SUMMARY
  • The limited edition 30th anniversary bundle for Sony's PS5 Pro has brought back scalpers looking to capitalize on the potential high demand it is slated to raise.
  • Scalpers are demanding massive amounts of money for a mere attempt at securing one of the 12,300 units of the console that Sony is producing.
  • It is an unfortunate state of affairs that the gaming industry is yet to effectively counter.

PlayStation fans hoping to get their hands on the limited edition PlayStation 5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition Bundle might be reminded of a time when the supply of the base PlayStation 5 was at an all-time low and scalpers ruled over players looking to upgrade to the next-gen powerhouse from Sony.

Attempting to break the limitations of logistical issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be quite the challenge for Sony when it first released the PlayStation 5, creating the scope for scalpers to demand exorbitant prices from players who could not wait to get their hands on the next generation of PlayStation goodness.

A New Type of Scalper Enters the Fray

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The limited edition of the PS5 Pro has given a few scalpers some audacious new ideas to make a quick buck.

While Sony’s supply chain issues are a thing of the past for the PlayStation 5, with a staggering number of PS5s being sold in the intervening years and the console continuing to dominate the market considering Xbox’s many issues, the announcement of the limited edition bundle has come with an unfortunate caveat.

This time around, scalpers are looking to take advantage of the fact that Sony is producing only 12,300 units of its nostalgic callback to the original PlayStation that began its long and successful presence in modern gaming, charging players $10,000 for the chance to acquire one of the limited edition PS5 Pros. It is a situation that neither Sony nor its fans would be happy with, but it is an unfortunate effect of the love that its gaming hardware has garnered over the years.

The PS5 Pro Seeks to Bring the Best of Gaming to Its Players

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With only 12,300 units in stock, the anniversary edition of the PS5 Pro is sure to be a delight to those fortunate enough to buy one.

While it would certainly be a delightful contrast to play the best of what modern gaming has to offer on a PS5 Pro that features well-designed callbacks to the original PlayStation, Sony would hope that its fans do not fall victim to scalpers’ demands, especially considering how ridiculous they currently are.

The post below showcases a ridiculous listing on the popular e-commerce site E-Bay from a scalper. While it was taken down in violation of the company’s policies, it is an unfortunate display of greed from a few individuals looking to make a quick payday off honest customers.

Responses to the post are understandably affronted, with many players expressing the opinion that scalping is a practice that should be stamped out for the sake of progress in the gaming industry.

While the audacity of the scalper in question is indeed unfortunate, another response to the post has a rather interesting alternative to their exorbitant demand.

Another player chose a reference to an iconic scene from a popular franchise that they may have remembered after a session of exploring the galaxy in Star Wars Outlaws.

PlayStation fans would certainly hope that their counterparts do not fall for such scams and attempt to get their hands on a shiny new PS5 Pro through the proper channels.

However, it is a wake-up call for Sony and other big names in the industry, and gamers will hope to see more effective solutions to dissuade scalpers in the near future.