In lieu of the recent COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, Microsoft along with a string of other tech companies have had to reevaluate their supply chain demands, yearly conference gatherings, sales projections as well as product releases among other business ventures.
Shortly after Microsoft reset investor expectations for its upcoming quarter review due to supply-side issues in manufacturing, there have been murmurs that the company may be close to delaying the release of its upcoming next-gen console for similar reasons.
According to a report from a San Diego based research firm called DFC Intelligence by way of Forbes, implies there is a “strong likelihood” that not only could Microsoft’s flagship console be put on ice until 2021, but that Sony may suffer a similar fate with its Playstation 5.
“Coronavirus is likely to have a major short-term impact on the delivery of both systems. There is a strong likelihood one or both systems will not make a 2020 launch. If the systems do launch, supply will likely be constrained and initial pricing could be higher than expected.
Currently, the economy is in an unprecedented state of uncertainty. Even if the situation clears up in a few weeks, the ability to manufacture and release a high-end new game system has already been severely impacted.”
The report goes on to clarify that if and when the consoles are released, that both Microsoft and Sony should see typical early new console-like demands.
While the news is a bit sobering for anyone expecting to snag a new console in 2020, it’s not entirely shocking that either console and whatever Nintendo might be cooking up would be in limited supply.
COVID-19 has touched almost every industry and due to its contagion like nature, it is forcing limited production on almost every front around the world.
