For the last 30 years, Sony has followed a proven formula of iterative PS consoles, keeping the same core concept but increasing power and capability.

However, given the current technical and economic circumstances, with the cost of both hardware and game development ballooning and graphical progress slowing, do you think they should continue this same blueprint for PS6?

Or, do you think they need to change their strategy and do something different for the next PS system?

If you were in charge, what would be your strategy, in terms of hardware design, cost, release timing, etc, and why?

I feel like at this point we’ve heard enough rumors to suggest the system won’t be an innovation beyond *maybe* being a hybrid. While innovation would be good, I just want a more steady and varied stream of AA/AAA first-party releases. (And I would really appreciate more not-M rated games. Astro Bot was really fun! Not every game needs to be super bloody nor sexual nor etc.)

They should make a PS6

Turn PlayStation into something closer to an iPhone line. A console to get small revisions every 2 to 3 years, without a typical concept of a console cycle 

This was they keep the benefits of plug and play console, without being bound to deliver graphical improvements in every set number of years 

This is technically how PC GPU works. You don't need to upgrade in every Nvidea release, but eventually you will have to upgrade if you want to keep playing games in a acceptable state 

It's sounding like Sony is going to change up their strategy next generation with a handheld option or a hybrid or something. Personally I'm totally fine with a standard, high performance home console that fits as much power as they can into a $500 box. More specifically I'd like it to be ready for path tracing and have an upscaler that's properly competitive with DLSS (don't care about frame gen, though). They'll probably try to add some other AI features but who knows which will actually be useful in the long run?

On the other hand I'd be totally fine with them going fully multiplatform and not even need to buy a console next gen.

PS6 to be released in 2027 or 2028:
- One model only, don't even bother releasing a Pro model afterwards. Keep the disc drive, doesn't matter if some gamers are digital-only, never hurts to have it and less confusing to consumers, also keep physical alive.
- acceptable to release a slim model afterwards to cut cost and reduce the price for consumers, that's right...reduce price, not increase.
- just slightly more powerful than PS5 Pro, with a 2TB SSD minimum. Gamers care less about graphics and more about actual fun games.
- start pumping out AA/AAA titles more often while maintaining a realistic budget for the games. It's 100% doable so don't be stupid about it.
- that being said, revive old franchises ie. Resistance, Killzone, The Order 1886? etc.. and create new low cost IP cause you never know if one will turn out amazing
- a cleaner, sharper, sleek design. I understood what PS5's design was trying to do but nobody asked for that.. Just make sure that it's quiet, properly ventilated and doesn't overheat.
- fully backwards compatible all the way from the beginning, PS1 to PS5
- PS6 comes pre-installed with a small game, ie. Little Big Planet or Astrobot
- lower price point for system and games (have it at $499 and it will automatically win, $69 for Dualsense 2 controller with better battery life, can use current Dualsense controller to play PS6 games but will be phased out, keep 1st party launch games at $69...it's a great number too) If PS6 has all these qualities, and if it ends up being sold at a loss I'm sure it'll sell like crazy and they'll make it back with software sales.

I think consumers would always want something new, but doesn't need to be cutting edge, and also want some familiarity. All without breaking the bank.

Their rumoured plan sounds good. A reasonably powerful "not outrageously expensive" home console + a handheld.

I would launch the home console in 2028 at the earliest, and the handheld two years later. But I have a hunch that Sony intends to launch both models in 2027, which I think would be too early.

I think a Pro model is fine. It serves the purpose it needs to, especially for Sony, in allowing them to get ready for the next gen by testing some stuff out first. In this case, PS5 Pro is being used for PSSR so that it is in a better state for the PS6 rather than them having to wait 3-5 years before they can begin to utilise it.

What they need, imho, is a handheld variant. That offers consumers options. 

Remake Omega Boost and Ape Escape.

So, each iteration of PS so far has some kinda of thing that makes it more focused on interactivity to improve gaming for a general audience, CDs held more data and were cheaper, PS2's DVD was the same plus could play movies, PS3 - online and blu-ray, PS4 - media sharing, PS5 - interactivity with it's controller. They have to improve on this but it's become harder to imagine how. They can't just release a console that is the same but more powerful, that's dull.

What they should do it try and reduce costs as current market for parts is honestly a bit fucked. If they go digital with a disc drive add on they need to make purchasing games as easy as it is right now, which means allowing retailers to sell digital codes, they need to add a refund or even exchange system too. Make the PS appealing more to the general audience if they are going to have to fork out £2k just for the console. Also, I think they need to start importing all PS3 games to their store as digital games that you can "stream" at any time, with or without PS+, so streaming rights comes with the purchase.