Memory crisis drives uncertainty over PlayStation 6 launch date

Totoki identified "trade wars and disrupted supplies of energy and chips" as the biggest challenges for the company in the current era. The latter, specifically a global memory shortage caused by massive investments in AI infrastructure, is directly impacting Sony's plans for the new console.

While analysts had expected the hardware to arrive sometime next year, those expectations have drifted further out due to the supply constraints. As noted in Sony's latest fiscal report, the company has secured the quantity of memory it deems necessary to meet projected hardware sales during FY26.

The shortage is not unique to Sony; Microsoft, Valve, and Nintendo have also adjusted prices for their corresponding hardware in response. In April, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma warned that the crisis could impact next-gen hardware availability and pricing. Two months later, Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball noted that demand is outstripping supply, posing a "severe limitation" on production speeds.

Despite these challenges, Totoki remains bullish on AI. A recent investor presentation highlighted Sony's use of AI tools to animate characters' hair in video games. "AI cannot replace it," the CEO told the publication. "AI can enhance human creativity. It is really up to us. We take advantage of AI, or we face a threat from AI."