The PS5 has achieved a monumental milestone by shipping 100 million units, Sony announced recently. The news comes just before the anticipated launch of GTA 6, which is expected to give console sales a significant boost. In the past 40 days since its last reported sales figure, PS5 has shipped an additional 2.1 million units. While not all units sold are those purchased by consumers, it's still an impressive feat that puts PS5 on track to surpass the PS4's total of 117 million units (as of June 30, 2022). It has already outperformed both the PS3 and PlayStation Portable, and is closing in on the original PlayStation. However, it's unlikely that it will match the PS2's record-breaking sales of 160 million units.
Sony's gaming business is doing well, with the company raising its full-year forecast for PlayStation following higher net sales and operating income in the second quarter. However, there are challenges on the horizon. The AI-fueled 'RAMpocalypse' has led to price rises, making consoles more expensive and sales drop off. Traditionally, video game consoles get cheaper over time, but this generation has seen the opposite.
While PS5 is currently behind its predecessor in terms of sales, it's worth noting that the market is in a different place for PS5 than it was for the PS4 at the same point in its lifecycle. The main drag on PS5 (and indeed all console sales) is the rise in prices due to the AI-fueled 'RAMpocalypse.'
The future of PlayStation looks promising, with reports indicating that next-gen consoles could cost more than $1,000 at launch. However, achieving the 100 million mark again could prove challenging. The gaming landscape is ever-evolving, and Sony will need to navigate these challenges skillfully to maintain its position as a leading player in the industry.
[Attribution: According to Wesley Yin-Poole, IGN's Managing Editor]