Sony’s PlayStation 5 is already famously tough to obtain, and the popular console’s maker said on Thursday that it will become more costly for players in many regions of the world.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has proposed hiking the retail price of the PlayStation 3 in Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Australia, Mexico, and Canada, according to the company’s senior executive Jim Ryan.
US consumers will be spared from the hikes, Ryan said, without providing further explanation.
The price rises will see a PS5 Digital Edition retail in Europe for 449.99 euros ($450), up from 399.99 euros.
The same console will be sold in the UK for 389.99 pounds ($462), up from 359.99 pounds, and in Japan for 49,478 yen ($363), up from 43,978 yen.
SIE blamed “high global inflation rates as well as adverse currency trends” for the price increases.
“Based on these challenging economic conditions, SIE has made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price of PlayStation 5 in select markets,” Ryan said in a statement.
Sony’s current top priority is to address a supply crunch that has made PS5s difficult to buy, he said.
