The PS5 is now closer to the one-year mark than its launch. However, it won't surprise you to hear that plenty of people are clamoring for Sony's elusive console.

There are still stock issues and console scalpers and, combined with the still-frenzied demand, the PS5's production simply isn't meeting its demand.

So, how can PS5 production finally meet demand? Let's dive in.

Two Standout PS5 Stock Problems

A PS5 on its side with a DualSense controller on it

Since its launch, the PS5 has faced constant stock issues. There are two notable reasons for this, besides the incredibly high demand for Sony's current-gen console: the global chip shortage and console scalpers.

Problem One: The Global Chip Shortage

Since the start of the pandemic, there's been a global shortage of semiconductor chips, which are used in nearly all electronic devices, including the PS5.

Because of this still-ongoing shortage, it limits the number of PS5s Sony can produce. And, while Sony is still selling record numbers of PS5s, you'll find stock drops gone within seconds partly because of these reduced numbers.

Related: How Electronic Component Shortages Are Affecting the Gaming Industry

Problem Two: Console Scalpers

Console scalpers have been drying up PS5 stocks—as well as stocks of the Xbox Series X/S—from day one, resulting in a somewhat chaotic launch for both Sony and Microsoft.

Unfortunately, this has continued since the launch of the PS5, with console scalpers using inhumanely fast bots to buy up what little stock is being released then flipping it for multiple times the recommended retail price (RRP).

Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions to These Problems

A PS5 standing up with the image focused on the Sony logo.

The global chip shortage and console scalpers are both troublesome problems to solve, the former because of the strain it presents on a world that consumes many electronic devices; the latter because of their evolving and exploitative nature.

However, there are both short-term and long-term solutions that Sony, retailers, and ourselves, as passionate gamers, can carry out to help ensure PS5 production meets demand sooner rather than later.

Short-Term: Sony Should Acquire As Many Semiconductor Chips As It Can

A short-term solution to the global chip shortage is for Sony to gain as many chips as it can. This is easier said than done, however, as many companies are trying to stockpile semiconductor chips, with other devices, such as mobile phones and cars, taking priority over the PS5.

Fortunately, Sony seems to be trying to do this already, with Sony's CEO, Jim Ryan, stating that PS5 production "is ramping up over the summer". Hopefully, this can provide some easing of PS5 stock, perhaps even over the 2021 holidays.

A DualSense controller resting on a PS5

Long-Term: Help Resolve the Global Chip Shortage As Quickly as Possible

Unsurprisingly, a long-term solution to the global chip shortage would be to resolve it. Again, this is far easier said than done, with the demand for electronic devices surging during the pandemic amidst reduced stock.

It's upon powers larger than ourselves to tackle the global chip shortage directly and, thankfully, that is happening, with President Biden signing an executive order investigating semiconductor shortages earlier in 2021.

To help, companies such as Sony could look for alternative means of securing or producing semiconductors while we, as consumers, could reduce our demand for electronic products.

While this isn't a movement that would happen overnight or directly solve the semiconductor shortage, every little step forward helps.

Short-Term: Retailers Must Work Harder to Produce Effective Anti-Scalping Measures

Now, on to console scalpers.

A short-term solution is for retailers to produce effective anti-scalping software or techniques to put scalpers off buying up most PS5s during stock drops.

Strangely enough, very few retailers have taken up any anti-scalping practices at all, but there are some exceptions. For example, the UK retailer, Currys, allows you to sign up to a PS5 lottery to increase the likelihood that you're given a fair shot when trying to secure a PS5.

South Korean retailer, Gamewoori, is also fighting back against console scalpers that have pre-ordered a PS5 from the game shop purely to sell it on. Gamewoori uses the receipts that scalpers display as proof of purchase to locate and cancel their pre-orders, which it can now sell to a genuine customer.

It's great to see retailers pushing back against scalpers, yet this isn't nearly enough when the vast majority of retailers aren't doing anything and instead issuing an empty apology every so often.

You could forgive retailers for underestimating the level of hype combined with console scalping in the first few months of the PS5's launch, but now that it's been several months with no effective anti-scalping practices in place for most retailers, that's just not good enough.

One potential positive is that when in-store buying and collection return, it should be harder for scalpers to buy up lots of PS5s. Here, retailers can make things more difficult for console scalpers buying through multiple cards and addresses by issuing something like a 'you can only order one PS5 and you MUST pick it up in store' policy.

Long-Term: Don't Give Scalpers Your Time and Money

Ultimately, what feeds scalpers is demand and limited supply. And, with the PS5, they have both.

The best thing you can do to reduce console scalping in the future is to not give these people any of your time and money. Do not interact with them, do not let their boasts entice you to join them, and absolutely do not buy a PS5 from them, no matter how close to the RRP it is.

If you do, you're essentially encouraging scalpers not only to keep doing what they do but to get better at it, as you've shown that as long as they keep limiting supply, people will submit.

In the short-term, there's going to be demand that scalpers can take advantage of. But, as people become more patient, console scalpers will crumble.

Related: How to Stop PS5 and Xbox Series X Scalpers From Winning

Time Will Also Play Its Part

A person holding a DualSense controller

The third factor that will help the PS5's production meet its demand is time.

Yes, the PS5's hype is still incredibly high and even though some interest has gone, many, many people are still eagerly anticipating getting their hands on a PS5. However, the PS5 is going to be around for years, and as time goes on, the combination of hype dying down and more people securing the PS5 will reduce the exclusivity factor the PS5 currently has.

As the PS5 becomes less exclusive and less desired, scalpers will have less reason and motivation to buy up as many PS5s as they can, leading to healthier PS5 stocks. And, as demand decreases, the impact of the chip shortage is also likely to be less severe, meaning that there will be a point where we can finally view the PS5 as a regular, readily available product.

While this point might not be for a little while, rest assured that it will come.

Related: When Will PS5 Production Ensure Supply Meets Demand?

In a Few Years, Greatness Awaits

A PS5 with a PS5 DualSense controller resting on it

The PS5's stock issues won't be around forever, even though it can seem like it right now.

Combining a series of long-term and short-term solutions, alongside demand naturally decreasing with time, should create healthier PS5 stocks for gamers all around the world to enjoy.

And while the PS5 could take a while to meet its demand, the PS5 experience is always improving. New games and software updates are constantly in the works, meaning that when you get finally get your PS5, it'll be the best version of the console to boot.