Sony Introduces Launch Price Feature on PlayStation Store for Enhanced Transparency
In a move aimed at boosting consumer clarity, Sony has rolled out a new 'launch price' feature on the PlayStation Store, providing gamers with greater insight into the original pricing of PS5 games. This update arrives just as a fresh Dealmania sale kicks off, offering significant discounts on a range of popular titles.
New Feature Shows Original Game Prices
The latest addition to the PlayStation Store interface displays a strip indicating the game's launch price—the cost at release and for at least 30 days afterward. This tool helps players determine whether current discounts represent genuine savings, especially if prices have fluctuated since launch. While it's a relatively minor change, it simplifies the decision-making process for purchases by offering a clear comparison against the original price.
This feature builds on previous enhancements, such as the option introduced in October 2025 to show the lowest price a game has reached in the last 30 days. Together, these updates address the challenge of navigating frequent sales on the platform, where it can be difficult to assess the true value of discounted games.
Gradual Rollout and Current Availability
Currently, the launch price feature is being implemented gradually and is not yet available to all users. Screenshots from Push Square confirm its activation for some players in the UK, though it may not appear universally. It remains unclear whether this update is driven by legal requirements in specific regions or is solely an initiative by Sony to increase transparency.
Despite this digital improvement, experts note that physical copies of games can often be found at lower prices through retailers like Argos or Amazon. Thus, while the new feature aids in informed decision-making, shopping around for the best deal is still advisable.
Dealmania Sale Offers Major Discounts
Coinciding with this update, Sony has launched a new Dealmania sale on the PlayStation Store, featuring substantial price reductions on well-known games. Highlights include:
- EA Sports FC 26 TOTY Edition – £24.99 (50% off)
- Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition – £19.99 (80% off)
- Forza Horizon 5 Deluxe Edition – £41.99 (40% off)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Royal Edition – £39.99 (50% off)
- Hogwarts Legacy: Digital Deluxe Edition – £11.24 (85% off)
This sale, filled with familiar titles, provides an opportunity for gamers to capitalize on these discounts while utilizing the new transparency tools to evaluate savings effectively.
Industry Context and Future Implications
The introduction of the launch price feature reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry toward greater price transparency, potentially influencing consumer trust and purchasing behavior. As digital storefronts become increasingly crowded with sales, such features help users make more informed choices, though their impact may be modest compared to broader market dynamics.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see if other platforms adopt similar measures and how Sony continues to refine its storefront to enhance the user experience. For now, players can enjoy the dual benefits of improved price visibility and a robust sale offering significant savings on PS5 games.
