Sony’s first-party game sales have ended a four-year decline, reaching 32.1 million units in fiscal year 2025. According to official data released by Sony in May, this marks the first growth period since the pandemic-era peak, driven by a PS5 user base exceeding 90 million and the rapid success of Ghost of Yōtei.
Why did Sony’s first-party game sales drop after 2020?
The gaming industry saw a massive, artificial surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fiscal year 2020, Sony hit a record-breaking sales peak of 58.4 million units. This era was fueled by global lockdowns that kept players home, alongside a heavy-hitting lineup including The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and the Demon’s Souls remake.
However, as the world reopened, that momentum evaporated. According to reports from Gamefile.news, Sony’s sales began a steady year-over-year descent. Even major releases like God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and the award-winning Astro Bot couldn’t replicate the sheer volume of the lockdown years.
By fiscal year 2024, sales had plummeted to just 28.9 million units—less than half of the 2020 high. This four-year slump suggested that Sony was struggling to find the same level of engagement as the hardware transitioned and consumer habits shifted.
How did Sony reverse the downward trend in 2025?
The turnaround in fiscal year 2025 (which ended in March 2026) wasn’t an accident. Sony’s recovery to 32.1 million units is largely tied to the massive expansion of the PlayStation 5 ecosystem. The console’s install base officially crossed the 90 million mark earlier this year, providing a much larger pool of potential buyers for first-party software.
The “Ghost” Effect
A significant driver of this recent momentum was the release of Ghost of Yōtei. Sony indicated that this title achieved sales milestones much faster than its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima, did in the same timeframe. This suggests that Sony’s established IP is successfully migrating its massive audience to the newer hardware.
What major PlayStation titles are coming next?
Sony is leaning heavily into its upcoming release calendar to maintain this upward trajectory. The studio has a pipeline of high-profile projects designed to keep the PS5 hardware relevant and the software sales climbing.
- Marvel’s Wolverine: Scheduled for release in mid-September, this is one of the most anticipated titles in the Sony lineup.
- Until Dawn 2: Expected to arrive within the next year, continuing one of Sony’s most successful horror franchises.
- Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: A brand-new IP currently in development by the acclaimed Naughty Dog team.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sony’s game sales reach their all-time high?
Sony reached a peak of 58.4 million units in fiscal year 2020.
How many PS5 consoles have been sold?
The PlayStation 5 install base surpassed 90 million units early in 2026.
Is Sony’s first-party sales growing again?
Yes, after four years of decline, sales rose to 32.1 million units in fiscal year 2025.
What do you think about Sony’s recent sales comeback? Are you most excited for Wolverine or the new Naughty Dog IP? Let us know in the comments below!
