GameStop’s US arm has stopped taking PS4 pre-orders both in store and online following strong demand. A GameStop spokesperson told Game Informer: "Due to high demand for the system, GameStop is not currently taking additional store reservations for the PlayStation 4." The retailer’s website also says: “PS4 console currently sold out. Sign up here to be the first to know for new information.”

Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House said last month that PS4 “demand may well outstrip supply” after the console made all the right headlines at E3, while SCEA CEO Jack Tretton said GameStop executives had told him the retailer would purchase "every single [PS4] unit" Sony can manufacture.

Sony revealed the actual PS4 hardware for the first time during its E3 press conference, where it also announced a Christmas release date in Europe and the US and a PS4 price of £349 / €399 / $399, which is $100 less than Xbox One’s launch price. Multiple European retailers recently began listing the PS4 release date as November 13, 2013 although Sony told us the suggested launch date was “pure speculation”.