New Zealanders hoping to get their hands on a PlayStation 5 may soon have to fork out more for one than expected - that is if they can ever find stock in a shop.
Writing on the company's blog, Jim Ryan - president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) - revealed "challenging economic conditions" had forced the "difficult decision" to increase the price in selected markets across the world.
"The global economic environment is a challenge that many of you around the world are no doubt experiencing," he wrote.
"We're seeing high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends, impacting consumers and creating pressure on many industries."
However, those in the United States will escape the price hike, with the likely head-to-head with Microsoft's Xbox consoles a reason for not increasing prices there.
In the breakdown that followed, SIE revealed prices in Australia would increase to AU$649.95 for the PS5 Digital Edition and AU$799.95 for the PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive.
However, the lack of Aotearoa in the list doesn't mean we're as lucky as the Americans. In the small print at the end it says: "Select markets in EMEA, APAC and LATAM not listed above may also receive price increases. Please check with your local retailer."
New Zealand is part of the APAC market and with prices increasing in Australia, it's highly likely they'll increase here too.
That would likely see the price rise from the current RRP of NZ$819.95 in NZ for the disc edition to something closer to $900.
Just how quickly that will come to fruition, however, is unknown.
PS5 consoles have been out of stock in New Zealand for much of the time since they were released nearly two years ago.
Most retailers don't list the console as available to buy any more. Those that do tend to ask customers to inquire in-store about availability.
That has led to a booming secondary market in New Zealand with consoles going for premium prices on both TradeMe and on Facebook Marketplace.
The company said it was its "top priority" to improve the PS5 supply situation so that "as many players as possible can experience everything that PS5 offers and what's still to come".
Rival brand Xbox said it was "constantly evaluating" its business, but confirmed it had no immediate plans to raise the prices of its X or S series consoles.
Nintendo is also unlikely to increase the price of its Switch consoles.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa told Nikkei that the company wanted to avoid pricing people out.
"Our competition is the variety of entertainment in the world, and we always think about pricing in terms of the value of the fun we offer," he said.
Sony has been approached for comment by Newshub on potential price increases and availability of the consoles in Aotearoa.
