Happy birthday to the PlayStation 5

You used to have the ability to rely the variety of years between sport 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 modifications.

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Based on PlayStation’s enterprise boss, Eric Lempel, that is as a result of there’s loads of life within the outdated canine but.

“I might say we’re actually hitting our stride now,” he informed BBC Information.

Given there stays “numerous nice content material” the corporate is “simply going to proceed with PS5” he defined.

Mr Lempel oversaw the launch of the console, which was stricken by provide chain points upon its launch on account of a worldwide chip scarcity.

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

And, because it turns 5, he stated the title which might develop into the PS5’s greatest 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 stated.

The very fact PlayStation is ready to predict blockbusters to come back is partially as a result of the PS5 has not been technologically outmoded in the way in which 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,” stated Steve Cottam, boss of sport streaming service Antstream Arcade.

“Immediately, enhancements are nonetheless taking place, however they’re extra technical and fewer instantly putting to the common participant.”

The very fact the PS5 is about 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 staff behind the profitable Spider-Man sequence, is about for a 2026 launch – whereas Intergalactic, the upcoming sport from Uncharted and The Final of Us developer Naughty Canine, is in growth.

Trade knowledgeable Christopher Dring stated Naughty Canine’s schedule went some method to explaining one more reason why consoles had been lasting longer – as a result of it takes extra time to make video games for them than it used to.

“Through the PS3 era, Naughty Canine launched 4 video games,” he stated.

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

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

Mr Dring stated one other issue which could additionally clarify the longevity of a console just like the PS5 is that avid gamers are additionally extra prepared to attempt new issues.

“We’re seeing on common individuals are enjoying 50% extra video games than they did final era, and so they’re actually branching out to various kinds of video games,” he stated.

“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 may not be a nasty factor for shoppers.

“I feel it is a good factor they’re now 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 screen, and so forth,” stated content material creator Rachel Howie, often called DontRachQuit on Twitch.

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

One more reason for Sony to not rush to unveil new {hardware} is that the PS5 stays forward of its rivals, outselling Microsoft’s Collection X and S consoles – no less than within the dwelling console house.

The identical cannot be stated with regards to handhelds although.

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

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

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

“We’re at all times about new innovation within the class,” Mr Lempel stated.

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 stated Portal was “performing rather well” and although he didn’t reveal precise gross sales figures, he stated it had “exceeded our expectations”.

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

“Among the greatest video games at this time are nonetheless playable on PS4, and for the primary three years it was comparatively uncommon to see any PS5-only releases,” he stated.

“The video games dominating probably the most performed charts are titles like Fortnite, Roblox and Name of Responsibility: Warzone… video games which can be, in some instances, over 10 years outdated and are playable on a lot older units.

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

Latest years have seen PlayStation make the transfer into TV and movie, which Mr Lempel stated was having an influence on sport gross sales too.

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

“When you have a look at one thing like The Final of Us, they wish to know what occurs.”

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

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

“That is a sport I like from Sucker Punch, one other considered one of our nice builders that has advanced a number of occasions through the years and finished numerous nice stuff,” he stated.

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