Sony Reports Record 127 Million Monthly Active PlayStation Users Amid Mixed Hardware Sales
- Sony reports 127 million monthly active users across PlayStation 4 and 5, a 7% year-on-year increase.
- Revenue from Game & Network Services climbed 9% alongside an 83% rise in operating profit.
- PS5 hardware sales fell to 2.6 million units, down from 4 million during the same period in 2025.
As part of its financial results released on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Sony has confirmed that monthly active users (MAU) for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 reached 127 million in September, marking a seven percent increase from the previous year and setting a new record.
This growth indicates heightened engagement within the PlayStation ecosystem. Active playtime also saw a four percent increase year-on-year, contributing to a nine percent revenue growth for Sony’s Game & Network Services division, with operating profit soaring by 83 percent year-on-year.
Despite mixed reviews, Marvel’s Wolverine has been highlighted as a significant factor in the recent performance, selling 2.4 million copies within approximately 50 days as of November 4. In comparison, Ghost of Yotei has sold 3.3 million copies since its launch in October 2025.
While active user statistics are strong, PS5 hardware sales have declined, with Sony selling 2.6 million units during the reporting period, down from 4 million in the same quarter a year prior. Despite this decline, with 100 million PS5 units sold and 127 million PlayStation accounts overall, Sony is shifting focus towards converting these users into more engaged customers.
According to Sony CFO Lin Tao, the PlayStation 6 is on track and “progressing as scheduled,” with substantial advancements anticipated by 2027. Addressing the drop in PS5 sales, Tao indicated that this trend aligns with the natural cycle of console launches and iterated ongoing growth in the PlayStation platform. He noted, “Although new PS5 unit sales are gradually declining as expected at this stage of the console life cycle, the PlayStation platform continues to expand and grow in a stable manner,” adding that preparations for the next-generation platform will proceed solidly in the coming year.
Amid recent controversies, including the decision to cease manufacturing PlayStation discs by January 2028—a move criticized as anti-consumer—Sony’s current growth appears largely unaffected, despite some backlash from the gaming community.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
