It's been a chaotic week for Sony and the PlayStation 5. Rumors of supply shortages and leaks mired the lead-up to the company's PS5 Showcase on Wednesday. This was followed by confusion and pandemonium as online retailers sprung PS5 pre-orders on consumers without warning. Retail sites have crashed, pre-orders have reappeared in the dead of night, and a lot of fans still can't get the next-gen console ordered. So, what happens when PS5 orders run out completely?
Ahead of the PS5 Showcase, there were already rumors about supply shortages and production decreases, which Sony denied. Perhaps because of this, excitement and anxiety were especially high leading up to Sony's PlayStation 5 price reveal and release date. Many fans were eager to get their hands on the next-gen console and were worried there wouldn't be enough supply to meet demand.
Then, despite reassurances from Sony that PlayStation pre-orders wouldn't be a surprise, major online retailers confused everyone by putting up PS5 pre-orders early. What followed was one of the craziest pre-order fiascos in recent memory, as sites crashed from heavy traffic and consoles sold out before many people even knew pre-orders were live. Since then, several retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have restocked pre-orders, and other restocks are likely to take place with other sellers in the coming weeks. However, it's probably only a matter of time before pre-orders dry up completely. So, what happens next?
Will PS5 Orders Run Out?
It's a very real possibility that PlayStation 5 pre-orders will dry up in the coming weeks, as restocks become less common and the console nears its November release date. Console shortages have happened in the past, and because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, this year's production may get hit worse. The important thing is not to panic. Pre-orders may vanish, but Sony is launching an aggressive campaign to make sure there are plenty of PS5s on release day.
According to PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan, the PS5 will have more available units on release day than the PS4 did in 2013. Since more than a million PS4 consoles were sold on its release day, that puts the PS5's number somewhere even higher. Sony has repeatedly denied rumors of console shortages, and the company has told consumers it hasn't cut production. All of this should be reassuring to people who haven't managed to pre-order the console yet, but still want one on release day.
It's understandable for people to be worried, especially since PS5 pre-orders started off so chaotically. However, it appears Sony is doing everything it can to make sure production of the next-gen console can meet the demand. PlayStation 5 consoles are even shipping by air, despite it costing Sony more, to ensure they arrive on time. So, even though pre-orders may run out, the console should still be widely available on release day.
Yes, PS5 shortages may happen, but Sony appears to be trying to make sure it doesn't. And if those shortages do occur, it likely won't be for very long. As the PlayStation 5 nears its release date, keep calm and keep checking those retail sites for pre-order restocks. Even if pre-orders run out, the console should be readily available in November.