Sony navigates memory crisis and transition to digital-only gaming

Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has described the ongoing global memory crisis as a relatively “fortunate” timing for the PlayStation brand. Because the PlayStation 5 is currently in the second half of its lifecycle, the company is less dependent on aggressive hardware sales and can instead focus on monetizing its existing base of 125 million monthly active users through services and digital content.

Separately, the company faces scrutiny regarding its decision to discontinue physical game formats for PlayStation starting in January 2028. While the move has drawn criticism and calls for boycotts from some consumers, former Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida has minimized the impact. Yoshida noted that even with physical discs, developers frequently require players to download patches and additional data, suggesting the transition to a digital-only model may not be as disruptive as critics claim.