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Sony Hopes the PlayStation 5 Will Become a Long-Term Cash Cow

  • PlayStation is as pivotal to Sony as the iPhone is to Apple
  • New PS5 in short supply as Sony faces rampant virus-era demand
Microsoft Targets Sony With New Xbox Series X and S
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Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 5 video game console went on sale Thursday, a key test of the Japanese company’s ability to sustain its biggest growth engine during a coronavirus-era gaming boom.

The new PlayStation is Sony’s most important gadget since the Walkman, and it goes head-to-head with Microsoft Corp.’s next-generation Xbox over the holidays. The PlayStation 5 is anchored by the new Spider-Man game. Both consoles have chalked up solid sales since initial orders started in September, straining supplies.