The head of PlayStation claims that the PS5 Pro is a “five-year project” that commenced development ahead of the PS5’s launch

Sony’s PlayStation 5 was officially released on November 19, 2020, but according to Hideaki Nishino, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s platform business group, development on its mid-generation upgrade, the PS5 Pro, began even before the console’s launch.

In an interview with Variety, Nishino explained, “We have done Pro in the last generation. We learned a lot from there.” He noted that during the PS4 era, 20% of customers opted for the PS4 Pro alongside the standard PS4, demonstrating a market for premium-tier consoles. “Interestingly enough, it was not just about highly engaged users – new users came to PlayStation to get the PS4 Pro as well.”

Nishino revealed that the team began working on the PS5 Pro “even before PS5 launched — it was another five-year project for us.” He emphasized that technological advancements are accelerating, citing that innovations occur rapidly in today’s world, as seen with smartphones and PCs. “There are technologies we can grow in three years or five years. The innovation and technology advancement is quicker in a modern world,” he said.

While he acknowledged that Sony wouldn’t commit to annual hardware updates, he hinted at a vision for incorporating significant advancements into the console lineup. “We can package together to bring the greatest things into the game console segment,” Nishino stated.

Additionally, he clarified that Sony always plans for the future when releasing new hardware. “We’re happy to see that most engaged gaming users are interested in the PS5 Pro, and I’m pretty sure new users will grab the PS5 Pro as well,” he remarked. “We design everything with having one ahead in our mind. It’s not like we just make a next step and we don’t know about the two steps ahead.”

As Sony continues its legacy, Nishino stressed the importance of ensuring that the 10-year console generation cycle remains intact, further solidifying the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.