Expect low PlayStation 5 production and higher prices due to expensive parts

Get ready for the next shortage: Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 5 output will be significantly lower than that of the PlayStation 4 when it launched in 2013. News of the low initial availability comes from a Bloomberg report, which said the lower production figures are due to the cost of parts, not the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, as many might expect. Sony told its partners it plans to produce between 5 million and 6 million PS5 consoles in the first few months compared to the more than 7.5 million units of the PS4 that sold in a similar time frame post-launch. The PS5 will reportedly cost between $500 and $550 at launch, slightly higher than expected. The current-generation console, the PlayStation 4, sold for $400 at launch, and the older PlayStation 3 went for $500 — a price point blamed on the console’s failure to draw in gamers at first. Scarce components raised the break-even point for Sony to around $450 on the PS5, according to Bloomberg. Though consoles are known to launch at prices that make their parent companies take a loss on each unit, the report implies that Sony will not go that route with the PS5. Now, Sony finds itself in a standoff with Microsoft, as neither have officially revealed the price points of their upcoming consoles. Microsoft has, however, provided more details on its anticipated Xbox Series X. “We must keep PlayStation 5’s bill of materials under our control,” Sony’s Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki said during an earnings briefing earlier this month. “We need to make the correct number of units in the initial production.” Sony remains unwilling to share many details on the PS5. It revealed the look of its new DualSense controller earlier this month but hasn’t still shown what the actual next-generation console will look like. Last month, Sony detailed the PS5’s specs in a stream with system architect Mark Cerny, and showed off the significant upgrades the console will pack under the hood. Most PS4 titles will also work with the PS5, though not all. With just months before the PS5 and Xbox Series X are released during the holiday 2020 season, it won’t be long before fans get full clarity about what to expect — and at what cost. Sucker Punch’s upcoming Ghost of Yotei promises yet another authentic dive into Japan’s rich history and culture. The first game, Ghost of Tsushima, was the PS4’s swansong thanks to its breathtaking visuals, novel approach to open world design, satisfying combat, and respect for history. That game is certainly worth experiencing first if you haven’t played it yet, but it won’t help prepare you for Ghost of Yotei beyond getting familiar with how the game is played. This sequel takes place in a different time, location, and with a new protagonist. We don’t know everything about the plot, of course, but I have been able to pull together all the important historical and cultural details that Sucker Punch has highlighted as being focal points in the game. Let’s take a dive into the history and culture Ghost of Yotei aims to explore when it comes out on October 2. The biggest PS5 exclusive of the year is right around the corner, and millions of us are already sharpening our katanas in anticipation. Ghost of Yotei is the follow-up to 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, which revolutionized the look and feel of open world games. Beyond being a visual masterpiece and featuring a rich story that honors the real history of Tsushima, the approach to game design was unlike anything we had seen before. This sequel looks to build upon all those factors, only now set hundreds of years in the future, with a new protagonist named Atsu on a quest for revenge. The only thing the wind can’t guide you to is the preload details, which is where I come in to make sure you can start your journey as soon as possible. Ghost of Yotei release date I’ve never felt less certain in myself than I have in the past few months. Professionally, I have found myself in a dream position, but the way I got here felt more like an accident than something I earned. Personally, I have fallen into a routine so consistent that NPCs have more complex patterns. Having full control over my work should be a blessing, but it has only saddled me with immense doubt over my abilities. Was I ever really talented, or was it just the oversight of others that made my work even passable? It is all textbook imposter syndrome, yet recognizing it doesn’t make it any easier to overcome. I was late to the party with Hollow Knight, only getting around to it on my PS5 after it had been on PS Plus for who knows how long. I was well aware of its reputation at that point, but was worried that the expectations the internet had set for me would be too high. To some extent, that was true; I deeply enjoyed the experience but don’t hold it up as the pinnacle of game design. As a cozy experience that I chipped away at 45 minutes at a time before bed, it was perfect. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.