Why Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pre-Orders Are a Joke
I don’t like pre-orders any more than you do. I certainly hate it when products, available only in limited quantities, go straight to eBay – even before their launch date – at absurdly overpriced prices. And Sony is making you even better for the anticipated PlayStation 5 launch in November: pre-order pre-order.
At least that’s how it is. If you want to try ordering a console directly from Sony, you’ll have to jump through the hoops of its quirky pre-order registration system , which requires you to sign up to be “invited” to pre-order your console “based on PlayStation’s previous interests and activities.”
Yes, that’s right: you subscribe to receive an exclusive opportunity, possibly pre-ordering the console. Registration is not a guarantee. And just as you might be chosen to move from registration to pre-order, it’s also possible that you won’t be able to pre-order the PlayStation 5 due to inventory shortages, even if you receive a dedicated golden ticket via email. As Sony writes:
No. Each invite is open for a limited time and the number is limited for each PSN ID per transaction:
- 1 PS5 console or 1 PS5 Digital Edition
- 2 wireless DualSense controllers
- 2 charging stations DualSense
- 2 Pulse 3D wireless headsets
- 2 remote controls
- 2 HD cameras
The PS5 console will be pre-ordered on a first come, first served basis.
If I were you and clamored for a PlayStation 5, I would see Sony direct selling as part of a larger shopping strategy. Sign up for a reservation today, of course, and check your email like a hawk as soon as the actual pre-order date becomes widely available, but don’t expect Sony to meet your gaming needs. Sign up for pre-order notifications from other retailers like Gamestop , Best Buy , Target , Walmart, and Amazon (if or when they offer them) as you may have to try all the options available if you’re going to get your hands on this long awaited console at startup.
And while you do, please do not pre-order the digital PlayStation 5 . Even if you save a little money in advance, it’s not worth it. You will likely end up paying more for your digital games than your physical ones, which are much more likely to have all kinds of sales and discounts from various retailers.