PS5 Pro: Players Outraged, But Who is Sony’s New Console Targeted At?

The price was adjusted at the end of the video, both discreetly and openly: the PS5 Pro will be sold for 800€ in Europe. An exorbitant price that no one anticipated, not even those on Twitter predicting Sony’s reasonable marketing strategy. It is important to note, however, that this 799€ price point applies only to the all-digital model, which lacks a disc reader. If consumers want access to Blu-ray functionality, they must pay an additional 130€, clearly raising the total cost. Additionally, if the stand is desired as part of the complete package, the PS5 Pro’s value will approach 1000€. This pricing strategy has never been seen at PlayStation and represents a first in the video game industry.

The PS3 flop is in the past. CRITICAL: Only translate the paragraph above to English. Do not include comments, explanations, or anything else.

Excessively high prices for the players’ marketplace led Sony to face difficulties in 2007, particularly at the launch of the PS3, which was initially priced at 600€. The PS3’s initial release was a commercial failure; on the day of its release, there was only one person braving the cold to stand in an empty queue along the Champs-Elysées. This mistake wasn’t repeated with the PS4, which was introduced at an ultra-competitive price of 399€. Reflecting on it now, considering today’s market conditions, it seems almost surreal that the PS4 was launched for less than 400€ in a highly competitive environment. Nine years ago, the PS4 Pro entered mid-generation at the same price point, while the standard PS4 had its price reduced to 299€, which is 100 euros lower than before. However, in 2024, the PS5 Pro will be marketed at 800€, double that of the PS4 Pro when it was first released.

How did we get here? Reflecting on recent years, Sony PlayStation has increasingly adopted an ‘Apple-style’ approach and shows no signs of slowing down. Sony is aware that its PlayStation community is loyal to the brand, but are users prepared to pay premium prices for aesthetics similar to those paid by Apple enthusiasts? Considering PS5 sales during a crisis period marked by COVID, Sony seems to have met expectations. However, when looking at other products such as the DualSense Edge controller and PlayStation VR 2, the sales figures appear less promising. Is Sony leveraging its near-monopoly status inappropriately? With Xbox’s reduced competitive presence due to lower console sales, Sony is pushing forward aggressively, sometimes appearing disconnected from market realities. Are they alone in this approach? Certainly not; consider the smartphone industry where prices have quadrupled over a period of less than 20 years. The latest top-tier iPhone now retails for approximately 2,000€. It’s fair to acknowledge that consumers also bear some responsibility by continuing to purchase at such high prices, inadvertently signaling manufacturers to maintain or increase pricing levels. While factors like COVID and inflation have contributed to rising costs, they do not fully justify the doubling of price between the PS4 and PS5 generations.

QUALITY OR PERFORMANCE

Sony is well-aware of the type of clientele it targets with the PS5 Pro, which likely does not include the average gamer. Given that the PS4 Pro accounted for only 13% of PS4 generation sales, it’s clear this represents a niche market—those who purchase PlayStation’s high-end models for the ultimate gaming experience. It remains to be seen whether the Japanese manufacturer will succeed in attracting a wider audience in the future, but it is evident that concerns will diminish over time as comparative performance videos showcase the true benefits of no longer having to choose between ‘Quality’ and ‘Performance’. Additionally, with GTA 6 from Rockstar Games expected to release next year, this title may further redefine industry standards.

For €800, what does the PS5 Pro offer? Firstly, it is important to note that the storage capacity has been doubled from 1TB to 2TB SSD, which is significant given that modern games typically range in size between 80 and 150GB. For example, “Black Myth Wukong” alone requires more than 150GB of space on the PS5. The most notable aspect of this new console, however, is its capability to resolve the common dilemma faced by gamers regarding a choice between graphic quality and performance. Specifically, the PS5 Pro features an upgraded graphics processor with 67% more computing units compared to the current model, alongside memory that is 28% faster. Consequently, gameplay rendering speeds are increased by up to 45%, leading to a noticeably smoother gaming experience.

What’s new, Doc?

We also have an enhanced Ray-Tracing technology, which enables the console to provide more dynamic light reflections. This allows rays to project at speeds twice or even three times those of the current PS5, as demonstrated in Gran Turismo 7 where reflections between two cars are equally present. A detail for some, crucial for purists, as we know, it’s in the details that the devil hides. Another highlighted feature is the PlayStation Super Spectral Resolution (PSSR), an AI-driven technology that delivers ultra-clear image quality by adding a vast amount of details, reminiscent of PC’s DLSS technology. All this aims to avoid compromises between a 4K image and a 60 frames per second frame rate. Will it apply to all games? The question is worth asking, especially considering the increasing demands and performance requirements of modern games. On paper, it’s a promise, particularly with an upcoming PS5 Pro Game Boost system planned for the console, which will be compatible with over 8,500 PS4 compatible games playable on the PS5 Pro.

This feature can stabilize or enhance the performance of supported PS4 and PS5 games. Enhanced image quality for PS4 games is also available to improve the resolution of certain PS4 titles. All these boosted games will be identified by a “PS5 Pro Enhanced” label, as was the case with the PS4 Pro. We already have a list of compatible games including: Alan Wake 2, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Demon’s Souls, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Gran Turismo 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, The Crew Motorfest, The First Descendant, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered.

The PS5 will be available starting November 7th, ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas, with a price tag of €800 in Europe and $700 in the US. This could very well be the genuine article…