A new Bloomberg PlayStation 5 report released this morning. According to the outlet’s sources, Sony will restrict PlayStation 5 production and availability in the first year after predictions forecast lower sales thanks to the PlayStation 5’s price.
The report says Sony is hovering between $499 and $549 for the PlayStation 5 price. However, it could potentially sell for a loss — around $459 — depending on how aggressive Microsoft is with the Xbox Series X price point. As expected from previous reports, the price is entirely due to the system’s specifications and hardware.
Bloomberg also noted the manufacturing decisions are not related to coronavirus impacts. The only way COVID-19 has affected PlayStation 5 is in throwing off the timing of its reveals, including the recent, hasty DualSense controller reveal.
Though price reportedly weighs heavily into the decision-making process, Bloomberg mentioned the manufacturing forecasts for PlayStation 5 are in keeping with the PlayStation 4’s first two quarters. Sony will ship 5 to 6 million PS5 units by the end of the fiscal year in March 2021, while the PS4 sold 7 million units in its first two quarters — before going on to smash milestones in the following years.
Finally, the Bloomberg report reiterates Sony’s PS4 plans as mentioned in an earlier report. The media giant does not anticipate a large number of consumers switching over to the PS5 around launch, and it’s planning on increasing PS4 ownership and PS Plus membership to help offset losses and keep momentum high.
That fits with what we know about cross-gen games, and according to Bloomberg, it also means Sony will likely slash PS4 prices around the time the PS5 launches.
The full report is over on Bloomberg’s website, though it may be behind a paywall. Stay tuned to GameSkinny for more PlayStation 5 news as it develops.
