Despite many rumours suggesting Sony's PlayStation 4 console would get a November release, retailer GameStop has put a spanner in the works for all UK gamers hoping to find one sitting beneath their Christmas tree this December, the International Business Times writes.

Those pre-ordering the next-gen console through the retailer's website won't find a release date on the pre-order main page, but as soon as you proceed through to the transaction process, the release date of 29 December can be seen within the product summary in the buyer's shopping cart section, the International Business Times also writes.

Sony can no longer guarantee that if you pre-order a PlayStation 4 in the UK you'll get it at launch, EuroGamer reports.

"Sony have confirmed all PlayStation 4 pre-orders placed from 6th August will now not be guaranteed for launch. You can still pre-order PS4 with us in case we receive cancellations and can fulfil your order for launch," a message from ShopTo revealed.

Amazon has also posted notices that next-generation consoles ordered after August 6 will not be received on the release date and will await a full shipment of sufficient inventory.