PS5 leads PlayStation to a record sales year

Sony has announced its financial results [PDF link] for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2021, and it looks like the PlayStation 5 is exceeding the company’s expectations. The new console has already sold 7.8 million units, contributing to a best-ever quarter for Sony’s Game and Network Services division.

Importantly, the PlayStation 5 met the goal Sony set of outselling the PlayStation 4 during its first fiscal year. The older console managed 7.4 million in sales over the same period. What makes that achievement all the more special is the headwind Sony faced during this new launch. Supply has been severely constrained since November thanks both to demand and a global semiconductor shortage, and of course the console launched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted consumer spending significantly.

All told, Sony’s gaming division pulled in around $25 billion dollars for the fiscal year, with hardware sales making up 20 percent of revenue. Digital software made up a further 21 percent, while DLC, add-ons, and microtransactions accounted for a whopping 34 percent. Peripherals drove 6 percent of revenue for the year, and physical game sales drove just 5 percent.

Sony forecasts even higher gaming revenue for the current fiscal year, so we’ll find out if the PS5 can continue its hot streak in the months ahead.