I just can't see this happening. We already have reports that Sony cut it's initial launch allotment by over 25%, from 15 million to 11 million due to chip manufacturing issues. Yes 11 million is still a BIG number but I don't think it is enough to meet holiday demand globally. Consoles will be the must have gift this year - especially the digital versions (cheaper). We already know the digital PS5 is in even shorter supply. While I feel the Series S will do really well with it's payment plan and $299 price, the PS is simply more popular.
So how is your average family going to get their hands on one? Guaranteed they didn't stay up all night clicking on that now hated yellow checkout button on Best Buy. Most don't even know preorders started. We likely will get preorders continuing to trickle in (both BB and Target had some overnight) but in general these will be unannounced, limited, and snapped up by bots.
Yeah bots, it's a real thing. By now every scalper is salivating over the PS5 launch. We are already seeing markups double the MSRP. I suspect this will drop some, but the REAL problem is that unlike other launches, we aren't going to see malls and stores packed with people lining up to get these. It will be almost entirely online orders. Stores are already scaling back in-store black friday events because of the pandemic. With the launch being 2 weeks before, how many units are going to be around for in store black friday? Very few I'm predicting. It's probably the worst time to look for a PS5. Some retailers are already announcing they sold through their ENTIRE 2020 allotment (EB Games Australia is one) and aren't getting more until 2021. Expect more to announce the same.
So how about that online shopping? We all know what that's gonna look like based on yesterday. The scalper sharks are smelling blood and it's gonna be near impossible for your average Karen to buy one online for their spoiled brat. With the Holiday Return Policy at many retailers, they have all the way until January to try to sell them. We aren't going to see the huge returns until after Christmas.
In today's social media driven world, posting that pic of that PS5 in your or your kids hands is gonna be worth that scalper price tag. You can be the Mommy of the Year in your social group when your kid is the only one opening one on Christmas morning. You can be THE MAN among all your friends when you snap playing 2k21 or Madden 21 on that PS5 to all your buddies on launch day. That's what we are looking at this holiday with the PS5. This isn't 2006. Back then you were a huge nerd if you had a PS3 at launch. Now, you're trying to avoid looking like a failure to all your instagram followers if you can't get your kid a PS5 for Christmas.