Technology
PS5 to go on sale on PlayStation Direct store in the UK for the 1st time later this year, Sony confirms
IT’S about to get a little bit easier to buy a PlayStation 5 in the UK.
Sony has confirmed that it plans to sell to sell the largely sold out console direct to customers in Britain for the first time by March 2022.
Gamers are still struggling to get their hands on the largely sold out PlayStation 5[/caption]
Sales will take place through the PlayStation Direct store, which is launching in Europe during the next 10 months.
The company has enjoyed success with the online-only store in the US, where it opened in 2019 and sells consoles, games and accessories.
Plans to expand the marketplace to the UK and Ireland were confirmed during an investor relations event on Thursday, according to VGC.
During the presentation, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan said: “PlayStation Direct has achieved significant revenue in the US market within little more than a year of starting operations.”
Stocks remain low at stores across the globe[/caption]
“We plan for 300 percent further growth within this fiscal year, helped by our upcoming launch in Europe.”
The store is projected to open during Sony’s current business year (FY21) ending in March 2022, according to Ryan.
As well as the UK and Ireland, the store will launch in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
The launch will open up another avenue for European gamers keen to get their hands on a PS5.
Stocks of the next-gen console remain low at stores across the globe due to a worldwide shortage of the microchips used to power them.
PlayStation Direct is Sony’s official store for PlayStation consoles and accessories[/caption]
But the expansion of PlayStation Direct into Europe far from guarantees an easy route to obtaining a new gaming machine.
In the US, gamers haven’t necessarily experienced more success getting hold of one through the official store than through third-party retailers.
Many report being stuck in online queues for hours before they’re notified that the console is out of stock.
Sony released the PlayStation 5 worldwide in November 2020.
The full PS5 costs £449/$499, while a Digital Edition without a disc tray is priced at £359/$399.
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They’re up against the Xbox Series X (£449) and Xbox Series S (£249), which also hit shelves last November.
All four consoles have been sold out around the world, with stock seesawing in and out of availability over the past few months.
PlayStation boss Jim Ryan recently claimed that it would be much easier to get a PS5 from July onwards as production of the console accelerates.
The PS5 launched with major exclusive games like Spider-Man Miles Morales and a revamped version of Dark Souls for players to enjoy.
Xbox gamers, on the other hand, have a new Halo title to look forward to later this year.
Most read in Gaming
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And Dell’s Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
Are you still on the hunt for a PS5? Let us know in the comments!
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