Since its release in 2020, acquiring a PlayStation 5 has been a real challenge. There are increasing signs that the popular console could also become significantly more expensive in the near future.
The past two years have presented console and graphics card manufacturers with technical and logistical challenges. First, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the business, and the ongoing war in Ukraine is causing another drought in microchip production.
Anyone who has already tried to get hold of a PlayStation 5 probably knows the difficulty of this project. As soon as the popular Sony consoles appear on the market, they are sold out in seconds.
Graphic cards are also often completely out of stock and when they are available, they are often for a very expensive price. In addition to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the shortage is mainly due to the lack of raw materials.
Missing microchips a big problem
After all, not only the video game industry needs a lot of semiconductors. Other sectors of the economy such as mechanical engineering, medical technology and the automotive industry are also affected.
Microchips are now installed more or less everywhere and are therefore needed in many areas. The pandemic caused factories and seaports to stand still for a period of time, stalling console production.
There were also other obstacles that hit the delivery transports particularly hard. A good year ago, the Suez Canal, the most important waterway between Asia and Europe, was blocked for almost a week.
The war aggravates the situation
But the current war in Ukraine is also having a massive impact on transport and, in addition to the shortage that has existed for a long time, could also cause a price increase.
Because Russia and the Ukraine supply many industrialized countries with raw materials such as gas, crude oil, nickel, aluminum, palladium, platinum, copper, iron ore and graphite. Much of it is an essential part of electronic devices like the PlayStation 5.
In addition, Ukraine is an important producer of electrical engineering. Due to the war, the country’s exports have practically come to a standstill, which affects the price and availability of materials.
The massive increase in fuel prices also has an impact on the price of electronic devices. Because the transport costs are higher than before.
Due to the lack of material and the rising costs of raw materials, the production of a PlayStation 5 is also becoming more expensive. At some point, this should also affect the selling price of the console.