Sony's New Deal: Two key changes to PlayStation strategy revealed after management update
Sony continues to transform its gaming division, and new CFO Lin Tao has shared two important changes that have already taken place at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) following the recent change in leadership. These steps are aimed at making the business more profitable and stable, and shifting the focus from console sales to player engagement.
Here's What We Know
Lin Tao, who became the first woman to become Sony Group CFO in March 2025, previously held key positions in financial and corporate strategic management at SIE. She was one of the main figures in the restructuring of the gaming division, helping to strengthen Sony's position in the market.
According to Tao, the first significant change is a shift away from focusing on "sell-in units" of consoles and towards a focus on "engagement" and "active monthly users" (MAUs). This approach allows the company to focus on long-term profitability by developing digital services, subscriptions and game content that keeps players in the PlayStation ecosystem.
The second important change concerns financial discipline in Sony's studios. Tao noted that there were some problems with budget and cost management in the past, but now the company is halfway to significant improvements. According to her, the mentality in the studios has changed dramatically, which contributes to more efficient use of resources and improved product quality.
As a reminder, sales of consoles and Sony's own games are falling, but there is more money: the company's total net income grew by 7% to $81.8 billion.
Source: Sony
