Gamers looking to get the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X console might not have to pay the full amount at launch. U.S. retailer GameStop is launching its own investment plan to charge customers a regular fee in smaller chunks, starting before each next-gen console release.
According to VentureBeat, the company is still weighing its options for next-gen consumers before the holidays. Internal documents suggested “multiple alternative payment models” rolling out September 2020, while including a monthly plan and renting. Amid the last quarter of the fiscal year, GameStop disclosed their plans during their quarterly earnings report. Of course, the plans are dependent on each console’s pricing, with Xbox being the first to share their $499 and $299 USD—roughly $657 and $393 CAD—prices for the Series X and Series S, respectively.
The pricing plans also open the consoles up for accessible purchasing, with consumers saving for PS5 or Xbox Series X as they play. With recessions and significant drops of general income during the COVID-19 pandemic, the pricing plans are also a solution to rolling out next-gen consoles between 2020 to 2021. Savings could also offset additional costs for games, notably as Sony and Xbox push out their gaming on demand services. It’s worth noting GameStop is including a layaway, which lets customers reserve their consoles in stores until paying the full price.
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S release on November 10, 2020 while the PlayStation 5 has yet to reveal their pricing plan and release date. It’s unknown if GameStop’s next-gen payment plan would extend to Canada’s retail equivalent, EB Games.
