Last week, The Future Of Gaming digital event revealed the technological supremacy of Sony’s next-gen console. The event lasted well beyond an hour and showcased two dozens of new games, some of which were exclusives. Fans also got the first glimpse of the futuristic design of the PlayStation 5 hardware, including the Dual Sense controller.
However, Sony is yet to reveal many more important details, including the interface, and especially the cost of their new console. Specifically, the latter has drawn a lot of speculations and is one of the most significant concerns, considering the creative and technological advances made. Everyone is curious about the price of PlayStation 5.
Before the PS5 event went live, rumors about the next-gen console’s price began circulating online. Many individuals spotted a placeholder or dummy listing for 1TB and 2TB variants of PlayStation 5 on Amazon UK. The listing had an outrageous price of £599.99. PlayStation 5 has an 825GB storage, according to official sources, and people quickly noticed the discrepancy in the listing.
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Later, an Amazon UK spokesperson issued a statement to IGN saying that the listing was “an error,” and it was “priced as a dummy product with a dummy price”. Many other dummy listings for PS5 and its associated games were doing rounds on the internet. Those have already been disregarded as fakes. Nevertheless, it added to the anxiety of people planning to buy the real product.
Also read- PlayStation 5: The Astonishing Numbers Behind Sony’s Event
Former Xbox executive squashes claims of high PlayStation 5 price
Amidst all this, a Twitter user, Anthony, brought Amazon UK’s PS5 placeholder listing to the attention of former Xbox marketing director. Albert Penello, now Senior Manager for Product Management at Amazon, replied, “I believe in the saying ‘never say never’. But I gotta say never. No way this console is over $499.”
I believe in the saying "never say never"
But I gotta say never. No way this console is over $499.
— Albert Penello (@albertpenello) June 12, 2020
He followed up on the matter further, saying, “Price in this generation may be the most important indicator of success. Maybe even more than exclusives.”
Price in this generation may be the most important indicator of success. Maybe even more than exclusives.
There has never been a more divergent set of specs, features, and price points then I think we're going to see this gen. It will be fascinating. Someone should write a book.
— Albert Penello (@albertpenello) June 12, 2020
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Also read- PS5: CEO Explains What Next-Gen Will Offer
PS5 loyalists, and console gamers in general, should receive this news favorably. Albert Penello is a credible individual who is well-versed about the intricacies of launching a console. He has previously overseen the marketing for the launches of Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. If the prediction of the former Xbox executive is accurate, the price tag for PS5 is pretty reasonable.
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Moreover, Sony seems to have learned its lesson after launching PS3 in 2006 for a hefty $599. The company went on to launch PS4 in 2013 for a reasonably lower price at $399, and that has turned out to be the critical factor for Sony’s astounding success against its rivals in the last few years.
Lastly, considering the current loss of the global economy amidst the worldwide pandemic, the $499 price tag for PS5 makes much more sense and could turn out to be Sony’s building block for further success in the future.
