We’re in the second year of the PS5, and the latest Sony console is still extremely difficult to find and buy. Most places are still out of stock and even when they get new ones, these PS5s get snapped up in a heartbeat. What is Sony’s solution to this problem?

By increasing production of the PS4.

According to a report by Bloomberg, a Sony spokesperson confirmed that PS4 production would continue this year.

They said:

“It is one of the best-selling consoles ever and there is always crossover between generations.”

While it doesn’t seem to make sense that Sony is making more PS4 to combat the PS5 shortage, there’s nothing they can realistically do for the latter. The chip shortage means that it’s impossible to make more PS5s. The solution to that is making more PS4s, as the older console uses older and less advanced chips. More PS4s could offset even a bit of the demand for PS5s out there. Plus, future PlayStation exclusives like God Of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West will also be available on the PS4, alongside the PS5 version.

Despite the PS5 becoming the fastest Sony console to reach 10 million units sold in July 2021, it has already fallen behind the sales pace of the PS4 since then due to lack of supply. The chips in shot supply include unremarkable but essential gear like power management chips. Chipmakers like Toshiba and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing have warned that the problem will continue into 2022. Many are frustrated by the lack of PS5 supply, including game developers and publishers.

The PS5 will remain in tight supply through 2022 and it will be challenging for the company to produce enough units in order to achieve Sony’s target of 22.6 million sales in the next fiscal year.