It’s hard to find PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X since both consoles were released in November, but it looks like the two could become even more scarce due to the global shortage of semiconductors. According to The Guardian, the shortage began after factories closed during the coronavirus pandemic. Although chip production has resumed, demand currently far exceeds supply and looks set to have an impact on several industries. With Sony and Microsoft struggling to meet demand right now, the shortage couldn’t come at a worse time for both companies and the video game industry in general.
In the piece for The Guardian, Neil Campling, Mirabaud’s technology and media analyst, said at the outset that the current level of demand is unprecedented.
“Chips are everything,” Campling said. “There’s a perfect storm of supply and demand factors here. But basically, there’s a new level of demand that can’t be maintained. Everyone is in crisis and getting worse.”
Of course, this news will be daunting for those currently looking for a new generation console. Over the past few months, resellers have made PS5 and Xbox Series X incredibly hard to come by, and chip shortages could exacerbate that problem. Sony launched an ambitious sales target of 6 million units ahead of the PS5 launch, and The Guardian says Sony may lose its targets as a result of the shortage. Similarly, the Xbox Series X could remain scarce until the second half of 2021.
The news shows the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic continues to present challenges for the video game industry. From changes in remote development, to the cancellation of face-to-face sports competitions, it is clear that the impact of the pandemic on the industry will continue to be felt for a long time to come. Of course, GameStop is another company that can lose in this situation. The retailer has had several difficult years between declining interest in PS4 and Xbox One and the coronavirus pandemic. GameStop introduced a strong fourth quarter in 2020 thanks to next-generation systems, but if PS5 and Xbox Series X are still scarce, this could hamper the company’s progress.
It remains to be seen whether or not chip makers will be able to increase production to meet demand, but semiconductors are used in many different products, including cars, phones and televisions. Sony and Microsoft will have to compete with many other potential customers to get more.
Have you already managed to acquire a new generation console? Are you worried that the global shortage of chips will make them harder to find? Let us know in the comments or share your thoughts directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp to talk about all the games!