According to Sony’s latest financial forecast, Sony expects PS4 console sales of 20 million this fiscal year.
In addition , Sony expects sales in its Games and Network division to rise by 8.3% to roughly $15.3 billion, or 1.68 trillion yen. Sony is also looking forward to increased PlayStation 4 software sales, both digital and physical.
That being said, Sony is preparing for a loss across all divisions, with sales dropping almost $4 billion and profits down from $1.4 billion to $728 million. This loss in profits is due to the major Kyushu earthquake in Asia that caused an image sensor manufacturing plant to cease operation, affecting divisions related to digital cameras and other devices.
Had the Kyushu earthquake not happened, Sony exec Kenichiro Yoshida said operating profit would have reached $3.6 billion (400 billion yen).
Worldwide PlayStation 4 sales are at 35.9 million as of January 2016, meaning Sony may well break the 50 million units sold mark and possibly even 60 million. At least one group of analysts believes the PS4 will hit 100 million units sold before its lifecycle is over, putting it in rarified company along with the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Game Boy, and Nintendo Wii. And that’s without really considering the possible impact of PlayStation VR.
“VR could actually help the PS4 expand its audience over the next few years but it is currently not crucial to the overall forecasts,” said the report .
Another factor that might help? The rumored PlayStation Neo, a technological half-step between the PS4 and Sony’s next-gen console plans. Reports expect the Neo before October, though this “PlayStation 4.5” is not yet officially confirmed.
