GTA VI is getting closer and PlayStation 5 is more expensive. Sony warns the players and … the duties of Trump

Sony raises the price of its PlayStation 5 console in Europe, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, which, according to analysts, is an attempt to prejudice the effects of duties introduced by US President Donald Trump.

The Japanese concern, as the reason for the “difficult decision” on the increase, gave “difficult economic conditions, including high inflation and fluctuations in exchange rates.” The price of the console will increase from April 14, so from today, by about 11 percent in Europe – to 500 euros and about 10 percent in Great Britain – up to 430 pounds.

The increase will also include selected markets in the Middle East and Africa And it can be a preview of price increases in the United States. A significant part of the PS5 production takes place in China, which were covered by American duties reaching 145 percent.

Analysts say that new tariffs can also increase the prices of a four -year console in the United States, because Sony usually tries to maintain relatively uniform prices around the world.

Waiting for GTA VI will not deter the increase in PlayStation 5 prices

Quoted by the “Financial Times” Serkan Toto, head of the consulting company Kantan Games, said that by raising prices in Europe, Sony probably prepares the ground for a significant increase in the USA.

He added that the moment is beneficial for the company not only because of the customs duties, but also because of the premiere of the long -awaited Grand Theft Auto VI game (it will most likely take place in the fourth quarter of the year).

“They raise the price before the premiere of GTA VI – when the demand for this game is so huge that people may not even pay attention to the higher price of the console. This is probably the biggest premiere of the game in history. “

Sony's decision is rational

The Bloomberg Intelligence forecast from last week shows that both Sony and Nintendo can be forced to raise the prices of their products even 30 percent as a result of new duties.

“Financial Times” cites words David Gibson from MST Financial, who stated that Sony's decision on the increase in prices outside the US could be an attempt to partially compensate for potentially large losses in the sale of consoles in the United States after entering the duties.

In turn, the Pelham Smithers analyst added: “It makes sense to raise prices in other regions right now, because the seasonal demand is low anyway – customers will feel less a price shock later when sales start to grow.”

Other console manufacturers are trying to counteract the effects of the trade war between the USA and China in a different way. Nintendo moved production to Vietnam due to the upcoming premiere of Switch 2 and delayed the launch of pre -sale in the US due to duties.

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