If you register with Sony, you might get a PS5 purchase invite in November

With the way things have been going, that’s a big ‘might,’ but it’s worth throwing in your name

I imagine it’s easy to lose hope and just stop actively trying to buy a PS5 for the time being, but if it’s not a big hassle, you may want to try this out. Sony is letting US-based customers register for a chance to directly buy a PS5 from PlayStation via invite only, which could sidestep some woes with bots and crowds and crowds of bots.

It’s funny when Arnold Schwarzenegger consistently struggles to find a “Turbo-Man doll” for his karate-chopping kid, but no one’s laughing at the hoops that hopeful PS5 owners have been jumping through for a chance — just a chance — to get the console.

“This coming Holiday season, we will have a limited amount of PS5 Consoles available for customers in the US to purchase direct from PlayStation,” according to the site. “If you are interested in receiving an invitation, register below. If selected, we will contact you via email with instructions and details.” PS5 purchase invitations will be sent in November.

Sony says it’s selecting customers based on “previous interests and PlayStation activities,” and as such, you’ll need to use a PlayStation Network ID to register. “Please make sure your email address is the one associated with your PSN ID and that you are opted in to receive PlayStation emails.” To do that, look for a “Notifications” section in your PSN Account Settings — there’s a checkbox for “Receive Email Notifications.”

If selected, you’ll get an email with details about when you can buy a PS5, including a date and time; the invite doesn’t last forever. You’ll be able to buy a single PS5 with a disc drive for $499 or a disc-less PS5 Digital Edition console for $399. For accessories, quantities will be limited to two Cosmic Red or Midnight Black DualSense controllers, three white DualSense controllers, one PS5 Media Remote, and one Pulse 3D wireless headset.

“As long as your product selection falls within unit limits, you may order as many or as few products as you’d like,” according to Sony. PS5 consoles “will be limited to those invited to order,” but PS5 games and accessories “will be open to the general public.”

Last note: Sony will take Visa, Discover, and MasterCard, and “as long as you ship to a US-based address, your order reservation will be allowed.” Other orders will be canceled.

With all of that said, good luck to everyone out there who’s been struggling.

It’s a shame this method hasn’t been the widespread norm since last year’s PS5 launch.