Former PlayStation Executive Advocates for Extended PS5 Lifespan, Suggests Players Aren’t Seeking More Power

The PlayStation 5 is nearing the end of its sixth year, and it’s performing admirably. There’s no pressing need to upgrade or pursue the performance enhancements of a PS5 Pro, especially with hardware prices soaring. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida believes many gamers share this sentiment. His advice to Sony? Extend the lifespan of the current console generation as long as possible.

In a recent interview, he noted that while Sony and Nintendo have sold plenty of current-gen consoles, the rising costs of production might lead them to delay the next generation. “I think they should try to keep the current generation as long as possible because I think people are very happy using PS5 and Switch 2,” he stated.

Yoshida elaborated on the financial constraints gamers face, pointing out that the prices of components for PCs and consoles have surged more than other entertainment options. Those with systems like the PS5, Switch 2, or capable PCs are likely content with their setups and may not feel the urge to upgrade.

He also mentioned that there isn’t a widespread demand for “more power” from players or even developers. This suggests that both Sony and Nintendo can expect to thrive with their current offerings for several more years.

In the past, gamers had to deal with issues like failing lasers on PS2s, limited storage on PS3s, and the noisy operation of PS4s. However, the PS5 doesn’t present the same urgency to upgrade, particularly if the next generation of consoles is priced around $1,000. Yoshida proposed that companies like Sony might need to consider financing options similar to those used for smartphones if prices exceed that threshold.

“If it’s over $1,000 hardware price, and it basically comes with the services, maybe $300 a year or $400 a year,” he suggested. “A $50 a month subscription, how’s that?”

While that sounds steep, the real test for any new hardware will be whether it offers features that genuinely excite players about upgrading, rather than just next-gen exclusives that pressure them to abandon their current systems. Nintendo has shown that impressive games can emerge from less powerful hardware, as evidenced by the original Switch. With backlogs on existing consoles continuing to grow, it’s hard to imagine many gamers, aside from the most dedicated, rushing to buy a PS6 at launch.