to be determined . This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone following rumors, as we reported that a decision on the matter will likely only be taken early next year, right before production begins .

What makes the Sony CEO's statement about the PlayStation 6 still not having a release date set interesting are a few others regarding the company's entire business. "Traditional businesses are important. I have great respect for these businesses. But at the same time, we need to change," Totoki-san said about the company's shift from a hardware and electronics business to an entertainment business.

For this reason, the Japanese company is focused on turning its gaming IPs into movies and TV shows, the "flywheel we have to make," according to Totoki-san. The Sony CEO also added that the company is looking for ways to integrate gaming and anime , genres that "have a natural affinity."

This shift, according to Totoki-san, is of central importance. "A CEO's most important task is simply making sure the business survives... Considering that importance, we need to take some action. Otherwise, we cannot survive in this landscape."

While the PlayStation 6 launch date has yet to be decided, there's no doubt the system will eventually launch, considering the investment already made to design the APU. However, these trying times and Hiroki Totoki's statements suggest that hardware may no longer be central to the company's gaming business , which will be more focused on growing its IP.

As such, besides seeing more TV shows and movies, it's safe to expect one of the longest cross-generation periods ever , as Sony will want to leverage the massive PlayStation 5 player base to sustain the gaming business until component prices normalize again. This approach will likely make it even more difficult for the company to push players to upgrade, something that was already deemed difficult a while back by some developers, such as Alderon Games founder Matthew Cassels.

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