Sony’s PlayStation business recorded an 83% increase in operating profit during the July to September 2026 quarter, despite a sharp decline in PS5 shipments. The company’s latest financial results also revealed that Marvel’s Wolverine has sold approximately 2.4 million copies since its September launch.
According to Sony’s quarterly earnings report, operating income for its Game & Network Services (G&NS) division reached ¥220.1 billion, compared to ¥120.4 billion during the same period last year. Revenue increased 9% to ¥1,208.5 billion, supported by stronger software sales and network services.
Currency fluctuations contributed ¥73.0 billion to revenue growth, with the Japanese yen averaging ¥159.3 against the US dollar, compared to ¥147.4 a year earlier. The profit comparison also benefited from two expenses recorded last year that did not recur, including a ¥31.5 billion Bungie impairment and an ¥18.3 billion development cost correction.
PS5 hardware sales were considerably weaker. Sony shipped 2.6 million consoles during the quarter, down from 4.0 million a year earlier. Hardware revenue declined from ¥230.9 billion to ¥219.7 billion.
For the first half of the fiscal year, PS5 shipments totaled 4.2 million units, compared to 6.5 million during the same period last year. Sony reports these figures on a sell-in basis, meaning consoles shipped to retailers rather than sold directly to consumers.
PlayStation Q2 FY2026 Financial Results Compared
| Metric | Q2 FY2025 | Q2 FY2026 |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 shipments | 4.0 million | 2.6 million |
| Full game software sales | 80.3 million | 88.2 million |
| First-party game sales | 6.3 million | 8.2 million |
| Digital download ratio | 72% | 78% |
| Network services revenue | ¥182.7 billion | ¥218.3 billion |
| Monthly active users | 119 million | 127 million |
Software sales helped offset the hardware decline. Full game sales increased to 88.2 million units from 80.3 million, while first-party software sales climbed to 8.2 million from 6.3 million.
Digital downloads accounted for 78% of full game software sales, up from 72% last year. Digital software revenue increased from ¥268.3 billion to ¥330.8 billion, while add-on content revenue rose to ¥313.1 billion from ¥299.8 billion.
Network services revenue also grew to ¥218.3 billion, compared to ¥182.7 billion a year earlier. Monthly active users across PlayStation Network reached 127 million, up from 119 million.
The Sony PlayStation earnings report also provided an update on Marvel’s Wolverine. The PS5 exclusive, which launched on September 15, reached an estimated 2.4 million copies sold through to consumers by November 4, approximately 50 days after release.
For comparison, Ghost of Yōtei sold 3.3 million copies within its first 32 days. Sony’s figures exclude add-on content.
Sony has raised its full-year forecast for the gaming division, increasing expected revenue from ¥4,540 billion to ¥4,830 billion. Its operating income forecast has also been revised upward from ¥660 billion to ¥700 billion.
The company attributed the improved outlook to stronger third-party software sales, cost reductions, and continued growth in network services. However, Sony said a change to the release date of a first-party title would partially offset those improvements.
Across Sony’s wider business, quarterly revenue increased 10% to ¥3,429.4 billion, while operating income rose 45% to ¥622.3 billion. The company also raised its full-year operating income forecast from ¥1,720 billion to ¥1,870 billion.
