If you’re one to balk at the ever-increasing price of games, you might not like this either. Back in November 2024, rumors began circulating of Sony trialing dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store. Reddit user Walking_Immortal noticed two different prices for Astro Bot, depending on their sign-in status. And not a small discount either. The adjusted price was $44.99 versus the usual $59.99. Now, one year later, another post has gone viral showing Sony isn’t planning on stopping.
Dynamic pricing, for the uninitiated, is exactly what it sounds like. The practice adjusts prices for goods and services based on demand or inventory. Classic examples include taxis and rideshares costing more during peak traffic hours, or airline tickets costing more depending on the date. In recent years, more traditional retailers have been testing dynamic pricing in brick-and-mortar settings. Not just them, but online retailers flush with user data have also been flirting with the idea. And Sony seems keen to jump on the trend.
Same Household, Different Pricing
The latest Redditor to come across dynamic pricing on PlayStation is DarXIV. While looking at the price of Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition, Dar noticed the price was different between his account and his wife’s. This is despite both of them using the same PlayStation console, within the same region, and using the same currency. Not an encouraging experience, to say the least. Despite the criticism Sony received last year, the company seems committed to dynamic pricing.
Will More Gaming Companies Follow?
For now, it seems Sony is the only gaming company actively testing dynamic pricing. While the practice may be appropriate for airlines and taxis, digital goods are another matter entirely. And judging from the responses on Reddit, most gamers aren’t on board. With $70 games now a reality for some titles, PlayStation users might feel ripped off if they miss out on a dynamic discount. For now, Sony remains silent on the matter, and we’ll need to keep our eyes peeled for any suspicious pricing on the PlayStation Store.
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