The latest version of the PlayStation 5, exclusively available in Japan, arouses great incomprehension. Sold for around £260 in the Japanese archipelago, this console costs almost £555 in Poland and £525 in the United Kingdom. Enough to fuel the anger of many consumers, who denounce a price difference considered absurd. On social networks, the tone is rising. “Make it make sense,” summed up one user online, reflecting the sense of injustice shared by many players.
A limited edition in Japan, at a knockdown price… and very locked
The PS5 in question is a Digital Edition sold exclusively in Japanese. Announced by Sony last November, it is designed solely for the Japanese market and presents several major restrictions. It is zoned: disks from other regions do not work, even with an external drive. Additionally, only a Japanese PSN account can be used there. “Okay, sure, but then why don’t companies like Sony and Nintendo produce similar, cheaper, zoned systems for other regions?” asked one user. The question echoes a very real expectation for more affordable solutions in Europe.
The yen in free fall, Sony protects its local image
The key to this pricing policy may lie in Japan’s economic situation. The Japanese yen is at its lowest level since 2008, making local products more accessible… for the Japanese. Sony, a Japanese company, could thus seek to avoid alienating its own market. Because not offering an affordable console to the local public would be poorly received. As one observer points out: “An explanation which would undoubtedly fall more within the competence of a financial journalist would be welcome.”
Towards a cheap regional PlayStation for Europe?
The idea of a PS5 zoned and cheaper elsewhere in the world is starting to make its way into the minds of consumers. Like Nintendo, which has also reserved certain models for its national market, Sony could consider a similar strategy for Europe, where prices are more scrutinized than ever. “I can’t help but wonder if regional versions of consoles for countries other than Japan might be a good idea in the future,” suggests one player. If the price of RAM continues to rise, this reflection could quickly become a necessity.