Sony has increased the prices of several PlayStation 5 titles on the Brazilian PlayStation Store, prompting frustration among local gamers. The price hike applies to both first-party and third-party games and affects even launch titles like Demon’s Souls.
The company explained the adjustments as a response to “challenging market conditions, including fluctuating exchange rates.” For example, the new release Death Stranding 2: On the Beach saw its price rise from R$349.90 (approximately $63.80) to R$399.90 (about $72.98) just days after launch.
Many Brazilian players note that third-party games are often available for much lower prices on platforms like Steam. Combined with the high cost of gaming hardware in Brazil, these increases contribute to widespread dissatisfaction among the community.
In a translated statement shared by GameVicio, Sony Interactive Entertainment said:
“Sony Interactive Entertainment has updated the pricing of PlayStation Store content due to challenging market conditions, including fluctuating currency exchange rates. As a result, Brazil has seen an increase in PS Store games and add-on content. Pricing decisions vary by region and are based on the current economic environment.”
While the PlayStation 5 continues to perform well globally, it has experienced slower adoption in regions like Europe due to high prices. Brazil and potentially other South American markets may face similar challenges. Although the United States has mostly avoided such significant price changes, the PS5 Digital Edition price increased from $399.99 to $449.99 a few years ago, indicating that price pressures could affect other markets in the future.
Brazilian gamers affected by these increases express growing concerns over affordability in console gaming, raising questions about the long-term impact on the community.