I’m not too informed on Sony’s history as a brand, but my understanding is that Sony was very popular during PS1 and PS2, lost a lot of popularity with the PS3 (though consumer confidence would restore as the gen went on), returned to their former popularity during PS4, and have been on a downward spiral since 2019.

It say it's more since 2021, there was plenty of stuff into 2020 like Gjost of Tsushima and The last of US that kept them riding high and the initial ps5 launch was a success with actual games to play, it's just after that that confidence started to go down and now we are seeing a spiral happen as people realise they're been fee shite and happily eating it.  

Wait, what? Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West, and God of War Ragnarök, anyone? Like... literally three first-party 10 million+ sellers?

I get some people were disappointed they weren't PS5 exclusives, but availability was still somewhat poor in 2022.

All they had to do is include Disc drive and the stand in the box at this price...

Sales (and overall revenue) indicate their popularity in PS5 generation is about the same as PS4 generation, at least when it comes from hardware manufacturer side.  I'd say they are clearly less popular and well liked than during PS2 generation, even if only because their price policy make them a little cost prohibitive for some 

As a software developer they reached their all time high during PS4 generation and I'd say they have been less eventful during PS5 generation because their software output has been weaker, but their IPs are about as popular as PS4 generation. The best evidence is their pricing police, during PS4 generation their games lose their value rather fast, here they are selling Ratchet & Clank, Demon Souls, Returnal and Mile Morales all by full price (70 USD) after some years. I think from their major first party only Horizon got a price cut (is selling for 50 USD I think) and seems more like a panic discount because the sequel sold like half of the first game

TLDR: I don't see Sony really having a decrease in popularity compared to PS4 generation

Maybe I should clarify: Popularity referring to favorability. Similar to the concept of “How hard is this?” refers to difficulty, “How popular is this?” is being used to referred to favorability.

That being said, I think most of what you say is something I’d be in agreement with. Sony was a strong software developer during PS4, they had very positive perception during PS1/2/4, etc. PS5 is just too safe, filled entirely with sequels which fail to hit the same highs of their predecessor. Definitely Sony’s worst gen as far as software development is concerned, I believe.

I get the sense that most people are like me and didn't like Horizon FW or Ragnorok and were disappointed. GT7 while great now was a pissed even hardcore fans off with MTX. People are burned out on First party Sony. GoW Vallhala brought back some praise to hardcore fans so there's that but it was short. This is just me gauging the vibes though. Ask most people do they want another GOW game now or spiderman and they'll tell ya no. For me the slap in the face was the atreus level and the constant handholding, people are also pissed with how flat the characters are in HFW and Aloy herself. They done to great with stuff like GOT and returnal to return to this formulaic vibe, there need to let this stuff rest for a while. 

GT7 and Ragnarok are both the fastest-selling games in their franchises and Forbidden West was up there with ZD until it came to PS Plus.

I think you're putting too much stock on echo chambers. Reminds me of when people began to complain about COD and AC like 12 years ago but then the games came out and they were still breaking records. 95%+ of players aren't discussing this stuff online.

Playstation is becoming a joke on social media, probably not a good thing

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_v70_eyZv8/?igsh=MXh6ejNzaXMyY3k1bA==

I can't believe people are only catching on now, there was the most mininimal remaster in The last of US 2 we've ever seen. They charged full price for a port and sold it on the idea that it was improved. I would hope that the raw files show some improvement and YouTube compression has is at least causing some of the issue but even then, the Spiderman 2 version looks better imo. Total disaster, people are right to be making fun of them, gotta wonder will they be feeling secure as the joke or are they/can they do something to change it. Fair games is on the way and it's likely to reinforce the grabage look, it may be better for them to bin it.