PS5 Pro shortage ahead of GTA VI pre-downloads, Digi Mart USA News: Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) pre-downloads begin Tuesday, November 10, with a file size of 212 GB. However, most U.S.
retailers are sold out of the PS5 Pro console, even at its record price of $899.
Former X (Twitter) executive Nikita Bier says he searched for the console for two weeks without success. Sony has raised the PS5 Pro price by $200 since April, and most resellers are now selling the console at an even higher price.
Major U.S. retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, GameStop and PlayStation Direct, list the PS5 Pro as sold out at its retail price.
A brief Best Buy restock in late October sold out quickly. Meanwhile, resellers are asking far more, with refurbished and third-party units appearing for $1,399 to more than $1,600.
Sony raised its console prices on April 2, citing pressure in the global economy. Microsoft followed with its own Xbox price increase in August, as AI demand drove up memory chip costs.
In Japan, scalpers prompted Sony to go further, introducing a 60-hour play rule for Japanese PS5 Pro buyers.
GTA 6 launches November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with pre-downloads opening November 10. PlayStation has also said players need at least 212 GB of free storage on their PS5.
Sony has raised its net profit forecast for the year ending March 2027 to a record 1.33 trillion yen. Investors remained cautious, however, and the shares gave back part of their earlier gains on Friday.
Sony stock rallied 7% during the week on the demand and hype.
Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), the parent company of GTA 6 developer Rockstar, faces a similar test. Its stock has slid this year, leaving the company heavily dependent on the launch.
For now, demand for the PS5 Pro outpaces supply. Whether that translates into earnings for Sony and Take-Two will become clearer once GTA 6 sales figures are released.
