GTA 6 Fever Is Already Causing PS5 Pro Shortages in Japan, and Sony Has a Surprising Solution

GTA 6 anticipation is already driving demand for the PS5 Pro in Japan. Sony has introduced a lottery system requiring eligible players to prove 60 hours of PS4 or PS5 gameplay before entering.

---

Although the release date of GTA VI is yet some weeks away, Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated game is creating some unforeseen effect on the gaming hardware market in Japan. It is claimed that the PlayStation 5 Pro model is experiencing shortage of stocks as gamers anticipate the release of GTA 6 and opt for the best console from the PlayStation range to play the game.

The release of GTA 6 is expected to happen on November 19, and although the game will be playable across multiple consoles that support the game, there are some gamers who have decided to opt for upgrading their devices before the launch of the game. The PlayStation 5 Pro is considered better than the standard PS5 as it provides extra graphical performance.

Sony Is Using a Lottery to Sell the PS5 Pro in Japan

Since the demand for the PS5 Pro is higher than its availability in Japan, Sony has taken an unusual step to rectify this situation. Rather than letting customers purchase the console when there is sufficient inventory, Sony is organizing a lottery program via Sony Store.

But getting a ticket for this lottery is not that easy since you will have to fulfill another condition. It has been set by Sony to make sure that the participants have a background of gaming on PlayStation consoles.

Customers who want to get the PS5 Pro via lottery program have to have a Sony account which fulfills Sony's playtime requirement. The Sony account should be having a minimum of 60 hours of gameplay on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 starting from September 27, 2024, and ending on September 27, 2026.

Therefore, people with newly acquired PlayStation accounts or those who have played less often on Sony consoles are not going to be eligible despite the fact that they want to buy the PS5 Pro right now.

60 Hours of Playtime Required to Enter

Perhaps the most unique thing about Sony’s PS5 Pro lottery system is the requirement for 60 hours of gameplay. Instead of basing the lottery on elements like account age and purchasing history, Sony is basing it off how long people have played games in order to determine their eligibility for entering.

People eligible for the lottery can apply to purchase a PS5 Pro until October 7th. Once the deadline has passed, Sony will draw the lottery winners, with notifications going out by October 26.

The chosen individuals will then have the chance to purchase the device. Sony states that customers who successfully apply will have their PS5 Pro in their possession within the first half of November, just in time for GTA 6.

GTA 6 Could Be Driving Demand for Sony's Most Powerful Console

The interesting aspect about this PS5 Pro shortage is the fact that it is occurring only weeks before the release of GTA 6. It would be no exaggeration to claim that the upcoming Grand Theft Auto game from Rockstar Games is one of the most anticipated game releases in the gaming world, and its massive popularity will likely result in high demand for modern gaming equipment.

Though GTA 6 will be available for consoles other than the PS5 Pro, people who want the best console experience are going to be more than willing to purchase Sony's better version of PlayStation 5. It should be noted that the PS5 Pro was created to offer better graphical capabilities than the regular version of the PS5.

In other words, the PS5 Pro could very well become an attractive upgrade for those gamers who prioritize image and performance.

The Timing Could Make the PS5 Pro Even Harder to Find

This issue also serves to showcase the way in which the launch of major games can affect demand for gaming hardware. GTA 6 is going to entice both those who already own PlayStation consoles and those who are looking at getting a new console for the purpose of playing the game.

With the PS5 Pro lottery continuing till October 7 and winners being informed of the results later on during the month, Japanese gamers lucky enough to be eligible for the lottery are going to have to wait to see whether they can acquire Sony's high-end console. The ones who lose out in the lottery might have to resort to buying the console from other vendors.

The issue is only likely to become more complicated with November 19 approaching when GTA 6 is set to be released.

GTA 6 Launch Is Getting Closer

Grand Theft Auto VI is set for its release date on November 19, which means that gamers have a limited amount of time to get ready for it. The new title will see gamers returning to Vice City and featuring a new storyline about Jason and Lucia, who are going to continue Rockstar's policy of producing massive open worlds.

It should be said that although GTA 6 itself does not cause all the sales of PS5 Pro to take place, the correlation between the shortage and high demand clearly illustrates the power of a game release.

Japanese PlayStation owners will have to work harder than just to earn enough money for buying a PS5 Pro in order to have it before GTA 6. First of all, they will have to prove that they have spent enough time playing games on PlayStation and participate in Sony's lottery.