Sony is accelerating its use of artificial intelligence in first‑party PlayStation game development, presenting AI as a tool that amplifies human creativity rather than replaces artists.

Internal AI tool Mockingbird can animate 3D facial models from performance-capture data, dramatically speeding up tasks that formerly took hours to seconds.

Studios like Naughty Dog and San Diego Studio have adopted these tools, applying AI to titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered and refining hair animation techniques.

Sony says the exact timing and cost of the PlayStation 6 remain undecided, citing memory shortages and other financial considerations, including a $765 million impairment tied to Bungie.

Sony reported full-year net sales of about $79.7 billion for the year ending March 31, 2026, alongside the Bungie impairment reflecting underperformance against expectations.

Next-generation PlayStation timing and pricing have not been finalized due to high memory costs, supply constraints, and the need for simulations and potential business-model adjustments.

External pressures include a memory shortage driven by AI infrastructure demand and geopolitical uncertainties affecting partnerships and supply chains, with ongoing supplier negotiations to manage costs.

The article places Sony's AI push within broader industry context, linking to coverage on hardware sales and studio layoffs.

Danielle Riendeau, Editor-in-Chief of Game Developer, is identified as the author and source, with her relevant background noted.

Sony acknowledges current AI limitations, citing issues with consistency and controllability, and notes reliability concerns in collaborations, such as with Bandai Namco.

Executives emphasize that generative AI currently has weaknesses in consistency and controllability that the company aims to address.

Other developers have faced backlash over generative AI assets, with cases where assets were replaced with hand-crafted art after pushback.