It is no doubt that PlayStation 5 is one of the most anticipated game consoles of 2020. Even in Malaysia, it got sold out when it was still in the pre-order phase. People really won’t mind buying things as long as it gets hyped enough.

Hence, with the sale of 4.5 million units, it is a success for Sony. Also, the sales mentioned are only covering for the Q4 of 2020 which ended on December 31.

The total revenue for the quarter for the Game and Network Services division was 883.2 billion yen, or $8.4 billion, compared with $6.01 billion a year ago for the same period.

The game software revenue was worth $4.6 billion, while game hardware revenue was $2.28 billion. The network services and other revenue made up the remainder of the division’s sales and operating income was $763 million in the quarter.

Sony claimed that it discovered a distinct increase in software sales and add-on content in the quarter as well as a boost in hardware sales because of the PS5 launch. 

However, it is noted that earnings were reduced in part by selling the PS5 at “strategic price points” that were lower than manufacturing costs. The sales numbers were “sell-in,” or inventory sold to retailers, as opposed to “sell-through” numbers which are those purchased by gamers.

Sony expected a slight increase in sales for the Q1 of this year, ending in March 31 with revenue up 1% higher than previously expected. The PS5 went on sale in mid-November in a head-to-head competition against Microsoft and its Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Sony is on track to meet its fiscal year goal (ending March 31) of more than 7.6 million units but still not enough to meet the demand from the consumers. The engagement in December was 39% higher than the same month a year earlier.

PlayStation 5 is a must-have of 2021 so it is expected for the sales number to increase again. After all, it’s the popularity and good products that contribute for the success of the brand. We believe that’s the secret for Sony.