Sony's CFO Lin Tao confirmed during the company's latest earnings call that RAM shortages won't impact PlayStation 5 availability or pricing through the 2026 holiday season. The company has locked in enough memory supplies to maintain stock levels for its current-generation console until the end of that period, which critically covers the November 19, 2026 release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Tao outlined Sony's approach to managing rising RAM costs through two main strategies. First, the company will focus on monetizing its existing PS5 install base rather than aggressively pushing new console sales. This means more revenue from accessories, controllers, and other hardware peripherals.
Second, Sony plans to expand income from software and network services, especially PlayStation Store sales and PSN subscriptions. Recent earnings showed PlayStation Store sales hit record highs last quarter, which means this strategy has legs even as hardware sales declined.
The PS5 has now shipped 92.2 million units worldwide, with 8 million units sold in the three months ending December 31, 2025. These numbers represent the foundation Sony is building on rather than desperately trying to expand during a supply crunch.
Tao's announcement is no coincidence either, given that GTA 6 may be the most significant console sales driver in years, possibly the entire generation. When Rockstar Games delayed the game from Fall 2025 to May 2026, Sony immediately slashed its PS5 sales forecast from 18.5 million units to 15 million. The subsequent delay to November 2026 caused a stir through console sales projections industry-wide.
Sony doesn't need to launch a PlayStation 6 when GTA 6 is about to sell PS5s for them. The game is locked exclusively to current-generation consoles, and with performance concerns suggesting players might need to accept 30fps on base PS5 hardware, the PS5 Pro becomes an attractive option for those wanting smoother gameplay. Sony has already started bundling the Pro with EA FC 26, and a GTA 6 bundle seems inevitable.
