The PS5 is now here, and it’s been released across the globe. It was a launch celebrated internationally with light shows and all kinds of fanciness. It’s no doubt been frustrating for some who were unable to get their own system as well. The system launched among the worst pandemic in about 100 years, and many even predicated that it and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S would probably be pushed back into 2021 due to the massive amount of issues COVID-19 was causing. Jim Ryan recalls the challenge.
Speaking to TASS, the CEO of PlayStation talked about the many struggles of launching during these times. While he said they’re happy that the system was able to get out on time, due to the disruptions in Asia during the initial COVID outbreak wave that basically shut down traditional production it was a stressful and uncertain time. Prep was even being done by remote camera at one point.
“I guess my two principle feelings are one of happiness as things appear to be going well, and secondly of relief – we did it in this unusual, strange and frankly rather difficult year. Of all the things that I’ve learned this year, one is that I wouldn’t plan on doing another big console launch in the midst of a global pandemic, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody else. It’s been difficult, it’s been challenging from the production side, not being able to get anybody into the factories in Asia… Before we started production, we had to do all the manufacturing preparation by camera remotely. I mean, just imagine that for a precision device like the PlayStation 5.”
Hopefully, Ryan gets his wish and when we do this again in 7 or so years we won’t be in the midst of a new pandemic. COVID aside, the PS5 is now available worldwide for those that are able to find one.