The PlayStation 5 has been a hot commodity for gamers eager to jump into the next console generation since its release last Fall. Major retail stores like GameStop have struggled to stock PS5s and the consoles have been listed for exorbitant re-sale prices online. Sony has been taking steps to make acquiring the newest console in the PlayStation line easier for fans, but the issue remains prevalent approaching the one-year anniversary of the console's launch.
The constant shortage of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles has been one of the most persistent sagas in the gaming industry over the past year. The launch of the consoles ushering in the next generation for Sony and Microsoft has been plagued by chip shortages, high consumer demand, and the emergence of scalpers looking to profit off the sought-after hardware. Sony has been making efforts over the past year to get more consoles into the hands of the players and, now, the company announced it will be expanding its PlayStation Direct store to meet those ends.
The PlayStation UK Twitter account announced this morning that Sony's PlayStation Direct store will be expanding into several European countries. The service will allow more fans to purchase consoles directly from Sony, rather than relying on the inconsistent re-stocking of retail stores. The European launch begins today as the service officially launched in Germany this morning with plans to introduce the system to the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg in the near future.
The expansion of the PlayStation Direct store into European markets is just the most recent of Sony's efforts to make PlayStation 5 consoles more readily available for players. The gaming juggernaut was recently reported to be flying three Boeing 747s full of PS5s into the UK over the past two weeks for the holiday season. Retail stores like Best Buy, GameStop, and Target have also looked to regularly stock the in-demand consoles, though their supply tends to dwindle quickly upon arrival.
The ongoing supply issues with PlayStation 5 consoles has led Sony to consider several different options to alleviate both retailer and consumer woes. Earlier this year, a Taiwanese outlet reported Sony was considering a hardware revision for the PS5 in order to address the issues with the chip shortage persisting. In official reports, Sony executives have been quoted as saying the supply issues could continue into 2022. Sony has been constantly working to alleviate the shortages with their newest console, but it looks like a full solution may still be a ways off.