Sony introduces PS5 Pro purchase conditions in Japan
Sony is struggling to meet the high demand for the PlayStation 5 Pro, the more powerful version of the PS5. Console prices are higher than ever before, due in part to the increased costs of RAM and other necessary components. Furthermore, retailers are reselling the PS5 Pro at astronomical prices, making it difficult, if not impossible, for many gamers to get their hands on one.
To address this issue, Sony announced in a PlayStation blog post that a lottery system with specific requirements for purchasing the PS5 Pro has been introduced in Japan. Players wishing to acquire the PS5 Pro in Japan will need a Japanese PlayStation Network account with access to online services.
PS5 Pro only after 60 hours of gameplay
Additionally, the PSN account must have a total of 60 hours of playtime between September 27, 2024, and September 27, 2026. This isn’t a high hurdle, as most players have likely played 60 hours in the last two years. The playtime requirement is intended to prevent resellers from participating in the lottery and acquiring and reselling the console at inflated prices.
Registration for the raffle is open until October 7th. Interested buyers will be notified by October 26th whether they are eligible to win a PS5 Pro. Winners have until November 2nd to purchase the console for 137,980 yen (777 euros/875 US dollars). However, registration for the raffle does not guarantee a console purchase, as the number of winners is limited.
Currently, Sony has not yet introduced comparable lottery systems or restrictions for purchasing the PS5 Pro in other regions. However, should demand remain high and supply limited, this is certainly conceivable. Until then, gamers who want the console face a choice: either pay extremely high resale prices or forgo it altogether – a difficult decision given the highly anticipated release of GTA 6 in November.
