In an interview with Naver, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan talked about the PlayStation 5 including the DualSense Controller, the console design, PlayStation Plus Collection, the pricing of games for the next generation, and also noted how well the company believes the PlayStation 5 will perform compared to PlayStation 4. Jim Ryan said: “We think that the PS5 will sell more in its first fiscal year than it sold in the first fiscal year at the time of PS4 launch”
PlayStation 4 sold 7 million units at the end of its first fiscal year. Now, if the pre-orders are anything to go by, besides how chaotic it was, the availability of the PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 digital edition came and went very quickly. With everything going on in the world and the effects of COVID-19, many were unsure if either the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 would be getting released. However, despite reports that the pandemic has affected the number of units they can produce, Sony has reaffirmed that this isn’t the case. Reports suggest that there will be an estimated 10 million units available by the end of 2020.
One of the more interesting developments that have occurred as next-gen approaches is the change in pricing for some of Sony’s First-Party titles which are priced at $69.99. Talking about the change in pricing and how it could affect the market, Jim Ryan said, “It is difficult to talk about the overall game market or other game consoles, but I think the value is obvious in the case of the PS5. We’ll excite fans around the world with the best exclusive games on the market today and deliver a true next-generation device experience that will captivate them.”
Talking about what went into the design and creation of the new DualSense controller, Jim Ryan said, “we decided to add new features and refine the design while keeping the features of the basic DualShock 4 that gamers liked. What I learned through several meetings with the developers was that many games did not get noticed by touch and sound during play. Therefore, we had a great opportunity to innovate by providing manufacturers with a way to increase immersion by utilizing the new controller of this PS5.”
One of the new things that were revealed in the latest PlayStation 5 Showcase was something new for PlayStation Plus subscribers. The PlayStation Plus Collection is a collection of the best PlayStation 4 games that will be available for PS Plus subscribers to pick from and play on the PlayStation 5. “We are very optimistic about the possibility of PlayStation Plus Collection that will be provided to users in the future,” Jim Ryan said. “If you own a PS5 and subscribe to PS Plus, you will be able to use some of the most popular games on the PS4. I think the benefits added to the PS5 will attract new fans to the PS community. I think this will be a really attractive benefit.”
While the new consoles are not officially out, they are being made available to members of the press and influencers. Many on social media have shared that they have the Xbox Series X. Previews of Microsoft’s new console were released last week. Over the weekend, you may or may not have seen but several people in Japan have gotten their hands on the PlayStation 5. One of the things that are being said about Sony’s new console is how big it is.
“Various technologies were used in PlayStation 5 and a lot of effort was put into creating a futuristic design,” Jim Ryan said talking about what went into the design of the new console. “When we first unveiled the PS5 in June, we were curious about your reaction, but internally, there was a strong belief that a great design that suited the 2020s and beyond.”