Advertisement

Sony seeing strong PS5 demand ahead of launch

Gaming has been a rare business winner during the global health crisis, and that's good news for Sony as it prepares to launch a new console.

The Japanese firm said it has seen 'very considerable' demand for its upcoming PlayStation 5.

It pre-sold as many PS5 consoles in the first 12 hours in the U.S. as in the first 12 weeks of its predecessor - the PlayStation 4.

That's according to Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan during an interview with Reuters.

The PS5 launch comes with many buyers staying at home due to the health crisis.

While that has helped boost console makers, it has also disrupted key parts of the gaming industry - including manufacturing supply chains.

Ryan said it's likely that 'not everybody who wants to buy a PS5 on launch day will be able to find one'.

But he said the company is working to ensure supply for the important year-end shopping season.

The PS5 is expected to be the first next-generation device not to push the gaming division to an annual loss in its launch year.

It is due to launch on November 12.

The console update comes as Sony reported a surprise jump in quarterly earnings on Wednesday (October 28).

Profit between July-September reached $3 billion, up almost 14% from a year before and well ahead of analyst forecasts.

The tech giant also raised its annual profit forecast to almost $7 billion.

Sony shares are up 47% from their March lows, and climbed another 1.8% on Wednesday.