PS5 Pro Availability Restricted in Japan as Sony Prioritizes Active PlayStation Users Before GTA 6 Launch

The excitement surrounding the upcoming launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 is leading to a situation that many feared: console shortages. Gamers who haven’t yet upgraded to the latest hardware are rushing to secure new consoles ahead of the game’s November release, putting additional strain on supply chains that are already stretched thin due to the ongoing AI race. The PS5 Pro is particularly struggling to meet this surge in demand, prompting Sony Japan to introduce purchasing restrictions and a lottery system to ensure fair distribution of consoles in its home market.

This new system, which is limited to purchases made directly through the Sony Store, requires players to have a Sony account with at least 60 hours of confirmed playtime on PS4 or PS5 from September 27, 2024, to September 27, 2026. Those who meet these criteria can apply to buy one console per customer until October 7, with results announced by October 26 for delivery in early November, just in time for the new GTA experience.

Lottery systems like this aren’t new in Japan. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 saw similar pre-order lotteries, with specific requirements for players. What’s noteworthy here is that PlayStation console sales in Japan have lagged behind Nintendo’s in recent years, largely due to the higher price of PlayStation hardware, even after the introduction of a special, lower-priced SKU aimed at boosting local adoption.

The impending release of GTA seems to have ignited a renewed interest in the PS5 Pro, while standard PS5 models remain readily available. The lottery system is arguably a more equitable way to allocate stock, focusing on active players rather than simply selling to whoever gets lucky in an online queue.

This lottery approach hints at a resurgence in demand driven by GTA, which could positively impact overall console sales in Japan. Gamers are eager to experience the best version of the game, and Sony has been promoting optimizations exclusive to the PS5 Pro. This situation serves as a reminder that other markets might benefit from adopting a lottery model to manage gaming hardware and accessory shortages in the future.