PS5: PlayStation expecting to sell fewer new consoles after release in part because of high price, report claims

Sony is expecting to initially sell fewer of the PlayStation 5 than it did previous versions, according to a new report.

The company is forecasting that demand for the new console will be limited when it arrives at the end of this year, a new report from Bloomberg claimed.

It is limiting the initial production in part because it thinks that the high price will put off some early buyers, the site said.

The PlayStation 5 is expected to include a host of ambitious hardware – including very fast storage to allow games to load more quickly than ever – that will allow it to compete with its rival in the Xbox Series X but could also drive up the cost of the PlayStation and put off new buyers, the report said.

Rumours have previously suggested the console could cost around $549 when it first arrives. A final price is not yet believed to have been decided, with Sony struggling to decide how much the new console should cost.

The development of PlayStation 5 has not been substantially delayed by the coronavirus outbreak, Bloomberg reported. But it has been forced to postpone promotional plans, and it may opt not to hold the customary press conference to show off the new console.

Companies such as Apple have been forced to introduce new products through virtual press events and closed briefings rather than the usual public events because of worldwide lockdowns and other issues associated with coronavirus. A number of companies have also been forced to delay products because of difficulties getting to China to plan initial production and other technical issues arising from the pandemic.

The actual look of the PlayStation 5 console is still a secret, even as both Sony and Xbox reveal large amounts of details about their respective consoles. Sony revealed the controller for the new console last week, but was somewhat forced to amid fears that it could leak before it had the chance, Bloomberg also reported.

Sony could finally reveal the design of its console soon for the same reason, given that it is due to go into production in June and will be likely to leak once it does.

Microsoft has already shown off the design of its Xbox Series X. The long, tall box retains much of the same look as the Xbox One X that it replaces, but comes in a new, much higher shape.