In just its first month since launch, the PlayStation 5 has already set sales records with a reported 3.4 million units shipped within four weeks. This marks the largest first month of sales for any PlayStation console despite the fact that Sony has been overwhelmed by the massive demand for its latest hardware.
The PlayStation 5 has been sold out in many places around the world since its release back in November. Traditional retailers have struggled to resupply their stock and when they do, the console is usually sold out within minutes. Many PS5 pre-orders are still unfulfilled and will likely remain that way well into January. This has caused many buyers to turn to alternative outlets in the hopes of getting Sony's latest console, which often involves having to navigate scammers. Those who have succeeded, by traditional means or otherwise, are part of Sony's record setting month, which has given the gaming giant high hopes for the coming colander year.
Along with the revelation of Sony's 3.4 million units shipped in the first month, Gematsu reported that, according to a paywalled Digitimes report, production of the PS5 is speculated to reach somewhere between 16.8 and 18 million units in 2021. In order to reach this massive range, console output will be stimulated by downstream production partners in the hopes of turning out more units at a faster rate. As of now, the focus for new shipments will primarily be in North America and Europe with an expansion coming to Asian markets after January.
Sony has not been alone in failing to meet demands this holiday season as Microsoft has also struggled with its Xbox Series X and S. One major contributing factor to not meeting consumer demands is the COVID-19 pandemic, which likely slowed production over the past year. The pandemic also created a worldwide surge in gaming due to people quarantining at home for long periods of time. The combination of these two factors formed a perfect storm that both Sony and Microsoft were not prepared to meet.
Though Sony has big plans for the PlayStation 5 in 2021, gamers may not be so eager to respond after this backorder fiasco. There are likely many players who feel bitter for being deprived of a console they ordered so long ago, and while they may eventually get them, that feeling of goodwill may not come back. Hopefully, Sony will see this as a learning experience and work hard to make up for the disappointments that came in 2020, even if those disappointments were somewhat out of their control.
Source: Gematsu