Sony Japan Enforces Playtime Requirement To Combat PS5 Pro Scalpers

Sony Japan mandates 30 hours of PS4 or PS5 playtime to pre-order the 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro, aiming to curb scalpers.

The 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro sold out quickly in the West, leading to high resale prices from scalpers.
Sony Japan requires buyers to have a PlayStation Network account registered in Japan with at least 30 hours of playtime logged from February 2014 to September 2024.
This initiative aims to ensure that only genuine PlayStation fans can pre-order the limited edition console.
The pre-order process in Japan includes a lottery system if demand exceeds supply, differing from the chaotic Western pre-order experience.
Some fans in the West are calling for similar measures to be implemented to protect against scalping.