Sony recently issued a statement in relation to several reports that multiple PS5 demo stations are beginning to pop up on various retail stores. On Tuesday, several gaming sites reported these alleged demo stations installed in some stores in the U.K. The reports stemmed from an image leaked online showing a PlayStation 5 demo kiosk being set up.
Sony Issues Clarification
Sony recently issued a statement to IGN amidst reports about several PS5 demo kiosks being set up in some stores. The Japanese giant denied that retail kiosks that were the subject of many reports lately are related to its next-generation gaming console. While Sony did not offer many details on why the displays are there, it appears that these stores were conducting PS4 demos before the novel coronavirus hit the world.
PushSquare reports that an employee of Currys PC World reached out and shared that these alleged PS5 demo stations have been in the store for approximately a year now. The employee also said that the yellow tape was intentionally placed there because of the pandemic. While it does not explain why the console is not on the kiosk, the employee hypothesized that it could be due to theft risk.
PS5 Demo Stations?
Fans and game enthusiasts alike were excited after seeing reports that several stores are starting to set up PS5 demo stations, especially in the U.K. To some, the reports could only mean one thing-stores are ramping up their promotions in preparation for the imminent arrival of the console. The industry has been waiting for Sony to announce the pre-order details, price, and specific release date of the forthcoming console, and it believes that a PS5 demo kiosk is one of the indicators.
The reports were triggered when a Twitter user named IronCoreGame shared an image online showing a standard console demo station. The theme appeared to be after the PS5 since it uses a white color scheme, which is the same as the upcoming gaming console's color. But the image is generic and does not even come with the PS5 logo.
retail stores in the UK are getting #PS5 themed kiosk/area. pic.twitter.com/NzxFa8nXf8 — IRON CORE (@IronCoreGame) July 21, 2020
Earlier, a Sony executive also clarified the issue that it would announce the specific release date, price, and pre-order details of the PS5. Since last week, fans are anticipating that Sony would make the announcement, but nothing happened. According to the executive, Sony would give fans ample time to prepare when it finally opens the PS5 for pre-order.
