Sony has announced that it has secured enough memory to meet its PlayStation 5 sales targets for the current financial year, a critical assurance as the industry grapples with supply chain constraints. This statement comes as the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 approaches in November.
The global computer memory and storage supply crisis, dubbed the "RAMpocalypse," has been driven by increased demand from AI data centers, shifts in manufacturing capacity, and rising component costs. This situation has impacted console manufacturers, leading Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo to implement hardware price increases and raising concerns about console availability.
Despite these industry-wide challenges, Sony expressed optimism during its first-quarter financial results briefing. The company confirmed it has procured the required amount of memory to achieve its projected PS5 sales volume for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027. Furthermore, Sony indicated that its plan for hardware profitability will remain consistent with the previous fiscal year.
This supply assurance is particularly significant for Sony given its lineup of major game releases scheduled for the current fiscal year, which are expected to drive PS5 sales. Beyond Grand Theft Auto 6, which is poised to generate substantial interest in the console, Sony also has Marvel's Wolverine set for release in September and God of War Laufey in February. Ensuring adequate console stock will be crucial to capitalize on the demand generated by these titles.
While PlayStation continues to perform well financially, PS5 unit sales saw a decrease in the first quarter, with 1.6 million units sold—approximately one-third fewer than the same period last year. Total PS5 sales have now reached 95.3 million units. The company did report a record high for monthly active users in June, reaching 125 million accounts, a 2% year-on-year increase. Sony attributes continued user engagement to the solid performance of its user base, despite a 4% year-on-year decrease in total playtime during the first quarter.
Increased costs, including investments in next-generation platform development and restructuring expenses, were noted as a factor affecting profits in the first quarter. Sony also raised its forecast for the gaming business, anticipating a 3% increase in sales compared to its May forecast. This upward revision is partly due to a refund on U.S. tariffs, a measure also secured by other gaming companies like Nintendo.
An interesting detail within the financial report suggests that Sony's profit will be negatively impacted by "adjustments to the FY26 first-party title roadmap," indicating a delay in a first-party Sony game originally slated for release by March 31, 2027. The specific title affected has not yet been disclosed.