The DFC Intelligence agency sees it very unlikely that the launch date estimates for the new consoles from Sony and Microsoft will be met.
Different market analysts predict that PS5 and Xbox Series X will not launch in Christmas 2020 due to the global pandemic. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) far from reaching its peak of spread, this pandemic is having unexpected consequences in the video game industry as well. Unlike software, which is not so reliably dependent on physical assembly and distribution due to the digital market, hardware is being severely affected by the outbreak.
"The coronavirus is likely to have a major impact in the short term on the sale of both systems."
It is no longer just a lack of supply of units; as in Japan, where there are hardly any physical units of the standard model Nintendo Switch (data provided by Famitsu), but also the plan of Sony and Microsoft to launch their next generation of consoles later this year.
Jim Ryan, CEO of PlayStation, during the PS5 launch event held at CES 2020, Las Vegas
According to DFC Intelligence, an independent analyst agency that Forbes has contacted to address this issue, it is "a state of unprecedented uncertainty." We don't know when normal factory workflow periods will resume, both in China and on the rest of the planet, which now sees the consequences of the coronavirus as the Asian giant did a little over a month ago.
If PS5 and Xbox Series X launch in 2020, their price may be even higher
"The coronavirus will probably have a great impact in the short term on the sale of both systems," they comment. "There is a strong possibility that one or both (PS5 and Xbox Series X) will not launch in 2020," he continues. But it also puts itself on the assumption that they do launch at Christmas 2020, as planned and as it has been said by active and passive in different forums, documents and financial meetings (always before COVID-19). "If the consoles finally launch, supply will likely be constrained and the starting price may be higher than expected."
PS5 | Five main features highlighted by Sony at CES 2020.
The silver lining, according to DFC Intelligence, is that whenever both PS5 and Xbox Series X go on sale, there will be outrageous demand. The public will want new consoles. “The good news is that consumer demand is likely to be stronger than ever. Demand will exceed with increasing supply and, in the long term, this can have an impact on total sales for both, ”he said.
And it ends: “Both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will launch with record consumer demand. The challenge for Sony and Microsoft is to make sure that both consoles meet expectations. "
The reality, de facto, tells us that there will be no E3 2020, although there will be E3 2021. Neither Sony nor Microsoft have spoken at this time about their plans with their respective new consoles.
You can learn everything we know about PlayStation 5 here; In this other report, everything we know about Xbox Series X.
