KEY POINTS

  • Sony is unable to meet the high demand for PS5s given the current world situation
  • The chip shortage is expected to last until 2022
  • Sony hopes to compensate by redesigning the PS5 with material efficiency in mind

PlayStation fans who are still looking for a PS5 may have to wait a little longer before console availability stabilizes as the shortage of the next-gen gaming console is expected to last well into 2022. Hopeful buyers will have to put up with how PS5s are getting sold right now for a little bit longer than expected.

The global semiconductor shortage is showing no immediate signs of relief. In a sales briefing, Sony chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki told analysts that the company has been having difficulties meeting the high customer demand for PS5s amid the semiconductor shortage and the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomberg reported.

“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,” Totoki said.

The Global Chip Crisis has affected almost every industry that requires semiconductors, from gaming consoles to automotive production. The crisis was previously expected to subside before the end of 2021, but now, experts said the shortage may last until 2022 or until the factors that caused the shortage in the first place are resolved.

As well as sales in the gaming sector, Sony's strong earnings were driven by strong performance for imaging sensors
As well as sales in the gaming sector, Sony's strong earnings were driven by strong performance for imaging sensors AFP / Kazuhiro NOGI

In terms of game development and technology, the gaming industry itself won’t be severely hampered by the shortage. However, consumers will have to bear with the lack of gaming consoles in the market, while PC gamers will have to pay premium prices for essential computer parts. GPUs in particular have seen exorbitant price hikes.

Sony previously attempted to increase its production rate of PS5s by requesting aid from suppliers, but the recent developments, as reported by Bloomberg, implied that Sony may not have been successful in its attempt.

Recently, Sony announced that it is going to redesign the PS5 to compensate for the global chip shortage. This redesign is expected to mostly affect the console’s internals. Lowering the amount of silicone required by its internal components may prove to be enough for Sony to meet the high PS5 demand across the globe.

For now, gamers will have to bear with the low supply of PS5s in their local stores as the rest of the world tries to deal with the chip shortage.

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