Ever since Sony launched the original PlayStation back in the 1990s, the company has enjoyed consistent success. It's looking to continue its momentum with its next-generation console the PS5, but with talk of cloud gaming and the like, some analysts have predicted that the next console generation could very well be the last. However, it seems Sony isn't sold on the idea that the future will be without video game consoles, as the company has just filed trademarks for the next five PlayStation systems.
Sony has filed trademarks for PS6, PS7, PS8, PS9, and PS10. Depending on how long each console generation is, that should cover Sony for at least the next 25 years or so. Of course, it's worth pointing out that just because Sony filed trademarks for the PS6, PS7, PS8, PS9, and PS10, it doesn't mean that the systems will actually be produced. Any number of things can happen within the next 25 years that may keep Sony from producing new video game consoles.
One possibility is that cloud game streaming will take over as some analysts have predicted. In this case, Sony may not release an actual physical console when it comes to the PlayStation 6, but may rather just focus on its cloud gaming services instead. And while it's highly unlikely, it's also possible that the PS5 could flop or Sony could get bought out. Unforeseen political issues could also throw a wrench in Sony's future PlayStation plans.
We've already seen how politics and the economy can have a huge effect on the video game industry. Some may recall that the seventh generation of game consoles (the PS3/Wii/Xbox 360 era), which lasted a whopping eight years, much longer than the standard five year console cycle. One of the main reasons for the seventh generation of game consoles lasting longer than usual was due to the Great Recession that hit the world in the late 2000s.
In more recent times, Donald Trump's Trade War with China has threatened to have a major impact on the video game industry. Trump's Trade War would put a tariff on China that would see the cost of manufacturing game consoles in the region skyrocket, in turn making Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo increase the cost of their consoles. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have come together to release a statement to the Trump administration in an attempt to convince them not to impose tariffs on video games, which so far hasn't happened yet.
But as long as the video game industry stays healthy and there is a market for physical video game consoles, fans really shouldn't expect PlayStation to go anywhere. The PlayStation brand has dominated console gaming nearly every generation that it's existed (minus the PS3, which was outsold by the Wii), and it's showing no signs of slowing down.
Source: Piercesword