- Sony is said to be doubling production of the PS5 to keep up with expected demand.
- It reportedly thinks a possible second pandemic wave could spark interest.
- Facebook may be boosting Oculus VR headset production, too.
You might not have as much trouble finding Sony’s PlayStation 5 when it goes on sale this holiday.
Sources speaking to Bloomberg and Nikkei Asian Review claim Sony is dramatically increasing production for its next-generation game console, from roughly 5 million to as much as 10 million, to keep up with an expected hike in demand. There are concerns about a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic arriving in the fall, and Sony reportedly anticipates many people looking for games to play while they stay at home.
Don’t count on the PS5 being widely available, though. Bloomberg cautioned that Sony might have trouble delivering all those systems before 2020 is over, as the company is primarily shipping them using lengthy sea journeys — flights aren’t as likely due to reduced air travel during the pandemic. You might still have to wait until early 2021 to get the new PlayStation if you don’t act quickly.
Sony declined to comment.
The PS5’s pricing and launch lineup are wildcards that could skew demand.
The PS5 represents Sony’s first major console redesign since 2013, and it could spark a surge in demand thanks to huge performance improvements and strong backwards compatibility with most PS4 titles. Some existing games will receive PS5 upgrades, in many cases for free.
With that said, the PS5’s pricing and launch lineup are wildcards that could skew demand. Many expect the system to be more expensive than the PS4 was at launch (possibly around $500), and you might not rush to buy one without a healthy collection of games that take full advantage of the new hardware.
The tech giant might not be alone in predicting a hot holiday, according to Nikkei. Facebook is reportedly expecting a 50% year-over-year jump in demand for virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Quest. That would amount to just 2 million devices, but it would suggest that VR is growing in popularity at a time when many people are staying inside.
Next: Sony PS5 vs Xbox Series X: What we know about each, and how they compare