By Sony has defied market expectations by announcing PlayStation 5 price increases across Europe, making this strategic gamble immediately after reporting record sales of 8.2 million units last quarter. The 15% increase reveals:
• Console gaming’s recession-resistant demand
• Sony’s confidence in PlayStation brand loyalty
• Willingness to sacrifice some volume for profitability
Market data shows:
✓ PS5 holds 68% next-gen market share in Europe
✓ Game attach rate at record 9.1 titles per console
✓ PlayStation Plus subscriptions up 22% YoY
“This isn’t about costs – it’s about maximizing revenue from their installed base,” said Ampere Analysis’ Piers Harding-Rolls. The move follows Microsoft’s 10% Xbox Game Pass hike last month.
Potential ripple effects:
→ Third-party game prices may follow
→ PS5 Pro launch could be delayed
→ Black Friday discounts likely reduced