"No major issues" for PS5 game development - hardware on track for holiday release, says Sony

Sony has stated that coronavirus is not hampering game development and the PS5 is still on track to launch this holiday, 2020.

In a presentation following the release of its full-year 2019 financial results, Sony said specifically that its gaming business was performing well, with sales of PlayStation Plus subscriptions up.

"PlayStation hardware sales trending well. Network services revenue increased. PlayStation 5 on track for launch in this holiday season. No major issues in game software development at this point," reads a presentation to investors.

In more detail, Sony added: "Regarding the launch of the PlayStation 5, although factors such as employees working from home and restrictions on international travel have presented some challenges in regards to part of the testing process and the qualifications of production lines, development is progressing with the launch of the console scheduled for the 2020 holiday season.

"At this point in time major problems have not arisen in the game software development pipeline for Sony's own first-party studios or its partners' studios."

However, it did note that first-party game sales were down, as are PlayStation 4 hardware sales, as the console comes to the end of its lifecycle.

The positive news for Sony's game division is in sharp contrast to its music and pictures businesses, which are suffering delays to manufacturing, the impact of cinema shutdowns, stalled movie and TV projects and a large drop in advertising revenues.

Sony's game division has two major releases to look forward to this summer. The highly-anticipated The Last of Us Part 2 is due June 19, followed by new Sucker Punch IP Ghost of Tsushima on July 17.

Sony is expected to reveal a proper look at the PlayStation 5 at a briefing in June. You can see how the PS5 specs stack up to the Xbox Series X here.