Sony is expecting ‘one of its strongest seasons ever’ in terms of console sales
While its PS5 outlook is “really strong”, VR is a “nascent business” for PlayStation
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is expecting one of the strongest seasons ever for PlayStation console sales this holiday.
That’s according to SIE senior vice president and head of global marketing Eric Lempel, who told Barron’s (via Resetera) that this will be the first Christmas shopping season that anyone who wants to buy a PS5 will be able to find one.
“Our outlook on PlayStation 5 is really strong,” he said. “We’re expecting one of the strongest seasons in our history in terms of console sales.
“It’s a combination of the great product we have and the titles that have released since launch—as well as most recently with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.”
Released last week, Spider-Man 2 is the fastest selling PlayStation Studios game in history, shifting 2.5 million copies in its first 24 hours, according to Sony.
Lempel also described VR as a meaningful business for Sony, but one that is yet to reach its’s potential.
“The VR category is important to us. It’s a category that can help us with innovation,” he said. “It’s never going to be the only way people play games, but I’m happy that we’re in it. There are great experiences to be had and consumers really like it. But it’s a nascent business for us.”
Sony said in July that PS5 sales had topped 40 million worldwide. PS4 remains its fastest-selling console to reach the milestone, having hit 40 million sales two months sooner, but it didn’t face the same Covid-related supply issues that checked PS5’s momentum.
The company is aiming to ship 25 million PS5 consoles during its current fiscal year ending in March 2024. If achieved, it would beat a 25-year-old console sales record set when the original PlayStation shipped 22.6 million units over a 12-month period.
Sony will release a PS5 Slim in November. Like the launch model, the new one will be available in standard and Digital editions. According to the company, the new console has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and in weight by 18% and 24% respectively compared to the current one.
Further reading
Sony has released a new PS5 system update
Unlike the launch model, the new PS5 Digital Edition will support an attachable Blu-ray disc drive, which can be purchased separately.
PS5 Slim is expected to debut on November 8, with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Modern Warfare 3 bundles on the way.
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