As I’m sure you’re well aware by now, Sony’s fifth home video game console is almost here and people everywhere are eager to pre-order a PS5. It launches in less than two weeks on 12 November in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, before arriving everywhere else on 19 November.
Never before has there been so much buzz surrounding a console launch. In case you haven’t heard, the PS5’s pre-order sales in the first 12 hours of availability topped that of the PS4 during its first three months. Impressive stuff. And that might go some way to explain why PS5 pre-orders are just so damn hard to secure. Stories are pouring in from around the world of frustrated customers desperately trying to bag their console for launch day, only for stock to disappear in an instant (if there ever was any to begin with).
Pre-orders began on 16 September with several retailers listing the machines early. This caused an inevitable rush among PlayStation’s most eager fans to get their orders in, with scalpers picking up a load of consoles right away, too. Of course, some of these launch day PS5s were promptly listed on eBay at ridiculously inflated prices. In an effort to combat the ensuing uproar from consumers, Sony took to PlayStation’s official Twitter account to apologise for the mess and promised more stock soon and “through the end of the year”.
Despite Sony’s seemingly sincere apology, stock is still extremely limited with few new listings appearing online since the initial burst. Amazon have even said they can’t guarantee that pre-ordered PS5s will actually show up on launch day. So, with precious little news about more stock coming soon (and the recent introduction of further Covid-19 lockdown measures that may prevent you from getting to a bricks and mortar store on release night), all hope of having a PS5 on day one is dwindling fast.
Throughout this ordeal, I’ve been keeping a close eye on my emotions – such stress isn’t good for anyone and this is undoubtedly the hardest and most frustrating thing we’ve had to face this year. So, to help reassure gamers everywhere that they’re not alone in their struggles, I’ve put together this list detailing the five emotions of being unable to pre-order a PS5.
1. Excitement
Primarily experienced from the 11 June showcase event to the moment pre-orders went live, excitement is as good as it got as far as the emotional spectrum is concerned. The prospect of shiny modern hardware and spectacular-looking new games is enticing and had you counting down the days without a care in the world. You couldn’t wait and felt like a kid at Christmas. But when things went t*ts up, the sobering realisation that you’re no longer the 8-year-old unwrapping a Game Boy with Pokémon on Christmas Day hit. Instead, you’re now 26 and have nothing but socks and deodorant to look forward to. Bummer.
2. Indifference
Okay, so you couldn’t secure a pre-order. Who cares? Certainly not you. You don’t need one for launch day anyway. At least you’re not one of those no-life losers with nothing better to do than sit refreshing a webpage. When you did it you were only half serious anyway, and fully expected to have your order snatched away before you could place it. You did it for science. It was a social experiment. And who knows, you might not even get a PS5. You’re not really that into video games anymore anyway and can just wait until the price comes down. Whatever. It’s a smart financial decision. But hey, if PS5s come back on sale no one would blame you for having a look – right?
3. Confusion
Alright, enough. You want one. You’ve decided there’s no point lying to yourself, and it might actually hinder your chances of securing a pre-order. Time’s ticking away and there’s no good news. There’s still no stock and you’re starting to get a little nervous – disorientated even. Surely there must be stock coming soon? Sony must have anticipated the demand? What if you don’t get the PS5 on launch day? Will you even be able to look at your PS4 the same now it’s all crusty and old? What if your friends get one and you don’t? How will you cope knowing you’re missing out… Nay – how will you cope with the embarrassment of being last to the party?
4. Anger
F*CKKKKKKKKK. What are Sony playing at? You’ve been waiting long enough now and this is just a joke. An absolute joke. If you were running the show, you’d have this process nailed. Who cares if there’s a global pandemic unlike anything we’ve experienced in 100 years impacting logistics and the economy? Getting PS5s into the hands of needy gamers should be the top priority. This isn’t rocket science. And don’t start with this “but more people have pre-ordered PS5s than bought the PS4 in its first three months” rubbish – you don’t want to hear excuses. You just want the machine. You will literally queue up all night at launch and fight children and old people if it means getting one. Oh, and now you’re being told you might not be able to queue because there’s a nationwide lockdown that means non-essential stores will be shut? Great, thanks. Christmas ruined.
5. Despair
You’re sorry you shouted. You just really want one. Please, please, please you beg, as you frantically refresh Stock Informer in a last ditch attempt to pre-order a PS5. This year’s been crap enough as it is and the PS5 would be at least one small silver lining. It’d give you something to look forward to. Something to be happy about. It’s not fair, you’re always last in line. This is bringing back horrible memories of being picked last for sports teams at school. You feel rejected. Rejected by the very thing you’ve poured years of your life into. All that time and money you’ve given to Sony and this is how they repay you? How can you go on knowing that you won’t get to play the very latest video games (despite most of them also being available on the PS4)? Will life ever be the same?
Have you managed to pre-order a PS5 and will you be getting one on launch day? How do you think Sony’s handled all this? Let us know in the comment section and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
–
Featured Image Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment
