However, postponing a launch of this size also entails risks, which neither Sony nor Microsoft want to take. This is because both may find a more optimistic scenario at the end of the year. Losing that window would mean giving up long-standing planning, based on many studies, in addition to allowing the competitor to have a free market in the first months of sale. On the other hand, maintaining the original date becomes an increasingly critical risk. In addition to covid-19 being able to affect the sale of both consoles at launch, social isolation is affecting the production of parts, which may impact the final value. Daniel Ahmad, a senior analyst at Niko Partners, said that only if hardware manufacturers are able to make up for delayed production by the end of the second quarter, the original release date should be maintained. “If manufacturers are unable to operate at full capacity before the end of the second quarter of 2020, we may see an impact on launches of next generation consoles, with limited supply or delayed launches becoming the likely results,” explained Ahmad. Light at the end of the tunnel Last week, Microsoft’s Xbox division chief Phil Spencer told IGN that factories in China were already returning to normal, which would allow the Xbox Series X to launch on schedule. At the same time, he himself acknowledged that the situation is still uncertain and that he will keep an eye out for any news. Sony seems to be following the same path. In March, a Bloomberg report revealed that the company intended to maintain the original PS5 release date, as the pandemic situation in Asia is normalized. At this point, any move could be a huge loss for both companies, so neither Microsoft nor Sony want to take the first step towards eventual postponement. On the other hand, if this proves to be the best way, delaying the announcement of a new date too much can represent a great frustration on the part of fans and, mainly, investors.
