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Sony Japan tries an anti-scalper lottery system for PS5 Pro orders, locks systems behind a 60-hour playtime requirement — strict lottery system blocks scalpers and tourists in Japan, requires a domestic account to buy PS5 Pro has been around nearly two years, and has been the victim of AI-inflation, but the impending release of GTA 6 has spurred demand. In the face of strong demand and device shortages, Sony has decided to filter PlayStation 5 Pro purchasers in Japan using a lottery system. We’ve seen such anti-scalper techniques used by the makers of the most treasured tech before, but the Sony Store in Japan is also insisting (machine translation) that those joining the queue for PS5 Pro purchase tickets possess a Japanese PSN account. Furthermore, participants must have logged at least 60 hours of gaming time on a PS4 or PS5 over the last two years. The Sony Store’s PS5 Pro application and purchase conditions indicate that PS5 Pro purchase lottery ticket applications are limited to gamers who can satisfy the following: - “For those using PlayStation Online Services with a Sony account registered in Japan.” - “You must be signed in to your Sony account and have played a total of 60 hours or more of games on either a PS5 or PS4, or both, between September 27, 2024 (Friday) and September 27, 2026 (Sunday) at 23:59.” These Sony Store PS5 Pro purchase applications will open on October 7, with sales to ticket holders commencing October 26, 2026. If the applications to purchase Sony’s MSRP stock outstrip supply, then prospective purchasers will be selected via lottery. Successful applicants will have until November 2 to complete the purchase of their PS5 Pro at MSRP. The PS5 Pro has been available to buy for approaching two years (launched November 2024). These game consoles have also seen prices climb several times this year due to key components being funneled to AI data centers. You might think that the console aging and getting more expensive would slow demand. It is thought, however, that demand for the PS5/Pro consoles is now rising, at least partly due to the impending release of Rockstar’s GTA 6. Japanese gamers have previously been seen to grumble about foreign tourists buying up stocks of RTX 5090s, for example. That experience makes the PS5 Pro lottery system, tied to the Japanese PSN account requirement, seem logical. Moreover, the logged PlayStation gaming time of 60 hours helps steer stock to folks who buy these machines to enjoy, rather than just scalp and sell them on. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason. - Dementoss I understand and support the reasons for doing this but, it also means that anyone looking to buy one as their first Playstation, will be excluded.Reply - bigdragon Reply I do like when companies require gaming time in order to get your hands on new hardware. I think this makes it more likely that the buyer will use the system as intended rather than try to flip it for profit. However, I have to wonder how many people would be upgrading from a PS5 to a PS5 Pro. There doesn't appear to be a significant enough advantage to me given the high price. I could see someone upgrading from a PS4 to a PS5 Pro though.Tom's Hardware said:Furthermore, participants must have logged at least 60 hours of gaming time on a PS4 or PS5 over the last two years. - TerryLaze Reply Yeah but then they will get one console not a dozen, which is the whole point.teeejay94 said:Here's a newsflash Sony scalpers play video games too Unless a scalper sets up a dozen old consoles with a dozen different accounts just to buy ps5 pros. Isn't it too close to the (potential) release of the ps6 by now?!bigdragon said:I could see someone upgrading from a PS4 to a PS5 Pro though. - Vicecrow Ps6 by now Will launch with a big price tag...Reply They Will postpone It 2029 lol. I have a PS3 never cared about these new consoles, everything Goes to PC in today games - USAFRet ReplyFurthermore, participants must have logged at least 60 hours of gaming time on a PS4 or PS5 over the last two years. I get the anti scalper thing. But this means I could not buy one as a present for a relative. - ohio_buckeye If I’m paying hundreds for a new system I should be able to play it as much as I want. Hey Sony here’s an outlandish idea!!!! Do like Microcenter in the USA. When someone buys from you or your authorized retailers, limit it to 1 per household and keep a record of who purchases them. But wait that would be too simple right?Reply
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