The PS5 has proven to be many a gamer’s white whale from Day One (just call me Ishmael), and as it enters its second holiday season, the latest PlayStation console remains atop gift lists across the country. While you could monitor tracking sites, store inventories, or splurge for an overpriced, desperate game bundle, you don’t have to; you could, instead, sign up for the chance to buy a PS5 directly through Sony.
Sony is letting anyone with a PlayStation Network account sign up for their chance to buy a PS5 directly through the company. In virtually any other context, this news would be, well, boring (imagine if Apple made a whole to-do about their new promotion—sign-up here, and you could win the chance to buy an iPhone, full-price, directly through us). There are no discounts or free giveaways, just the privilege to buy the product as you’d normally expect.
Unfortunately, it speaks to the state of affairs we find ourselves in that Sony’s offering here is newsworthy. The PS5 has become so difficult to legitimately find, that having the opportunity to buy one through Sony is actually exciting for many of us.
Because as if it weren’t already difficult enough to get your hands on Sony’s latest PlayStation, 2021 decided to make it harder. The international chip shortage means that electronics across the board are in low supply for high demand. Nintendo’s president also admitted that the company wouldn’t be able to produce as many Switches as they would like leading up to the holiday season.
Sony, of course, is not immune; the PS5 is harder to find than ever this holiday season, so any advantage you can find to grab one of their new consoles this year, you should take.
What else can you buy from Sony?
If you’re chosen by Sony to buy a PS5, you’ll have more options to pick from than just the standard or Digital Edition PlayStation 5; if you’re lucky enough to go through Sony directly, you’ll find the following items available for purchase:
- 1 PS5 console or 1 PS5 Digital Edition (of course)
- 2 DualSense wireless controllers (Bundles, Cosmic Red or Midnight Black)
- 3 DualSense wireless controllers (White)
- 1 PS5 Media Remote
- 1 PULSE 3D wireless headset
How to sign-up for the chance to buy a PS5
The first step is to head to Sony’s official sign-up site. Once there, you’ll need to sign in to your PlayStation Network ID under “Sign-in to register.” Don’t worry if you don’t have PSN ID; you can make one for free by following this link.
Sony may ask you to update your account with additional information. You can choose to do so right away, or click “Do This Later” to continue. However, I wasn’t able to continue without updating my information first, so your mileage may vary here. In fact, the website might just be a glitchy mess because so many people are trying to sign up for their chance to buy a PS5. Be patient, and keep signing in if necessary.
Once you’re logged in, scroll back down to “Sign-in to register” and choose “Sign up.” That’s it. From here on out, monitor the email address tied to your PSN ID, and if Sony picks you, the company will email you a date, time, and instructions for buying your PS5. Make sure you don’t miss that window, however; once your time expires, you won’t have another opportunity to buy.
[PCMag]
