The PS5 Pro will hit the market on November 7, although it can now be reserved, for 799 euros. It is important to note that this model is only available in digital format, that is, without a disk drive. Optionally, you can purchase the reader and a support mandatory that increase the total price of the PS5 Pro up to 959 euros.
Why the PS5 Pro lacks a disc reader
The main, and we could say, only, reason why Sony has only launched a model in digital format is to squeeze its user base since they continue to choose to buy the model with a disc drive well above the digital format. This is not what we say, but rather the latest study published by Circana.
According to the analysis firm Circana, since Sony launched the PS5 in 2020, more than 80% of all units that have been sold only in the United States include the disc reader. With these figures on the table, it is logical to think that Sony wants to take advantage of users by forcing them to buy the disk drive independently to continue enjoying their games in physical format.
However, this may be a shot in the foot for the company and may not meet sales expectations, since it is likely that not everyone will be willing to pay double what the PS5 with a disc reader currently costs for the new generation to continue using the games they have in physical format and choose to wait for the new generation whose launch is scheduled for 2028, trusting in the most optimistic forecasts.
Both Sony and Microsoft have been trying to encourage the purchase of video games in digital formata format that gives them a greater profit margin since they do not have to share distribution costs. However, the price of games in digital format is exactly the same as in physical format, so there really is no compelling reason to go digital.
Furthermore, if we buy a game in digital format, we keep it forever. But, if we buy the games in physical format, once we have played it, we can sell it second hand and recover part of the investment to buy a new one or always have it in our library without fear of it disappearing from digital stores.
If both Sony and Microsoft really want users to buy games in digital format, they have to offer an important compelling reason to change users’ minds, offering the titles at a lower price than in physical format, since otherwise, If your plans involve launching the next generation of your consoles without a reader and without the possibility of adding one, it will be time to upgrade to a gaming PC.
Although for many years, games in physical format for PC ceased to exist, when buying a game we are not obliged to go through a specific store, but we can do so through Steam, Epic Games Store either GOG among many others, which allows us to obtain better prices.
