PS5 release date still on track for Holiday 2020, Sony insists despite coronavirus crisis

By Sean Carey,

The PlayStation 5 is still on course for a Holiday 2020 release date. Sony says that the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus has not affected the console's release window and its first-party studios aren't seeing any major problems.

According to Sony, the PS5 still remains on track to launch this Holiday. The report reads, "Regarding the launch of PlayStation 5, although factors such as employees working from home and restrictions on international travel have presented some challenges in regards to part of the testing process and the qualification of production lines, development is progressing with the launch of the console scheduled for the 2020 holiday season."

The report goes on to say that there are no significant issues with game development regarding Sony's first-party studios, "At this point in time major problems have not arisen in the game software development pipeline for Sony's own first-party studios or its partners' studios."

In a report and presentation given to investors, Sony revealed that its Gaming and Network Services division was doing well, but has seen a 14% lower gaming revenue for the year. Sony says this decline is down to lower hardware and software sales due to a decrease in PS4 units sold — which is to be expected, considering the PS5 launch is drawing closer. Sony now states that the PS4 has sold over 110 million units.

On the software side, sales from the PS Store have "significantly increased", along with subscriptions for PS Plus and PS Now. 41.5 million people have subscribed to PlayStation Plus — an increase of nearly 5 million compared to this time last year.

A job listing posted over on a Japanese recruitment website seemingly leaked the PS5's release date as October. Unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be true. Sony has also unveiled a new brand that will be attached to all of its first-party games, PlayStation Studios.

Written by Sean Carey

Hey, I’m Sean! I joined both TrueAchievements and TrueTrophies as a staff writer in 2019. I’m a big fan of the Metal Gear Solid series and love a good narrative adventure. Most evenings you’ll find me failing to get a win in Call of Duty: Warzone.