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Sony Shifts PS5 Strategy to Monetize Users as DRAM Costs Climb

The company outlines a plan to protect hardware margins by leaning on recurring revenue from its large PlayStation audience.

Overview

  • Sony CFO Lin Tao said the company has secured the minimum DRAM needed for next fiscal year’s holiday sales period.
  • Sony aims to limit near‑term PS5 hardware price increases by prioritizing revenue from software and network services across its existing user base.
  • PlayStation’s scale supports the shift, with a 92.2 million PS5 installed base, 97.2 million quarterly software units sold, 76% of sales via digital download, and 132 million monthly PSN users.
  • Coverage notes that tactics could include changes to PlayStation Plus pricing or new premium tiers, though Sony has not announced specific measures.
  • Reporting ties the memory squeeze to AI‑driven demand, with analysts suggesting potential delays for next‑gen consoles such as a PS6 window as late as 2028–2029 and intermittent supply for other devices.