Given the PlayStation 4's extraordinarily successful launch, a rumor has started online that the difficulty people are having getting their hands on the next-generation console for the holiday season is a false shortage manufactured by Sony in order to help drive up demand for the entertainment gaming device. However, in the latest episode of the PlayStation Blogcast, Sony boss Jack Tretton denied those rumors.

"You have competition out there," the president and CEO of Sony America said while denouncing the idea of withholding units saying the holidays are the prime time for sales. There are lots of things that people can spend money on, especially during the holidays; and the holidays only come around once a year, so that's really when you want to take advantage of the market opportunity... It breaks my heart if somebody's got $400 in their hand and they want one and we can't sell them one."

Tretton went on to say that it took months to accumulate the first million units it sold. This means that the shortage that people are experiencing is real, and not some creation from Sony. The company reportedly had 12,000 extra units to give to Amazon, they sold out in roughly 27 minutes according to IGN. Additional PlayStation 4 units will be made available before the holiday season is over.

While Tretton categorically denies the idea of Sony purposely creating a shortage of the console, IGN notes that the company did say in September that it would be holding back units to combat shortage over the holiday season.

Have you been having trouble finding a PlayStation 4 this holiday season? For that matter, do you believe the statement from Tretton about the false shortage of the PlayStation 4 console? Comment and share your thoughts on next-gen this holiday season with us below.