– Embracer Group expects sales boost from upcoming titles like Metro 2039 and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
– High memory prices and tariffs threaten console sales and may delay PS6 release to 2028 or 2029
– Console game sales increased 3% in 2025; GTA 6 anticipated to drive further gains in 2026
– Sony raised PS5 and PS5 Pro prices due to AI-driven component shortages; PS5 adoption dropped in late 2025
– Potential PS6 cost mitigation includes reducing GDDR7 VRAM from 30GB to 24GB and improved file compression
Embracer Group’s Latest Report
The Embracer Group ownes many studios, like Crystal Dynamics and THQ Nordic. In their newest annual report, they predict a big boost from upcoming games such as Metro 2039 and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. However, high memory prices are threatning to reduce console sales and could delay the PS6 release date.
Console Sales and Upcoming Titles
As the report highlites, console game sales went up by 3% in 2025 compared to the past year. The publishing group thinks the GTA 6 debut will help drive even larger gains in 2026. Yet, tariffs and the cost of parts like DRAM complicate that outlook. When addressing the launch of future gaming systems, it explains:
Potential PS6 Delay
In fact, some experts believe that Sony is now thinking about pushing back the debut of its next PlayStation console from 2027 to 2028 or maybe even 2029. It’s unlikely that the Embracer Group has gotten a direct update from Sony. Instead, they are refering to earlier reports about a possible PS6 release date delay. A February 2026 Bloomberg article used very similar wording, quoting sources as “people familiar with the company’s thinking.”
Impact of Component Costs
Skyrocketing storage and memory prices have already messed with current-generation hardware. Sony and Nintendo recently raised the MSRPs of the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Switch 2 in response to the AI-driven shortage. The forcast looks bad for short-term relief, with component costs likely to stay high through 2027 and possibly into 2028. In its most recent fiscal report, Sony agreed that PS5 adoption had fallen off in Q4 2025.
Sony’s Admission and Market Reactions
The company also admitted that demand from AI data centers could mess up its PS6 plans. There has been evidence that the higher cost of the systems is stoping console sales. With the price hike now in effect, the first signs of a dramatic drop-off in places like the UK have shown up. If the PS6 specs offer a big leap in performance, it may demand a very high investment. Still, leaker KeplerL2 has guessed that the manufacturer could reduce its rumored GDDR7 VRAM capacity from 30GB to 24GB.
Possible Solutions and Future Outlook
New file compression methods also aim to remove the need for a larger SSD. Even with these options, Sony may, as the Embracer Group suggests, choose to extend the current generation. Hopefully, by later in 2028 or 2029, storage and memory will finally become more affordable.
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