CURRYS has announced a new system for gamers hoping to buy the in-demand PlayStation 5.
The UK retailer’s new “Priority Pass” lottery scheme went live on Wednesday and will randomly select registered gamers to be given the chance to buy Sony’s new console.
It’s designed to block the activity of so-called “scalpers” – seedy groups who use automated bots to buy up PS5s in bulk and sell them on for profit.
The £449 console is currently sold out at Currys – as well as multiple other stores – and there’s no word on when a restock will drop.
To enter for a Priority Pass, head to this link and plug in your contact details.
A handful of lucky customers who enter will then be selected at random to receive an invitation to purchase a PlayStation 5.
The winners will be drawn on an unspecified future date. Retailers currently restock the console once every few weeks.
When new stock is available, Currys will contact a handful of random entrants and request a payment.
If payment is not received, that entrant will lose their allocation and the console will be offered to the next random participant.
It’s important to note that entering your email doesn’t guarantee you an opportunity to buy a PS5 – you’ll need a stroke of luck, too.
It’s not clear how many consoles Currys will have on offer and there’s no way to know how many people have signed up for a Priority Pass.
That means your chances of being one of those lucky few entrants are likely pretty slim.
The system promises to give regular consumers a chance over rampant scalpers who use bots to bag themselves hundreds of consoles at a time.
It will also mean the website is less likely to crash when stock becomes available, an issue suffered by several major retailers in recent weeks.
A similar system was launched last year by UK retailer Box for sales of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X console.
Sony launched two versions of the PlayStation 5 in the US on November 12, and in the UK on November 19.
The full PS5 costs £449/$499, while a Digital Edition without a disc tray is priced at £359/$399.
They’re up against Microsoft’s Xbox Series X (£449) and Xbox Series S (£249), which hit shelves worldwide on November 10.
The PS5 launched with major exclusive games like Spider-Man Miles Morales and a revamped version of Dark Souls for players to enjoy.
Xbox gamers, on the other hand, have a new Halo title to look forward to later this year.
All four consoles have been sold out around the world, with stock seesawing in and out of availability over the past few weeks.
PlayStation boss Jim Ryan recently offered hope to gamers who wanted a console.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Ryan admitted that stock levels would climb steadily month-on-month.
He added that from July onwards, it will be much easier to get a PS5.
“It will get better every month throughout 2021,” Ryan explained.
“The pace of the improvement in the supply chain will gather through the course of the year.
“So by the time we get to the second half of [2021], you’re going to be seeing really decent numbers indeed.”
In other news, Trending In The News’s favourite alternative to a games console is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.
Grab a VR headset and you’ll be able to play the legendary Beat Saber – like Guitar Hero, but with lightsabers.
And Dell’s Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
Are you still on the hunt for a PS5? Let us know in the comments!
