Sony today PS5 Prices will rise in line with “high global inflation” and suggested retail prices will rise in “selected world markets”, i.e. all major markets except the United States.
Sony has said the PS5 price hike is a result of challenges in the global economic environment, but it targets almost every major market outside the US. Europe, the UK, Japan, China, Australia, Mexico and Canada have seen significant price increases for both physical and digital consoles, with many markets seeing price increases of as much as 10%.
Why is there no US price increase for PS5?
This begs the question: If these price increases are a result of the global economy, why hasn’t the US been hit by price increases?
A commentator on Twitter pointed to flaws in Sony’s messaging, referring to “some markets” by the company, but actually excluding the United States from the list of key regions affected by the price hike. I am paying attention to that.
I already see people disrespecting this as it only happens in “select markets”. This is basically the whole world except for his one area, which sees Xbox as a serious threat.
There are even €80 games here in Europe.actually a catastrophe
— Zalman (@enterzalman) August 25, 2022
Sony’s message on PS5 price hike to everyone outside the US: 🖕
— jez @ gamescom (@JezCorden) August 25, 2022
However, Sony has not explicitly stated that this is the reason for excluding the US, but there is a solid reason – the strength of the US dollar. The US dollar hit its highest level in nearly two decades this year, defying odds in a time of rising inflation, falling stock markets and major financial turmoil amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The strength of the US dollar may cause Sony to hold off on raising PS5 prices in the region for the foreseeable future. This includes suggestions that it is the result of a recent $6 billion class action lawsuit filed against the company.
It remains to be seen if Sony will continue to avoid raising the PS5 price in the US in the future, but North American buyers believe the company has avoided the region, even if it disrupts other markets in the process. I would be very grateful to
