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The PlayStation 5 will launch on Nov. 12.
The PlayStation 5 will launch on Nov. 12.

Image: Sony

The next generation of gaming is set to start next week with the launch of the Xbox Series X and S (Nov. 10), as well as the PlayStation 5 (Nov. 12). The road to get here has been a long one, complete with slow information drops and a disastrous preorder fiasco, but many of us will soon have our next-gen machines in hand.

If you weren’t able to secure a PlayStation 5 preorder when they dropped (and chances are you didn’t) but plan on getting one as soon as a restock hits, Sony just released a statement that you’ll definitely want to check out. 

In a statement posted to the PlayStation Blog this morning (Nov. 5), Senior Director of Content Communications at SIE, Sid Shuman, confirmed that PlayStation 5 consoles will not be available in stores next week on launch day. “In the interest of keeping our gamers, retailers, and staff safe amidst COVID-19, today we are confirming that all day-of launch sales will be conducted through the online stores of our retail partners,” the blog post reads. 

Shuman also added that those who were lucky enough to secure PlayStation 5 preorders for in-store pickup on the day of launch should still be able to do so — this news just serves to prevent any further in-person sales on Nov. 12, and to avoid excited shoppers lining up in droves at their local retailers. “Be safe, stay home, and place your order online,” Shuman concluded.

You’ll definitely need to have luck on your side when the PlayStation 5 and new Xbox consoles get restocked next week, but we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as they do, so you’ll have a fighting chance at scoring one. 

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