It has been half a year since Sony released the PlayStation 5, taking its massive player base to a whole new generation. Just last month, Sony revealed that the PS5's performance continues to be a huge success, especially since it was able to outpace the 6-month performance of the PS4, and it is expected that the trend would only go up over the coming year.
However, despite the ongoing success of the PS5 on Sony's side, it appears that many gamers are still unable to secure a unit. At the moment, the PS5 remains out of stock in most retailers, and when stocks drop, they are snatched in merely seconds leaving many disappointed. Here is a breakdown of tips that players should keep in mind to increase their chances of getting a PS5.
Subscribe to PS5 Restock Alert Apps, Twitter Accounts, and More
Given that stocks of the PS5 usually disappear from shelves in seconds, knowing when restocks are bound to happen is the key to success. Luckily for players, many websites such as Stock Informer and Now in Stock keep track of when and where restocks will happen. In most of these sites, players simply have to set up an account and select notifications that would ping them either via email, text messages, and browser alerts when it's time for players to grab their wallets.
Alternatively, players who are uncomfortable setting up accounts on websites can also follow several Twitter accounts that also track PS5 restock events. Many Twitter profiles would alert their followers when restocks are happening, such as Wario64, PS5 In Stock Alerts, and many more. Players interested in taking this route should follow any of the aforementioned accounts to receive instant updates when PS5s are available. However, it is worth noting that players should act quickly when these Twitter accounts post restocks, given the vast amount of followers they have who are after the same thing.
Subscribe To Mailing Lists of Video Game Retailers
Apart from PS5 restock alert apps, websites, and social media, which are helpful tools to alert players when stocks of the console are dropping, another way to increase the chances of securing Sony's latest console is to go directly to the websites of video game retailers. Although the majority of retailers list the PS5 as out of stock, most online stores have the option that can notify players when the PS5 is available again via their preferred contact method.
However, as previously mentioned, stocks of the PS5 fly off shelves quickly, so players who get notifications should act almost immediately. It is also worth remembering that as soon as word goes out that retailers have stocks of the PS5, many hopeful shoppers would immediately head over to their websites, which could slow it down. This is why players are recommended to set up accounts with video game retailers to make transactions as smooth as possible.
Commitment is the Key
Given that the PS5 remains one of the hottest commodities in gaming right now, players should be realistic and accept that getting one at this time will be difficult. Knowing when the PS5 is expected to be restocked and preparing everything one would need to secure a smooth transaction is the easy part. The most challenging and frustrating part of the process is putting in the effort and commitment, given that players must quickly respond once notified of a restocking. This entails dropping everything at a moment's notice, staying up late to scan all restock communities for possible leads.
The bottom line is, knowing when stocks are going to drop isn't enough, and players should ensure that their accounts are set up with their payment details and address information already sorted. It's worth noting that time is of the essence when purchasing a PS5, given that a slight delay usually leads to disappointment.
When Will Stocks Normalize, and Why is the PS5 Still Hard to Get?
Although stocks have been more frequent now than it was at launch, it is impossible to pinpoint the exact date, but many believe that stocks of the PS5 won't normalize until 2022. Reportedly, Sony's Chief Financial Officer, Hiroki Totoki, said that "I don't think demand is calming down this year, and even if we secure a lot more devices and produce many more units of the PlayStation 5 next year, our supply wouldn't be able to catch up with demand." Of course, this could be difficult to hear for players who are still unable to secure a PS5, especially since the library of games for the new console is slowly expanding, with many big-name titles expected to release in the coming months.
Although following the tips mentioned above could greatly increase the chances of success, it is worth knowing that the chances of securing a PS5 at this time remain slim. While many factors contribute to the shortage of the PS5, the most major reason stocks are still low is the worldwide shortage of computer chips that make up the console. For the uninitiated, Sony and other electronic companies such as Microsoft struggle to procure necessary components for their products. It remains unclear how long the shortage is expected to last, but rumors are already swirling online that Sony is already looking into redesigning the PS5 with a new chip to alleviate shortages. At the moment, Sony is yet to confirm these rumors, but it is widely believed that the replacement chip for the PS5 will be a semi-customized 6nm CPU from AMD.
Apart from the global computer chip shortage, scalpers and bots are also huge factors contributing to the lack of PS5 stocks. Since the console's launch in November, players have complained about how third-party resellers can procure a huge number of PS5 units. Early this year, a notorious scalping group posted having bought at least 2,000 units of the PS5, which of course, infuriated hopeful owners. In the end, all these factors coupled with the high demand for the console are major contributors as to why stocks of the PS5 are not expected to stabilize until 2022, at the very least.