Initial sales were sluggish except in the US and Japan
PS4 Pro accounts for 20% of total series sales
Some users switch to gaming PCs due to high price policy
Sony Interactive Entertainment launched its latest console game console, ‘PlayStation (PS) 5 Pro’, on the 7th, but the market’s response has not met expectations despite performance upgrades. Although hardware has evolved, with graphics processing unit (GPU) performance improving by 45% compared to the previous PS5, it is analyzed that the high price and controversy over product composition led to poor sales.
◇ Even scalpers sell products below the regular price
According to market research company Circana and related industries on the 23rd, the initial sales performance of PS5 Pro is mixed by region. In Japan and the US, sales were similar to or slightly exceeded those of the PS5, but in Europe, including the UK, signs of sluggish sales were evident immediately after launch.
Argos, a large British retailer, cut the price of the PS5 Pro just six days after launch, and even scalpers (purchasing large quantities of certain popular products and selling them at a premium) are selling products below the regular price. there is. The sluggish sales of the PS5 Pro are in contrast to the record-breaking demand for the PS5 when it was first released, causing shortages around the world.
Even in Korea, where the console game market was small at the time, the PS5 became a ‘can’t live without’ device for more than a year after its launch, and resellers continued to sell it at a premium due to a supply shortage that failed to meet demand. The factory price of the PS5 Disk Edition was 628,000 won, but in the Internet open market, it was traded at a price of over 900,000 won with a premium of more than 50%.
Sony sold the PS5 through pre-order, but each time it sold out in seconds.
The PlayStation (PS) 4 Pro is also known to have accounted for about 20% of total PS4 sales since its launch in November 2016. Considering that the cumulative sales volume of PS4 as of 2022 is approximately 117 million units, PS4 Pro sales volume is estimated to be approximately 23.4 million units.
◇ Hesitant to purchase at a price twice as high as PS5
According to Sony, PS5 Pro has made clear improvements in performance. The GPU calculation unit has increased by 67% compared to the existing PS5, and the memory has been expanded by 28%. This increases rendering speed by up to 45%, and provides a realistic and immersive gaming environment with AI-based upscaling and advanced ray tracing technology.
In particular, the latest games such as ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ and ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ support higher resolution and smooth frame rates on PS5 Pro.
However, despite these performance improvements, it is analyzed that the high price policy of PS5 Pro is a burden to many consumers. The domestic shipping price of PS5 Pro is 1,118,000 won, which is almost twice the price of the existing PS5 even though it is a digital edition that does not include a disk drive. Users who prefer physical game discs will need to purchase a Blu-ray disc drive separately, which incurs additional costs.
**Given the mixed initial reception, what strategies could Sony implement to better highlight the PS5 Pro’s value proposition to a broader consumer base, especially those who might be hesitant due to the high price point?**
## World-Today News Presents: PS5 Pro - A Sluggish Start?
**Welcome to World-Today News’ interactive discussion on the initial reception of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s latest gaming console, the PlayStation 5 Pro. Today, we have two distinguished guests joining us:**
* **[Guest 1 Name and Credentials]:** [Brief introduction highlighting expertise relevant to the gaming industry or market analysis.]
* **[Guest 2 Name and Credentials]:** [Brief introduction highlighting expertise relevant to consumer behavior, technology, or the gaming community.]
**I’m your host, [Your Name], and I’ll be guiding our conversation. Let’s begin!**
**Section 1: Market Performance and Consumer Sentiment**
* **[Guest 1]:** The article mentions a mixed bag of initial sales for the PS5 Pro. While Japan and the US showed promising numbers, Europe seems to be lagging behind. What factors do you believe are contributing to these regional differences?
* **[Guest 2]:** We saw massive demand and even shortages when the original PS5 launched. The PS5 Pro, however, seems to be facing a different reality. Do you think consumer expectations have shifted, and if so, what’s driving that change?
* **Open to both guests:** The article mentions scalpers selling the PS5 Pro below retail price. This is unusual considering the PS5’s launch saw scalpers profiting greatly. What does this say about consumer enthusiasm for the PS5 Pro?
**Section 2: Price Point and Value Proposition**
* **[Guest 2]:** The PS5 Pro comes with a significant price tag, almost double that of the standard PS5. Do you think this pricing strategy is justified considering the performance upgrades offered?
* **[Guest 1]:** Some argue that the added performance of the PS5 Pro is not a compelling enough reason for consumers to upgrade, especially with the ongoing debate about PC gaming’s value proposition.
How do you assess the overall value proposition of the PS5 Pro in the current market?
* **Open to both guests:** What are the potential long-term consequences of a high price point for a console like the PS5
Pro? Could it alienate a segment of the gaming community?
**Section 3: The Future of the PS5 Pro**
* **[Guest 1]:** Taking into account the initial lukewarm reception, what steps do you think Sony should consider to boost PS5 Pro sales in the coming months?
* **[Guest 2]:** The article mentions that the PS4 Pro eventually achieved significant sales.
Do you see a similar trajectory for the PS5 Pro, or are the circumstances too different?
* **Open to both guests:** What are your predictions for the future of the PS5 Pro within the broader gaming landscape? Will it become a defining console of this generation, or will it remain a niche product?
**Closing Remarks:**
Thank you to our guests for sharing their insightful perspectives. This discussion highlights the complexities of the gaming market and the challenges faced by even industry giants like Sony. The future of the PS5 Pro remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the conversation surrounding its performance, price, and value will continue to evolve.
**We here at World-Today News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the PS5 Pro’s journey.**
