Former PlayStation Boss Suggests Sony Should Delay PS6 and Make the PS5 More Affordable

The PlayStation 6 has become a major talking point, but not everyone believes Sony should rush into another console generation. While the company continues working on its next hardware, concerns are growing over whether players actually need a more powerful system when the PlayStation 5 still has plenty of room to grow.

"With games like GTA 6 already stretching current hardware, you have to wonder why Sony is so eager to move on instead of getting the most out of its current platform." Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has weighed in, and he believes the company needs to rethink its priorities.

Layden has questioned why Sony should launch an expensive PlayStation 6 when it could instead focus on making its existing hardware cheaper.

Instead of moving directly to the next generation, he proposed the company might release another PlayStation 5 model at around $300. He also believes that Sony may release a cheaper version of the current console and perhaps push the next generation out till 2035. Some clout to his words, given his history with PlayStation and the hit games he helped bring to the platform.

The news is even more interesting when you consider recent PlayStation 5 rumors suggesting Sony is planning a big generational leap. There have also been reports of a separate handheld version that could natively run PlayStation 5 games, letting you take your current gaming library with you. The handheld rumors have also led people to wonder why Sony can't release cheaper versions of its current console. Earlier PlayStation models have seen several hardware revisions, such as the PlayStation 2 Slim and PSP Slim.

Sony has already launched the regular PlayStation 5, the PS5 Slim, and the PS5 Pro, but the price is still a problem.

Players have experienced several price increases this generation, rather than meaningful price cuts. Layden says Sony might be better off developing a cheaper console than focusing on more expensive hardware. A $300 PS5 could open up the platform to those who have been waiting for a better opportunity to get one.

Sony has said the development of the PlayStation 6 is on track. The company has also reportedly secured sufficient supplies, suggesting it's preparing for the next generation. Sony is reportedly aiming for a holiday 2027 release, but this is subject to change. Rumors also suggest a possible announcement early next year, so you might hear about the hardware sooner than expected.

But timing is one of the biggest worries about the next console. Developers are making it hard to get games that look good to the eye, finding new ways to improve the PlayStation 5 further. The PS5 has also given studios more opportunity to boost performance and visuals. 

Another worry is that memory and chip shortages could make the transition even more expensive. If Sony moves entirely toward the PlayStation 5, production could slow down or stop. That would leave players without an affordable alternative alongside the new console. Instead of having a cheaper PS alongside the PS6, we could end up with a next-generation system costing considerably more than the current hardware did at launch.

Layden also pointed out how previous console generations offered more noticeable technological improvements.

Big changes occurred between the original PlayStation and the PlayStation 2, including the shift from CDs to DVDs. Modern upgrades, though, focus on things like ray-tracing improvements that the average gamer might not notice. Historically, the end of a console generation meant that you could buy hardware at a much lower price. It gave people who had originally passed on the system a chance to play its games. You could eventually find the GameCube at Walmart for about $49. 

That cheap entry point could get you games. Eventually, the GameCube became a system worth revisiting, with titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker showing just how much the library had to offer. It also might make you want to buy another console, as happened with the Wii, to find those prices keep rising, that kind of king such an entry point to make.

Beyond pricing, Layden has also defended physical media and stressed the importance of digital ownership.

He believes Sony needs to focus on quality games and affordable hardware, and not waste too much time on technical improvements that might not make much difference to your experience. His broader approach is that console makers must make development easier while ensuring that players can afford to buy their systems.

For now, PlayStation 6 is still on Sony's roadmap, and there is no indication the company plans to move it to 2035. Still, Layden'ss comments underscore a growing concern about the cost of the next generation. More processing power sounds good, but cheap hardware and great games may ultimately attract more players than another expensive console.