The long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer has ignited considerable excitement, with the hype now directly impacting the market for the PlayStation 5 Pro. Following Rockstar's release of the 26-minute extended look at the game, third-party sellers have begun significantly inflating prices for the console.
Reports indicate that major retailers have seen PS5 Pro stock depleted, creating an environment where third-party sellers are charging substantially more. Listings on platforms like Walmart and Best Buy have reached as high as $1,400, with one specific listing priced at $1,299.99, a steep increase from the console's original $899 MSRP. This surge suggests that demand, amplified by the GTA 6 reveal, is leading consumers to pay a premium for the hardware.
Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature enhancements on the PS5 Pro, though specific details about these improvements remain undisclosed. The fact that the extended-look footage was captured on PS5 hardware further solidifies the Pro as the target console for players seeking the most advanced PlayStation experience.
Beyond the immediate GTA 6 effect, the broader gaming hardware market faces potential price increases due to proposed tariffs on semiconductors and related products by the Trump administration. Such tariffs could lead to higher costs being passed on to consumers, compounding existing price hikes. The PlayStation 5 itself has already seen a $150 price increase since its launch, and other consoles have also experienced significant price adjustments.
Adding to the landscape of consumer concerns, Sony is currently involved in a class-action lawsuit in California. Plaintiffs argue that the sale of digital games constitutes a license to use software rather than an outright purchase. Sony maintains that consumers understand this distinction, citing its PlayStation agreement which states software is "licensed to you, not sold."
Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on November 19 for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.