Sony and AMD have shared new details about their ongoing partnership in a recently released video that highlights their joint initiative, Project Amethyst. The discussion featured PlayStation console architect Mark Cerny and AMD’s senior vice president and general manager of computing and graphics, Jack Huynh, who talked about the companies’ shared goals for the next era of gaming hardware and system technologies.
The video primarily focused on three major innovations — Neural Arrays, Radiance Cores, and Universal Compression — which represent key developments for future console architectures. These technologies are still in early stages, existing only through simulations, but according to both Cerny and Huynh, they show promising results in performance and efficiency improvements. The discussion highlighted how these features could help shape the evolution of console design and computing capabilities in the years ahead.
Towards the end of the presentation, Mark Cerny offered a small update that hinted at the future timeline for Sony’s next major console release. “Overall, it’s of course still very early days for these technologies; they only exist in simulation right now,” Cerny said. “But the results are quite promising, and I’m really excited about bringing them to a future console, in a few years’ time.” While he did not mention the PlayStation 6 directly, the statement strongly suggests that development plans are already in motion and that Sony’s next-generation console could be introduced within the next several years.
The PlayStation 5 launched in 2020, with its improved model arriving in 2024, marking a mid-generation refresh that focused on efficiency and modular design. Considering Sony’s typical hardware cycle, these points toward a likely PlayStation 6 release window between 2028 and 2029.
Industry reports have already hinted at potential specifications for the upcoming console. Early projections estimate between 34 and 40 teraflops of graphical performance, supported by a continued collaboration with AMD’s next-generation architecture. It is also expected to maintain a detachable disc drive, mirroring the modular approach of current PS5 systems, which allows users to attach or remove a Blu-ray drive as needed.
Project Amethyst serves as a glimpse into what could define the next generation of PlayStation hardware. The partnership between Sony and AMD has been central to the success of the PS4 and PS5, and this new initiative suggests both companies are preparing to take another major step forward.
While the PlayStation 6 is still a few years away, the ongoing development efforts and early technology previews indicate a clear direction. As Sony and AMD continue to refine these innovations, players can expect the next console generation to focus on higher efficiency, improved computing power, and more immersive gaming experiences when it eventually arrives.
