The hunt for a PlayStation 5 has now rolled into 2022, and while issues surrounding chip manufacturers are not expected to be solved anytime soon, Sony has just provided some more positive news that will hopefully help those in Europe to secure one even faster.
As consumer demand for the PS5 failed to be met throughout much of 2021, Sony took it into its own hands and started offering consoles via its own PlayStation Direct store. The problem is that you can only get one through Sony's exclusive invitations program, which would choose PlayStation account holders at random (who opted-in) to purchase the console. Even then, we've seen those selected leave with nothing due to stock shortages.
The alternative was to wait for one of these queues to open up to the public and hope you could snag one before they all sell out. Now though, Sony has opened up registrations to a lot more countries across Europe.
This is great news as previously only those in the US could sign-up to be notified of any new stock drops. The service has now opened up to include the following countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
To register, simply head to the PlayStation Direct registration page and sign-up with the email address tied to your PSN account. It's also recommended that you opt-in to receive emails from PlayStation. Once a PS5 buying opportunity becomes available, Sony will email you directly and (in theory) you should be able to log on, avoid the chaos and walk away with a new console.
We'll have to wait and see how effective this method is for consumers. After Microsoft announced its intention to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 billion, it would be smart for Sony to get as many PS5 consoles in as many homes as possible. To keep up with the latest stock drops, head on over to the official T3 PS5 restock tracker.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Matt is a freelance writer for T3, covering news and keeping up with everything games, entertainment, and all manner of tech. You can find his work across numerous sites across the web, including TechRadar, IGN, GamesRadar, Tom's Guide, Fandom, NME, and more. In his spare time, Matt is an avid cinema-goer, keen runner and average golfer (at best). You can follow him @MattPoskitt64
-
Sony PS Vita 2 could snatch the handheld crown from Switch 2 and Steam Deck
Industry experts "confirm" Sony is working on an all-new handheld console
By Rik Henderson Published
-
All PS Plus members getting arguably the best PS5 co-op game ever for free
You just need the two of you
By Rik Henderson Last updated
-
I sold my PS5 to upgrade to the PS5 Pro and it might have been a mistake
Do I regret it? Ask me again in six months...
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
PlayStation Portal just got a game-changing free update
Turns it into one of the best gaming handhelds around
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Has the PlayStation Black Friday sale started yet?
The PlayStation Store's big Black Friday sale is now underway and includes consoles
By Rik Henderson Last updated
-
PS Plus gets one of the best games ever made for PS5 and PS4 for free
And one of the PS5 Pro Enhanced launch titles too
By Rik Henderson Published
-
PS Plus reportedly getting the survival horror that kickstarted the whole genre
One of the true classics of horror gaming is said to be coming to the library
By Rik Henderson Published
-
All PS Plus members get one of best-looking action games on PS5 for free
Available to download through PS Plus today
By Rik Henderson Published