2 weeks Ago By David Richards
A rental trial of Playstation 5 consoles could lead to a global roll out after proving to be a “massive success” in Japan with retailers set to benefit from the move. Back in early March, PlayStation Direct launched a program that allowed players to rent a PlayStation 5 for a low monthly cost in Japan after an initial launch in the UK, the concept took off with Sony management now looking at a whole new way for consumers to get access to one of their popular gaming consoles. Reports indicate that roughly 400 stores offered the service with stock availability suddenly becoming a problem, as gamers quickly took to the notion of subscribing or renting a console over purchasing a console that ranges in price in Australia from $1197 for the Pro 5 version to $749 for a slim console.
sold out. Players can rent a PlayStation 5 for eight days for just under US$7, or for 15 days for around US$12. There’s a similar service available in the UK that has met with similar levels of success.
According to observers the popularity of recent games like Monster Hunter Wilds contributed to the rental service’s success, according to reports. The stores that currently offer the service were chosen because of their foot traffic and location. Sony recently raised the price of the PlayStation 5 in certain countries with the possibility that they could raise again because of Trump Tariff issues.
Analysts claim that economic uncertainty makes people more closely consider purchases, so offering a PlayStation 5 rental service could get the console in the hands of gamers that otherwise couldn’t afford it. Sony who has deliberately held the price of the PS5 console up despite the gaming machine being five years into it’s life cycle. Sony will use its test cases in the UK and Japan as a model for reaching a larger audience global claim insiders.
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