Happy birthday to the PlayStation 5

You used to have the ability to rely 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 adjustments.

It was the same 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.

Based on PlayStation’s enterprise boss, Eric Lempel, that is as a result of there’s loads of life within the previous canine but.

“I’d say we’re actually hitting our stride now,” he informed 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 affected by provide chain points upon its launch because of a world chip scarcity.

The availability issues have been resolved after three years, and the console has gone on to promote greater than 84 million models worldwide.

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

“I am not going to let you know which one, however I feel it is nonetheless to come back,” he mentioned.

The actual fact PlayStation is ready to predict blockbusters to come back is partly as a result of the PS5 has not been technologically outdated in the best way consoles of the previous might need been.

“Again within the 80s and 90s, every console introduced large jumps in energy and functionality relative to what got here earlier than,” mentioned Steve Cottam, boss of recreation streaming service Antstream Arcade.

“In the present day, enhancements are nonetheless occurring, however they’re extra technical and fewer instantly placing to the typical participant.”

The actual fact the PS5 is ready to be round for some time but means Sony has loads of high-profile video games within the works.

Marvel’s Wolverine, made by the identical workforce behind the profitable Spider-Man collection, is ready 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 approach to explaining another excuse why consoles have been lasting longer – as a result of it takes extra time to make video games for them than it used to.

“Through the PS3 technology, Naughty Canine launched 4 video games,” he mentioned.

“Through the PS4 technology, that dropped to 3 video games – to date throughout the PS5 technology, it is not launched one.”

He mentioned this story was repeated throughout the trade, with Grand Theft Auto 6 – which can be on each PlayStation and Xbox – recently delayed to November 2026.

Mr Lempel mentioned one other issue which could additionally clarify the longevity of a console just like the PS5 is that players are additionally extra keen to strive new issues.

“We’re seeing on common persons are enjoying 50% extra video games than they did final technology, and so they’re actually branching out to various kinds 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 gamer informed the BBC the hole between console releases won’t be a foul factor for customers.

“I feel it is a good factor they’re not churning out new consoles each couple of years – with a brand new variation right here, a barely slimmer model there, a barely greater display, and so forth,” mentioned content material creator Rachel Howie, generally known as DontRachQuit on Twitch.

“When the jumps in high quality are greater, they really feel extra worthwhile.”

Another excuse for Sony to not rush to unveil new {hardware} is that the PS5 stays forward of its rivals, outselling Microsoft’s Sequence X and S consoles – not less than within the residence console area.

The identical cannot be mentioned in terms of handhelds although.

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

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

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

“We’re at all times 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 rather well” and although he didn’t reveal actual gross sales figures, he mentioned it had “exceeded our expectations”.

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

“Among the largest video games as we speak 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 essentially 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 units.

“So it is likely to be we’re going to get a brand new console in 2027 – however the chances are high that a lot of the video games that can be launching alongside that machine can be absolutely playable on present {hardware}, too.”

Current years have seen PlayStation make the transfer into TV and movie, which Mr Lempel mentioned was having an impression on recreation gross sales too.

“We have additionally discovered that some folks uncover these characters and worlds and need extra,” he mentioned.

“For those who have a look at one thing like The Final of Us, they need to know what occurs.”

He mentioned the upcoming season three of the present was “going to be phenomenal”, with future exhibits based mostly on God of Battle and Ghost of Tsushima within the pipeline.

But when he may choose any PlayStation recreation to show right into a TV programme, there was one clear winner – 2002 racoon crime caper Sly Cooper.

“That is a recreation I really like from Sucker Punch, one other certainly one of our nice builders that has advanced a number of instances through the years and completed quite a lot of nice stuff,” he mentioned.

“However I simply assume that will be a extremely fascinating present… like an Ocean’s 11 kind factor. I feel it might be nice.”