The highly anticipated PS5 Pro has finally been priced, and it’s a figure that has left many gaming enthusiasts both surprised and intrigued. Sony has set the retail price at $700 in the United States, or €800 in Europe, for the mid-generation console, which is set to launch on November 7. Notably, this price does not include a disc drive or a vertical stand, adding to the overall cost for consumers. This represents a significant increase from the PS4 Pro’s launch price of $399, which was identical to the PS4’s initial release price.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether this steep price hike will impact the PS5 Pro’s sales. To delve deeper into this matter, WCCF Tech conducted an interview with Rhys Elliott, a games industry analyst at MIDiA Research. Elliott provided detailed insights into the console’s market positioning and potential sales figures.
According to Elliott, the PS5 Pro is tailored for super fans of the PlayStation brand. Despite the high price tag, he predicts that the console could still sell between 13 million and 15 million units by the end of this generation.
The price aligns with my expectations because the PS5 Pro is a premium product aimed atPS heavy users, said Elliott. But $700 is the maximum price Sony can offer for the PS5 Pro – it’s the sweet spot that heavy users are willing to accept. These users have proven time and again that they are willing to pay an extra $200 to enhance their experience, such as using high-end controllers or the PlayStation Portal. Any price above $700 would clearly result in more pushback.
Elliott also drew a comparison with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X, suggesting that if both PlayStation and Xbox could turn back time, they might have priced their base consoles at $600 at launch. He pointed out the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Edition, which, despite having a disc drive, is essentially the same as the launch model of the Series X in terms of specifications, except for additional storage space.
The PS5 Pro’s success, however, is contingent on factors such as supply and the implementation of new features in upcoming games. If the console’s supply is sufficient, Elliott sees its sales matching those of the PS4 Pro. Depending on the duration of the current generation, selling 13 million to 15 million PS5 Pros by the end of the generation is still possible, he added.
While the PS5 Pro may not significantly expand PlayStation’s player base, it is expected to sell well within its target audience. Sony has cleverly targeted the pain point of choosing between quality and performance modes, which is a reality for many players of the latest generation of gaming consoles. This is a value proposition that could entice even hesitant super fans.
There are approximately 50 million PS4 users who are looking for a reason to upgrade. Some of them might grit their teeth and shell out $700 for the PS5 Pro. Sony has strategically positioned the console as the best way to play GTA6, ahead of the game’s much-anticipated release. A bundle with GTA6 could further boost sales.
Sony has previously released brand-specific PS4 Pro models for first-party games like Spider-Man and third-party games like Monster Hunter, and it is expected that the PS5 Pro will follow a similar strategy. Upcoming third-party games, including Assassin’s Creed: Shadow, Monster Hunter: Wilds, and GTA 6, along with the new EA Sports College Football 25, demonstrate the strong pull of new generation games in enticing consumers to upgrade.
For those who already own a console from the previous generation, there is a compelling reason to upgrade to the slightly more expensive PS5 Pro, especially since the base version is not expected to be discounted. The focus, however, remains on the fact that the PS5 Pro is for highly engaged enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the PS5 Pro is expected to have a direct positive impact on hardware sales and also contribute to software spending. While the overall impact will be relatively small, the Pro model will not significantly increase PlayStation’s user base. However, it will make those valuable veteran users even more engaged and provide a glimpse into Sony’s technological direction before the PS6 generation.
Views: 0