Updated | PlayStation 5 launch possibly delayed in many Southeast Asia countries as Singapore is treated to a second PS5 pre-order run

Update October 19: Sony has sent a short statement about the Southeast Asia PS5 launch, via MP1ST, which reads:

We can confirm that the PS5 will also become available in MY/TH/ID/PH/VN and that we are currently in the process of preparation towards the launch.

SIES will make announcement on MY/TH/PH/ID/VN release dates and pricing when we are ready. Please keep a lookout for our local announcements on PS5 release in respective countries.

Original story:

Gamers have taken to social media to share concerns that Sony is no longer planning on releasing the PlayStation 5 in their countries before the end of 2020. Fans in the Southeast Asia area have even noticed the tagline “launches holiday 2020” being removed from a number of regional websites for the PS5. Although the term “holiday” may be irrelevant to many in that region, gamers there still know it means November/December, or basically the end of the year. Its removal does seem to indicate a 2021 launch schedule may now be on the cards.

The PS5 websites for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam now simply show an image of the next-gen consoles at the top of their respective landing pages. However, over in Singapore, it is full steam ahead as the landing page still boasts of the November 19 launch date for that country, and there has even been a second wave of pre-orders there recently too. There was a time when PlayStation boss Jim Ryan was convincing us all that the PS5 would launch globally and simultaneously.

Obviously, Sony has got some fair excuses for changing things, with the COVID-19 pandemic deeply affecting the world and all of the best-laid plans. The PS5 launch is already staggered, with the USA, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea enjoying a launch date on November 12 while the “rest of the world” waits until November 19. While that latter term is likely going to include countries such as the UK, Germany, Spain, India, South Africa, Singapore, etc. it’s less likely that nations like Indonesia, China, and Thailand are going to be as fortunate.

Singapore (pop: 5.8 million) is the wealthiest nation in the Southeast Asia region in terms of GDP per capita, although both Indonesia (273.5 million) and Thailand (pop: 69.8 million) have higher nominal GDPs thanks to their much larger populations. It makes sense for Sony to target Singapore if Ryan’s plan of simultaneous global launch is no longer viable (which it isn’t). It is the per capita revenue that counts and Singapore is one of the world’s biggest spenders when it comes to gaming. Unfortunately, the rest of Southeast Asia may have to hope for a PS5 launch in early 2021 unless Sony announces something else soon.