$900 PS5 Pro sells out in US as GTA 6 fever overrides PlayStation blackout protest

Sony’s high-end PS5 Pro model has sold out across the United States, with demand driven by anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 — even as a vocal segment of the PlayStation community continues an indefinite blackout protest against the company’s hardware policies.

The console, which carries a recommended retail price of $900, has become so scarce through official channels that third-party resellers on Amazon are now listing the device for as much as $1,300. That represents a significant premium of roughly 44 percent over its standard price, reflecting the intensity of consumer interest in the most powerful version of the PS5.

The sell-out comes at a curious moment for the PlayStation brand. A group of players has organised a campaign urging fans to keep their consoles unplugged indefinitely, a protest that has been running for several weeks. The blackout is intended to send a message to Sony about its hardware strategy, and participants have pledged to skip major upcoming releases — including GTA 6 and the forthcoming Wolverine title — as part of the demonstration.

Yet the market data suggests that the protest has not dampened overall enthusiasm for the PS5 Pro. The console’s rapid disappearance from store shelves indicates that a much larger pool of buyers is willing to pay full price — and then some — to secure the upgraded hardware ahead of Rockstar’s open-world sequel.

The situation highlights a clear split in the PlayStation user base. On one side, a committed minority is prepared to forgo playing new games to make a political point about Sony’s direction. On the other, a far larger group appears to be treating the PS5 Pro as a must-have item, with GTA 6 widely expected to push the hardware to its limits and deliver a showcase experience for the premium console.

The timing is notable. GTA 6 has not yet been released, but its looming presence has already begun to shape purchasing decisions. The PS5 Pro, with its extra graphical horsepower, is seen by many as the ideal platform for the game, and the prospect of playing Rockstar’s next blockbuster at its best has proven a powerful motivator.

Amazon listings for the PS5 Pro currently show the console at the inflated $1,300 price point, with third-party sellers capitalising on the shortage. It is unclear when Sony will replenish stock in the US, and the company has not commented on the sell-out.

The blackout protest, meanwhile, continues to gather attention online, though its practical impact on sales appears limited. The campaign’s organisers have framed the permanent unplugging as a stand against what they see as anti-consumer practices, but the run on the PS5 Pro suggests that the majority of players are not swayed by the call to abstain.

For now, the story of the PS5 Pro in the US is one of supply failing to meet demand, with the promise of GTA 6 acting as a powerful accelerant. Whether Sony can restock quickly enough to satisfy the wave of buyers before the game’s launch remains to be seen, but the early signs are that the company has a hit on its hands — protests notwithstanding.

The situation also raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of consumer boycotts in the gaming industry. While the blackout has generated discussion and media coverage, the willingness of thousands of players to pay above retail for a console they could have bought at MSRP only weeks ago suggests that the protest’s reach is narrower than its organisers might hope.

As the GTA 6 release window draws closer, the PS5 Pro’s stock situation is likely to become even more acute. Third-party prices may climb further if Sony does not move quickly to replenish supply, and the divide between those who can secure the console and those who cannot will only widen.

For now, the message from the market is clear: the PS5 Pro is the console to own for the biggest game of the year, and the price of admission — whether $900 or $1,300 — is one that many players are willing to pay.