The PS5 has been out for a while now. Despite that, Sony’s latest console is proving hard to get, and there are a few key culprits you can blame.
Let’s look at the major reasons you still can’t get hold of a PS5.
The Electronic Chip Shortage
Since the start of the pandemic, there’s been a global shortage of semiconductor chips, which are used in pretty much all things electronic. With that, many industries have been facing supply chain disruptions throughout the pandemic, including the gaming industry.
Because of the lack of semiconductor chips available, companies are stockpiling as many as they can and prioritizing other electronic products ahead of the PS5 in terms of chip allocation.
This all results in Sony producing a limited number of PS5 consoles at any one time, forcing it to drip-feed any stock it has, meaning it can’t meet the demand from consumers.
And, unfortunately, as long as there’s a chip shortage, you’ll find a shortage of PS5 consoles.
Unprecedented Demand for the PS5
Even if PS5 production was running smoothly, you’d still have a hard time getting your hands on the elusive console because of the extreme demand that’s been rampant since the PS5’s launch.
PS5 sales have been boasting some very encouraging figures for Sony, despite console shortages, with Sony selling 2.5 million PS5 consoles on launch day, equating to double that of the PS4 on its launch day.
In a time when most people are staying at home whether or not they want to, eager to get their hands on the latest entertainment devices, the PS5 has seen astronomical levels of hype and demand from gamers all over the globe.
This level of excitement, despite dipping a little since launch, is still incredibly high several months later. There are multiple discussion threads and PS5 stock accounts on social media dedicated to alerting eager gamers of the latest PS5 stock drops, with rumors galore feeding the commotion.
This means that when Sony drops the meager stock allocations of PS5 consoles, they are all snapped up within minutes, though that’s not all because of gamers…
PS5 Scalpers
So there’s a global chip shortage. There’s an incredible amount of excitement and demand for the PS5. And, there’s a huge number of gamers desperate to buy one—some, at any cost.
In come the scalpers.
Though reselling isn’t a new profession, the combination of demand and the sparse nature of the PS5 has seen a massive increase in console scalpers, both for Sony and Microsoft’s latest consoles.
Using inhumanly fast bots to buy up a vast quantity of PS5s during each stock drop, scalpers dry up PS5 stock from retailers, meaning that they can sell the PS5 at whatever price they see fit, which is usually many times above RRP.
With console scalpers, no one else really wins. The companies don’t gain a new player base (and so don’t make money), it deprives gamers of their consoles, and the bad will between everyone just keeps on growing.
It’s easy to see why consumers and companies dislike scalpers so much: it’s sad to think that a PS5 you could have been playing is lying amongst a pile of other PS5s, untouched, in a spare room or warehouse somewhere.
Get the Most Out of Your PS4
So there isn’t just one reason you still can’t get a PS5: there are a few key causes that have combined to become the perfect storm.
Though you can take some comfort because you’re not alone—many other gamers are holding out for when they’ll finally be able to play on Sony’s flagship console.
Despite shaping up to be an incredible console, the PS5 is still lacking a strong library of its own, with several upcoming titles being delayed.
While you wait for the PS5 to get both surplus stock and a strong gaming library, it’s best to use this time to play all of the wonderful games you might have missed the last generation.
