Sony's next generation of gaming hardware is starting to take shape, and once again, Mark Cerny is leading the charge. In collaboration with AMD, Sony has launched "Project Amethyst," a long-term R&D initiative that hints at the direction PlayStation hardware is heading — and it's a direction rooted in flexibility, co-development, and cutting-edge GPU innovation.
Announced in late 2024, Project Amethyst is a joint initiative between Sony and AMD. While AMD handles much of the hardware groundwork, Sony's primary role is to push forward with machine learning R&D. The end goal isn't just another console—it's a shared tech platform that will impact everything from future PlayStations to AMD's general-purpose GPUs.
The most recent update, shared via Sony's official channels and unpacked by Digital Foundry in October 2025, laid out three central technological pillars:
1. **Neural Arrays** – Designed to streamline machine learning operations across compute units, these are poised to accelerate tasks like AI-driven upscaling and real-time game logic.
2. **Radiance Cores** – AMD's answer to Nvidia's RT cores, offering dedicated hardware for ray tracing operations.
3. **Universal Compression** – A system-level technique aimed at squeezing more performance out of available memory bandwidth by compressing GPU-bound data more intelligently.
Cerny's vision for PlayStation hardware has always been unique—custom silicon, console-specific innovation, and a deep commitment to developer-friendly design. But with Project Amethyst, there's a philosophical pivot underway.
"We've shifted our focus substantially," Cerny told Digital Foundry. "In the past, we were largely creating custom technologies just for PlayStation platforms. But now... we're placing substantially more of a focus on co-engineering and co-development with AMD on their roadmap hardware and libraries."
This means future PlayStation tech won't exist in a vacuum. Developers will work with tools and hardware that scale across desktops, laptops, and consoles. In theory, this should accelerate the adoption of new features and minimise the friction of working across platforms.
While the [PS5 Pro](https://amzn.to/49iyeZV) (slated for 2026) is getting an upgrade to its upscaling tech with a new version of FSR 4, the longer-term play is even bigger. Machine learning is no longer just a support act—it's quickly becoming central to PlayStation's GPU architecture.
Cerny acknowledges that the field is rapidly evolving, and with that comes uncertainty. "What will machine learning even be in a few years? I think we're all guaranteed to be surprised," he says. But the goal is clear: build an architecture that's powerful and flexible enough to grow with whatever ML becomes.
Universal Compression may not grab headlines like ray tracing, but it's just as important. GPUs are bandwidth-hungry, and as process nodes shrink, scaling memory controllers becomes more complex and more expensive.
"You have indeed spotted the win!" Cerny says, confirming that bandwidth efficiency is now a top concern. With compression tightly integrated into GPU workflows, especially those involving machine learning (such as writing feature maps to system memory), there's significant potential for performance gains.
Ray tracing adoption on [PS5](https://amzn.to/49dl1Sb) surprised even Cerny. With Radiance Cores baked into future GPUs, Sony is betting big on it going mainstream. But these aren't just clones of Nvidia's RT cores—they're AMD's own take, optimised for the Amethyst ecosystem.
As with any new tech, its full potential depends on what developers can do with it. "I suspect we'll need to get prototypes into the hands of game developers to understand the degree to which they will be able to 'level up' their engines," Cerny admits.
While conventional rasterisation still matters, Cerny is clear: the real leap forward is coming from ray tracing and ML. Raster improvements will happen, but they're no longer the headline act.
Project Amethyst represents more than specs or features. It's a shift in how Sony builds consoles. Instead of chasing isolated performance wins, Sony and AMD are co-engineering a unified platform that spans ecosystems.
This also means game developers could have access to deeper ML toolchains, potentially even low-level hardware access—something previously reserved for only the most specialised tasks. That could open the door to entirely new types of game experiences. Such types adapt, learn, and render in ways that weren't possible before.
Cerny's PlayStation legacy is defined by smart, surgical innovation. But with Project Amethyst, we're seeing something more collaborative and expansive. If the PS5 was about laying the foundation for immersive gaming, the next PlayStation looks like a step toward intelligent, adaptive, and scalable game development.
The road to the next console won't just be about teraflops or resolution—it's about redefining what the GPU can do in a world where AI and real-time rendering are converging fast. Cerny and Sony aren't just building a new box. They're helping shape the industry's hardware future.
