The PlayStation 5 is still on track for its Holiday 2020 launch as per the latest statement from Sony. It was earlier speculated that the console’s launch will be delayed due to the supply chain issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Some games have witnessed an exponential rise in their player base due to more people playing games during the lockdowns, but from a hardware standpoint, it’s been much more difficult getting items into the hands of consumers. The reduction in the workforce and the closure of offices in many countries have caused some serious issues meeting release dates, too. One of the most important games to be delayed was The Last of Us 2, with Sony citing logistic issues for the delay. Iron Man VR, Outer Worlds for Switch, and a number of other games witnessed similar trends with their release being postponed or their development getting stalled altogether.
Sony revealed in its latest fiscal 2019 earnings release (via Verge) that the PS5’s launch has not been delayed despite the ongoing pandemic. Sony cites factors such as the reduction in the physical workforce due to employees working from home and the various restrictions laid down on international travel for creating a number of challenges. As far as software development logistics are concerned, there are no significant problems related to Sony’s own first-party studios or its partner studios.
The release also highlighted Sony’s year-on-year gaming revenue, which was 14% lower this year. With players reluctant to buy a new console at a time when the PS5’s launch is just around the corner, the drop in sales is not at all surprising. However, reversing that trend is something Sony is banking on when it comes to competing against Microsoft in next-gen. Responding to a question about whether the company has failed to keep up to Microsoft’s marketing strategy, Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki, revealed that their focus is on sales instead. Microsoft has been actively marketing the Xbox Series X by revealing various aspects of the console periodically.
With new speculations about the PS5 making rounds on the internet every day, Sony’s recent statements have cleared the air to a considerable extent. While it doesn’t necessarily speak much about the upcoming console, it does make one thing pretty clear – Sony is pretty confident about the PlayStation 5. After the reveal of the PS5 Tech Demo, it seems like Sony is also gearing up for some big reveals in the near future to give consumers that confidence, too. The next-gen consoles do pack a lot of power under the hood, and it’ll be interesting to see what both brands have to offer for the future of gaming.
