With widespread PS5 shipment delays plaguing customers in the UK, the region's biggest game retailer, Game, is blaming the size of the PlayStation 5 for delivery challenges. The PS5 launched in North America, Japan, and some other major markets on November 12, 2020, but didn't arrive in the United Kingdom until today, November 19, 2020. While there have been reports of PS5 shipment delays throughout each region, most of the discussion surrounding the console is about its bevy of launch issues or the excellence of Demon's Souls, essentially the only launch exclusive for PS5 on release.
While some have complained about receiving their current-gen console late, many more haven't even had the chance to be disappointed by shipping delays. PS5 pre-orders sold out quickly, and many consumers are eager for another chance at the console prior to the holiday season. While PS5 Black Friday restocks are coming, they are in limited quantities and virtually everyone looking for the device knows about them, so it will be yet another mad scramble for those wishing to get the newest Sony console. Amazon UK was also one of the retailers that advertised a restock of PS5s prior to the holidays, and it seems those who ordered from Game may have wished they'd gone with the shipping giant instead.
According to a report from The Verge, Game released a statement to customers who ordered a PS5 earlier today. In the statement, Game stated that the "size of the product" has led to "UK wide delivery challengers" that has resulted in some consoles not being delivered on release day. The retailer also took a shot at the delivery service it uses, Yodel, stating that "issues in their delivery network" mean tracking information may not be updated until tomorrow. Although the PS5 has been released virtually everywhere else by now, Game is one of the first - if not the first - major retailers to actually cite that the PS5 size is causing issues with delivery. It's worth noting, however, that other companies like Best Buy have had separate issues with Sony over PS5 shipment delays.
To be fair, the PS5 size is massive, and many PlayStation 5 reviews have pointed that out. That being said, it doesn't appear to have impacted any other region's delivery services, and Game's statement reads a lot worse with context from Yodel. A Yodel spokesperson commented on the company's involvement, stating that the company has been "consistently clear on the order volumes" with Game and that it is "deeply disappointing that Yodel's name has been incorrectly used" in a statement to BBC.
It's upsetting for many that even though they managed to snag one of the few PS5 pre-orders out in the wild, they won't be able to play the console at launch in the UK, and that's understandable. It's a much bigger concern to see a major retailer like Game attempt to lay blame everywhere but itself, however. Simply taking responsibility for any errors on the company's end or not slinging mud at Sony and Yodel would have likely been a better move, but now, Game has put itself in the headlines worldwide for something it probably didn't want to be associated with - PS5 shipment delays and a quirky excuse blaming console size for them.