What Is Project Amethyst?
Announced in late 2024, Project Amethyst is a joint initiative between Sony and AMD. While AMD handles much of the hardware groundwork, Sony's primary role is to push forward with machine learning R&D. The end goal isn't just another console—it's a shared tech platform that will impact everything from future PlayStations to AMD's general-purpose GPUs.
The most recent update, shared via Sony's official channels and unpacked by Digital Foundry in October 2025, laid out three central technological pillars:
1. **Neural Arrays** – Designed to streamline machine learning operations across compute units, these are poised to accelerate tasks like AI-driven upscaling and real-time game logic.
2. **Radiance Cores** – AMD's answer to Nvidia's RT cores, offering dedicated hardware for ray tracing operations.
3. **Universal Compression** – A system-level technique aimed at squeezing more performance out of available memory bandwidth by compressing GPU-bound data more intelligently.
Cerny's Shift in Strategy
Cerny's vision for PlayStation hardware has always been unique—custom silicon, console-specific innovation, and a deep commitment to developer-friendly design. But with Project Amethyst, there's a philosophical pivot underway.
"We've shifted our focus substantially," Cerny told Digital Foundry. "In the past, we were largely creating custom technologies just for PlayStation platforms. But now... we're placing substantially more of a focus on co-engineering and co-development with AMD on their roadmap hardware and libraries."
This means future PlayStation tech won't exist in a vacuum. Developers will work with tools and hardware that scale across desktops, laptops, and consoles. In theory, this should accelerate the adoption of new features and minimise the friction of working across platforms.
Machine Learning Moves Front and Centre
While the [PS5 Pro](https://amzn.to/49iyeZV) (slated for 2026) is getting an upgrade to its upscaling tech with a new version of FSR 4, the longer-term play is even bigger. Machine learning is no longer just a support act—it's quickly becoming central to PlayStation's GPU architecture.
Cerny acknowledges that the field is rapidly evolving, and with that comes uncertainty. "What will machine learning even be in a few years? I think we're all guaranteed to be surprised," he says. But the goal is clear: build an architecture that's powerful and flexible enough to grow with whatever ML becomes.
Compression and Bandwidth: Silent but Vital Battles
Universal Compression may not grab headlines like ray tracing, but it's just as important. GPUs are bandwidth-hungry, and as process nodes shrink, scaling memory controllers becomes more complex and more expensive.
"You have indeed spotted the win!" Cerny says, confirming that bandwidth efficiency is now a top concern. With compression tightly integrated into GPU workflows, especially those involving machine learning (such as writing feature maps to system memory), there's significant potential for performance gains.
Radiance Cores and the Ray-Traced Future
Ray tracing adoption on [PS5](https://amzn.to/49dl1Sb) surprised even Cerny. With Radiance Cores baked into future GPUs, Sony is betting big on it going mainstream. But these aren't just clones of Nvidia's RT cores—they're AMD's own take, optimised for the Amethyst ecosystem.
As with any new tech, its full potential depends on what developers can do with it. "I suspect we'll need to get prototypes into the hands of game developers to understand the degree to which they will be able to 'level up' their engines," Cerny admits.
Rasterisation Isn't Dead—But It's No Longer the Star
While conventional rasterisation still matters, Cerny is clear: the real leap forward is coming from ray tracing and ML. Raster improvements will happen, but they're no longer the headline act.
A Console That Feels Like a Platform
Project Amethyst represents more than specs or features. It's a shift in how Sony builds consoles. Instead of chasing isolated performance wins, Sony and AMD are co-engineering a unified platform that spans ecosystems.
This also means game developers could have access to deeper ML toolchains, potentially even low-level hardware access—something previously reserved for only the most specialised tasks. That could open the door to entirely new types of game experiences. Such types adapt, learn, and render in ways that weren't possible before.
Looking Ahead
Cerny's PlayStation legacy is defined by smart, surgical innovation. But with Project Amethyst, we're seeing something more collaborative and expansive. If the PS5 was about laying the foundation for immersive gaming, the next PlayStation looks like a step toward intelligent, adaptive, and scalable game development.
The road to the next console won't just be about teraflops or resolution—it's about redefining what the GPU can do in a world where AI and real-time rendering are converging fast. Cerny and Sony aren't just building a new box. They're helping shape the industry's hardware future.