PS5 Pro Pre-Order Drama

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X

We all know the drill by now: a shiny new console drops, and within minutes, scalpers have scooped up all the stock, leaving the rest of us to either wait for months or pay a ridiculous markup on eBay. It’s a frustrating cycle that has plagued the gaming community for years. So, when Sony announced the PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition, many gamers braced themselves for the inevitable scalper frenzy.

However, in a surprising twist, Sony has decided to take a stand. According to TechRadar, pre-orders for the PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition in Japan are being restricted to PSN accounts with at least 30 hours of activity. Yep, you read that right. If you haven’t clocked in enough gaming time, you’re out of luck. It’s a bold move aimed at curbing scalpers, but it’s also left some casual gamers scratching their heads.

On one hand, this strategy makes sense. Scalpers typically create new accounts to grab as many consoles as possible, so requiring a minimum playtime could filter out those bad actors. But on the other hand, what about the gamers who just don’t have the time to rack up 30 hours? Maybe they’re busy with work, school, or, you know, life. Should they be penalized for not being hardcore enough?

Looking ahead, this could set a precedent for how future console releases are handled. If Sony’s 30-hour rule proves effective in Japan, we might see similar restrictions rolled out globally. And let’s be real, other companies are probably watching closely. Could we see Xbox or Nintendo adopting similar tactics? It’s not out of the realm of possibility.

But here’s the kicker: while Japan is getting this 30-hour rule, other regions, like the UK, are still dealing with the usual pre-order chaos. The PS5 30th Anniversary DualSense controller, for example, is already flying off the shelves in the UK, with stock expected to sell out fast. So, while Japan is experimenting with new anti-scalper measures, the rest of us are still stuck in the old system, frantically refreshing web pages and praying for a miracle.

In the end, Sony’s move is a fascinating experiment in the ongoing battle against scalpers. It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s far from perfect. The question now is: will other regions follow suit, or will this remain a Japan-only experiment? And more importantly, will it actually work?

For now, all we can do is wait and see. But one thing’s for sure: the next time a major console release rolls around, things might look very different.