PS5 sales could go beyond the original PlayStation's record of 22.6 million units sold in a year with help from female gamers and opportunity markets

A combination of a Sony Investor Relations Day that took place at the end of May and a recent shareholder general meeting has revealed the company’s grand plans for the PlayStation 5. While it appears the giant Japanese company has accepted fiscal year 2021 might not challenge overall sales records due to the well-documented issues with chip shortages and console stock, it has targeted FY22 (12 months up to March 31, 2023) as a potentially record-breaking year for the PS5.

According to a slide provided by Sony (see below), the original PlayStation has the fiscal year record in terms of units sold, with a figure of 22.6 million. While the successor consoles were no sales slouches, with both the PS2 and PS4 hitting the 20-million mark and beyond, Sony wants even more from the PS5. Judging by the bedlam that occurs every time a retailer announces (or doesn’t even announce) the presence of PS5 stock, it seems reasonable to believe that as long as the supply is in place the demand is unlikely to fall.

On top of relying on loyal PS1 gamers who have grown up with Sony’s consoles and have made a PS4 or PS5 purchase, the firm is also eyeing up assistance from female gamers and opportunity markets. Console ownership among females for the PS1 stood at 18% but rose to a more equal 41% for the PS4/PS5. Markets beyond North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are also providing additional sales, with gamers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia helping lift revenue proportion figures from 1% in FY00 to +10% by FY20.

Sony realizes gaming is a truly gender-free global pastime and is enjoying worldwide brand recognition for PlayStation at a level that matches well-known names such as Amazon and Honda. The figure for Year 1 sell-in units for the PS5 was 7.8 million, beating all other PlayStation consoles before it (PS4: 7.6 million). Sony Interactive Entertainment chief Jim Ryan told Wired that PS5 production was to be ramped up this summer, so if the company has the units in place when FY22 begins in April of next year, PS5 sales should easily top the +14.8 million sales figure targeted for FY21.

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