PS5 Hits 95 Million Sold, Sony Shifts Strategy? Now Focusing on Subscription Revenue

Summary

According to The Wall Street Journal, the PlayStation 5 has surpassed 95 million units sold globally. However, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki said in an interview that the company no longer aims to expand hardware shipments at all costs, instead shifting to a more refined user engagement strategy in the latter half of the console lifecycle. Totoki cited rising component costs and instability in the memory chip market as key factors behind the strategic adjustment. But this cost pressure comes at a mature stage for the PS5, so Sony does not need aggressive price cuts or subsidies to drive hardware sales—unlike the early days of the console when market share was the priority. Instead, Sony plans to drive growth through subscription services (PS Plus), digital game sales, in-game purchases, and ecosystem services. Totoki revealed that PlayStation's monthly active users stand at approximately 125 million. This strategic pivot indicates that Sony is moving away from the traditional hardware sales cycle toward a more sustainable and profitable software and services model. For players, this may mean more stable hardware iterations for the PS5, while PS Plus and digital content offerings gain greater value. Industry observers note that this reflects a common trend as console markets mature: when hardware penetration nears its peak, profits shift to deep engagement of the existing user base…