SONY has warned gamers that they’ll only have the option to buy the new PlayStation 5 online when it launches next week.
In a blog post on Thursday, the Japanese gaming giant announced that brick-and-mortar stores will not stock the console and urged fans to plan ahead to ensure they get their hands on one.
Sony said the move was made to keep customers and staff safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
“All day-of launch sales will be conducted through the online stores of our retail partners,” PlayStation’s Sid Shuman wrote.
“Please don’t plan on camping out or lining up at your local retailer on launch day in hopes of finding a PS5 console for purchase.
“Be safe, stay home, and place your order online.”
The PlayStation 5 is the latest and greatest gaming machine from Sony, boasting 8K graphics and lightning-fast loading times.
Two version of the console – one that takes discs and a cheaper digital-only edition – launch in the US and other regions on November 12.
The consoles will hit online stores seven days later in the UK and Europe.
A pair of new consoles from Microsoft called the the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S also go on sale next week.
Despite shutting down store sales, Sony said gamers who pre-ordered a PS5 from their local retailer can still pick up their console in-person.
“Gamers who have pre-ordered for pick-up at their local retailer should still be able to do so at their designated appointment time, under the retailer’s safety protocols,” Shuman wrote.
“Please confirm the details with your local retailer.”
As well as coronavirus, it’s likely that the decision was also driven by stock shortages.
Pre-orders for the PS5 ran dry within minutes in September and Sony has yet to release another batch, despite promising to do so.
It’s likely more consoles will become available shortly after launch day.
Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X and its smaller, cheaper sibling, the Series S, will launch on November 10.
The release date covers the UK, US, Australia and a bunch of other countries worldwide.
The disc-free Series S will cost £249/$299, while the Xbox Series X comes in at £449/$499.
Sony has revealed the PS5 release date falls on November 12, but not everywhere.
That date only stands for the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. In the UK, you won’t be able to get it until November 19.
The PS5 proper will cost £449.99/$499.99, while the digital edition comes in at £359/$399.
In other news, Sony recently confirmed that more PS5 pre-orders are on the way.
The next-gen machine sold out within minutes when pre-orders launched on September 17.
And, a PlayStation fan has created an “all black” PS5 that disappointed gamers think looks much better than the real thing.
Are you excited for the new consoles? Let us know in the comments!
