We all got a big surprise this week when initial news regarding Sony’s next console, the PlayStation 5, was revealed courtesy of Wired magazine. While we got to hear information regarding the physicality of the console, its components, and its backwards-compatibility plans, price was not mentioned. Understandable given these early days.
Still, a tweet posted by Wired’s Peter Rubin, who wrote the original feature, includes a short exchange between he and PlayStation 5 architect Mark Cerny. Pressed for a rough price window for the new magical box, Cerny noted: “I believe that we will be able to release it at an SRP (suggested retail price) that will be appealing to gamers in light of its advanced feature set”. Rubin pushed further, but that was all that he was getting.
Of course, no-one is expecting Sony to reveal their hand regarding pricing at this early stage, but “appealing” is obviously subjective when it comes to buckeroos. We are heading into a new era of technology, one in which some are attempting to eschew hardware altogether. As such, pricing is going to be particularly important. Especially in a time of paid subscription services and high-level PC components.
It’s not as if the PlayStation 5 won’t sell, even if it’s expensive. But it would certainly price some people out of the market if so, and could even lead some to cheaper, non-hardware alternatives. It’s going to be interesting seeing this next generation balance its immensely powerful tech costs against not only their opposition, but services that aim to remove the traditional console from the market in its entirety.
Source: Destructoid PS5 price will be ‘appealing’ according to system architect