Sony wants to build PS5 consoles faster than it did with PS4, but shortages are making this difficult

Sony would really like to up its PS5 production capacity, but that's easier said than done.

As part of Sony's earnings reveal for Q3 FY2020, the platform holder announced strong results from its Game and Network Services division, which includes PlayStation.

Despite selling the PS5 at a loss, the division had a record quarter off the back of digital sales, as well as PS5 hardware sales. Sony already announced selling 4.5 million PS5 units by the end of December, and that's about as many as it was able to make.

CFO Hiroki Totoki expanded on this point in a follow-up briefing, explaining that semiconductor shortages worldwide are making it difficult for Sony to really expand the manufacturing capacity.

"It is difficult for us to increase production of the PS5 amid the shortage of semiconductors and other components," said Totoki, as reported by Ars Technica.

"We have not been able to fully meet the high level of demand from customers [but] we continue to do everything in our power to ship as many units as possible to customers who are waiting for a PS5."

Totoki added that Sony would like to at least match the PS4 pace, aiming to ship no less than 14.8 million in the next fiscal year (FY2021), if not overtake it considerably.

Semiconductor shortages are, of course, affecting the entire industry. AMD, who supplies the new consoles' SOC, is facing similar shortages in its PC business, and seemingly on the console side as well. The unprecedented demand for tech, and the rise of ruthless scalpers, aren't helping.