Eager for an update on the COVID-19 impact on everything Sony is working on right now? The company recently released a financial statement. In that statement, Sony updated investors and fans on what to expect regarding the PS5 as well as games which are under development. Let’s catch up now on the official word.
What Did Sony Say About the COVID-19 Impact?
In its report, Sony talked about conditions at their manufacturing plants in China. They also talked about how there was a “slight impact on production of PS4 hardware” because of supply chain issues. Nevertheless, on the whole, they have managed to remain on track.
The impact of coronavirus wasn’t all negative either. Unsurprisingly, they noted a boost in digital sales during this time period. Sony said, “Sales of game software that is downloaded from the network, as well as PS Plus and PlayStation Now (PS Now) subscriber numbers have significantly increased.”
Indeed, a lot of online games are seeing major increases in activity these days. These include games like EVE Online, Old School RuneScape, World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls Online, Black Desert and others. These online worlds offer a welcome escape from the anxieties of everyday life. They also provide a safe and convenient outlet for entertainment during the COVID-10 quarantine.
Gamers who are looking for an advantage in games like these can purchase in-game currency or trade for useful items. Eldorado marketplace provides access to items and currency as well as boosting services for a huge selection of games. As such, it is a fast and easy one-stop-shop for all your game currency exchange needs.
More on the Coronavirus Impact
What about the PS5 and what about games under development? What is COVID-19’s impact on those? Sony wrote on this matter, “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. 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.”
For full details, you can check out the Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2020 And Outlook for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2021.
So, it sounds like Sony is on track for the release of the PlayStation 5 later this year as planned. That is most excellent news for all of us. Of course, there is a lot which we cannot predict about how the outbreak will continue to unfold. Sony itself acknowledges this high degree of uncertainty in their report. Indeed, the company says, “As uncertainties caused by the spread of COVID-19 have hindered Sony’s ability to reasonably forecast its future earnings, the forecast for both consolidated and business segment results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 is currently undetermined.”
Thus, we have good reason to be optimistic about the timely release of the PS5 and the games which are under development. But it is important for us to keep in mind that there could still be delays. So we should prepare for that mentally as best we can. Indeed, we also still don’t know how much the PS5 will cost.
Sony is sure to make more updates on the situation with respect to COVID-19 as we get closer to the eventual release date for the PS5. So, keep up with our PlayStation news to make sure you don’t miss any updates.