Sony’s launch of pre-orders for thePlayStation 5has not gone smoothly. Not only did pre-orders roll out haphazardly, making it impossible to plan around, but what pre-orders did become available were sold out near-instantly. The chaos has led some retailers, like Walmart, to announce more organized plans online. Unfortunately, now Walmart’s adding even more complications to the situation, as it’s decided to change its plans for in-storePS5pre-orders once more.
Walmart had originally provided prospective PlayStation 5 purchasers a singular date for when they’d be able to make their pre-orders in person. That date was originally September 22, which should have given both storefronts and purchasers ample opportunity to prepare. Walmart has now decided against that plan. Now, instead of being able to pre-order in-store months ahead of thePS5’s launch, people will have to wait for the launch itself.
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In-store pre-orders are reportedly going to be put on pause until the PlayStation 5 releases on November 12 for both the$399 PS5 Digital Editionand the $499 PS5 standard edition. It’s unclear at this point how much, if any, stock of the PS5 will be available when the console launches this November.
Walmart did provide a reason for the change and it’s understandable to a degree. According to Walmart, it’s decided not to do in-store pre-orders prior to launch so as to “control store traffic and keep our customers safe and socially distanced.” There have been photos of other retailers with clumped crowds gathering forPS5 preorders, which may have influenced Walmart’s decision. Walmart will hopefully be better prepared by November 12, though that seems unlikely due to the hype surrounding the next-gen console’s launch.
It’s possible that Walmart is hoping to direct more people toonline PS5 pre-orders, even though online pre-orders are sold out right now. Walmart and other retailers are sure to be making more pre-orders available in the weeks to come, so hopeful pre-orders will definitely have further chances. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to acquire a pre-order, however, and it certainly doesn’t mean that demand will be sated by the time the PS5 launches on November 12.
For the time being, there are no announced reopenings for PS5 pre-orders, whether at Walmart or elsewhere. Some retailers, like Amazon, have even said that they may not be able todeliver existing pre-orders in time for the PS5’s release. Sony has already apologized for the state of the PS5’s pre-order launch, but that doesn’t make it any easier for those hoping to have a PS5 for the holidays.
