If Sony survives I think there will be.

internet infrastructure will improve and in 10-20 years there might be no actual need for a console in parts of NA, EU and Asia, but I think the video game companies will still offer hardware for people that don't have access to this or prefer to play that way

it just makes sense to get the hardware (that doesn't make money these days anyways) out of the equation and make income generated with games more predictable by using subscriptions

A PlayStation 5 will exist. PlayStation's biggest market is in countries with poor internet connections, and/or massive data caps. Markets with capable, and reliable internet may start to see day and date releases on PSNOW and PS5 at some point though (if this has not already started by the later part of this generation).

Not many countries have reliable broadband connections to allow gaming being solely via streaming. Also people in these countries do buy consoles and games now. Why lose all those customers? Why restrict people's choice and lessen your market?

It is also suggested that even in the US broadband is not always and everywhere reliable. I guess it is a risky step to be made. See all the reaction towards the always online DRM. People do not seem willing (or at least ready yet) to be completely internet dependent regarding their gaming hobby.

So, even if we cannot know what lies in the future, my estimation is that there will be a PS5 (or whatever) and 9th gen in general.

I think there will definitely be a PS5... whether it will be a digital box or a box with a blu ray on front, that is too early to decide. MS jumped the gun before people were ready, will they be ready in 5 years... not convinced (due to other countries taking longer to get on board with good internet).

My thought is that the PS5 will have BluRay (disk drive of some kind), digital (which many more will be following) and a streaming service. I don't see why all three cannot co-exist... If you are starting to get more sales in say CountryB and countryB has crap internet then a streaming box aint going to sell.

Perhaps a PS5, but no PS6. Streaming content is the future. MS went halfway in the right direction with their initial policies with Xb one. But as is often the case a halfway solution often means the worst of both worlds and the best of neither, which happened with Xb one's initial policies.

No one is going to complain about about not being able to sell used games when you are subscribing to a service that has a smorgasboard of games for you to choose from.

Onlive had it right, but they were too early and too unknown.

I agree with that. There is a psychological need for a box of some kind under the TV set. People need to say there is "a VCR" playing the content they see.

PS Now solves the BC issue and that's as far as I see it. Like you say, when PS5 releases, the broadband technology will be MUCH faster and accessible/cheaper allowing PS4 games to then be running on the service, if not already.

Let's first see how people react to playstation now.
atm I don't think people are willing to go full subscription instead of buying hardware like they did their whole live.

REALLY THO