The worldwide component shortages caused by the AI industry have led many to believe that Sony’s and Microsoft’s next-generation consoles – the PS6 and Project Helix, respectively – might be priced at $1,000 on launch. In a new report, Ampere Analysis (via VGC) has predicted that this will lead to a major drop in console adoption when the next-gen hardware comes out.
In its analysis, Ampere has predicted that the combined number of PS6 and Project Helix consoles sold in their first five years might end up being up to 38 percent lower than what we saw with the current generation. This, according to the firm, would also have a knock-on effect on general consumer spending on console games and services, leading to around 12 percent ($3.4 billion) less in spending than if the consoles were more attractively priced.
Ampere went on to suggest three potential strategies that could help Sony and Microsoft mitigate these issues. The first suggestion is a simple one – simply delay the release of next-generation console hardware and instead release an incremental upgrade in the meantime to appease customers. The second suggestion is to stick to the rumored 2028 launch windows for both consoles and rely on heavy subsidies in the hopes that the component supply eventually stabilizes enough for prices to come back down. This would involve the companies relying on “heavier hardware subsidies, new monetisation models, more aggressive digital content strategies and optimised sales channels”.
The third suggestion is the most unique one. Ampere’s report runs under the assumption that, much like the generation bumps since 2000, Sony and Microsoft would once more focus on incrementally raising the raw horsepower of their consoles. The firm has noted that, if either of the companies were to achieve some major tangible innovations in their consoles’ hardware rather than simply focusing on higher fidelity visuals and faster frame rates, it would allow Sony and Microsoft to opt for less expensive, lower-powered hardware, and in turn, attract a larger audience.
This third strategy was similar to what Nintendo achieved with the release of the Wii back in 2006. While the PS3 and Xbox 360 were more powerful than the PS2 and Xbox, respectively, the Wii had roughly the same horsepower as the GameCube, but managed to set itself apart from its contemporaries with its emphasis on motion controls. At the time, the strategy turned out to be a massive hit, and even now, the Wii is considered to be one of the best-selling home consoles of all time, behind only the PS2, the Switch, the PS4, and the original PlayStation.
Interestingly, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has said that the company still hasn’t decided on a launch date for the PS6. In an interview earlier this week, he spoke about “trade wars” due to component shortages and the weak Japanese Yen, and said, “Considering that importance, we need to take some action. Otherwise, we cannot survive in this landscape.”
In the meantime, Sony has also announced that it will be ending the production of PlayStation discs in January 2028. While the company hasn’t commented on whether this means anything for the PS6, analysts believe that it might.
