Sony has announced a 19% price increase for the PlayStation 5 in Japan, citing global economic fluctuations as the primary reason. The move comes as the PS5 is expected to be succeeded by a new version soon. The price increase also extends to PlayStation accessories, including the DualSense controller and Pulse Elite headset.
Sony has announced a third price increase for the PlayStation 5 in Japan, raising the cost of both the disc and digital editions. This marks a significant jump in price since the console’s launch, adding to the growing concerns about PS5 profitability for Sony.
Sony has announced a price increase for its PlayStation 5 console in Japan, citing global economic fluctuations. The price hike, effective September 2nd, will see the PS5 cost around 20% more. Despite this, Sony expects to sell 18 million PS5 units this year. The move comes amidst reports of a potential PS5 hardware refresh, while Sony’s gaming division is expected to see strong profit growth.
Shift Up’s action-adventure game, Stellar Blade, has achieved significant success, surpassing 1 million copies sold and generating $19.5 million in revenue. The game’s strong performance has boosted Shift Up’s Q2 2024 earnings, leading to a substantial operating profit margin. The company is further optimistic about the game’s future potential on PC.
Black Myth: Wukong, a highly anticipated action RPG based on the legend of the Monkey King, has experienced massive success in China, significantly boosting PlayStation 5 sales and becoming a top-performing game on Steam. The game’s popularity has led to a surge in PS5 sales on Alibaba’s Taobao platform, making it a rare instance of a console game driving sales in a market typically dominated by mobile games.
Sony’s latest financial report reveals a mixed bag for PlayStation 5, with sales declining compared to last year but overall revenues for the Game & Network Services division rising. This is largely due to the growing popularity of digital game sales, with 80% of PlayStation games sold digitally.
Despite sluggish hardware sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick remains optimistic about the future of the ninth console generation. He believes that the release of highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 will significantly boost sales. Zelnick’s perspective aligns with Sony’s recent report that PS4 users still make up half of its active console base. However, he highlights that this doesn’t necessarily translate to increased earnings per user, as demonstrated by the underperformance of NBA 2K games on PS4. Take-Two is poised to capitalize on the Gen9 hardware with a pipeline of new games, including GTA 6, a new BioShock, and other unannounced console projects.
Sony has released a free demo for their upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive, Rise of the Ronin. The demo allows players to experience the game’s first chapter, including a major choice and the battle with Gonzo. Save data can be transferred to the full game, and players can also claim four free avatars for their PSN ID.
The latest PlayStation 5 beta introduces a range of features designed to enhance personalization and user experience. Key highlights include adaptive charging for PS5 controllers, personalized 3D audio profiles, and enhanced Remote Play controls.
Sony’s PlayStation 5 continues to impress with its diverse and growing library of games, attracting players of all types. Despite some delays in 2022, the console has seen a steady stream of hit titles, solidifying its position as a leading platform in the gaming world.
