Summary
In case you missed it, thePlayStation 5 Prois real.It costs $699.99 and comes with 2 TB of storage. Oh,and it doesn’t have a disc drive.
That latter part had fans upset,as the disc drive is an additional $79.99andinstantly became hard to get. Those with launch day PS5s are unable to remove the existing drive —a feature that only became available on the slim edition.
Now,in a new interview with IGN, PlayStation Senior Principal Product Manager Toshi Aoki revealed Sony’s rationale for not packaging the peripheral with the console. After all, if the console already costs $700, then what’s an extra $50-60 to ensure fans can play their discs? The reasoning, according to Aoki, comes down to “choice.”
Is It Really A Choice, Though?
First and foremost, Aoki defended the console’s high price point,telling IGN that the technology behind the console, as well as the SSD and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities help round out a package that is of “exceptional value” to players, particularly the brand’s most “engaged players,” who they are targeting.
As for the disc drive, Aoki said it’s about “giving players choices.” That same thought process also applies to the vertical stand, another component not included in a purchase.
He added:
“For the disc drive, it is an option for players. Not all players have discs, even though most players may…but we have the option for being able to add that for those players. So I think it’s more of the balance of the value proposition that we’re giving.”
Perhaps what most stands out about the rationale is that Sony is openly acknowledging that “most” players likely have discs, even if they’re not game related as the disc drive can also play 4K Blu-rays. With that in mind, it’s really not much of a choice. Because if you have a collection of discs and want to use them, then youhaveto buy a disc drive lest you sell them off and convert your library to digital.
More so, if the disc drive is constantly finding itself sold out, then wouldn’t it have made sense to include one in the first place to help mitigate that? Sure, the console might have been pricier, though if you’re already paying $700, then is an extra $50 that much more? After all, the console is targeting enthusiasts, who would likely have purchased it at any price point either way.
It seems unlikely that Sony will revise its PS5 Pro packaging to account for a drive, especially this late in the cycle. Though perhaps there exists a lane to subsidize it for purchasers or something similar. Because, as it stands, it’s not really a choice for most gamers.
