60 hours of PS5 gameplay required before playing GTA 6 on a PS5 Pro; Sony Japan to sell the console only to eligible gamers through lottery

Sony is not letting just anyone walk up and buy a PS5 Pro in Japan right now. Before a buyer can even enter the lottery, their Sony account needs to show at least 60 hours of confirmed playtime on a PS4 or PS5 console. This playtime has to fall between September 27, 2024 and September 27, 2026. Only accounts that clear this bar get a shot at applying for a purchase slot, as reported by Mashable.

It is an unusual step for a company to take, but Sony seems focused on making sure the limited stock goes to people who actually play on its consoles, rather than resellers or one time buyers looking to cash in on scarcity.

Why Is The PS5 Pro Facing A Shortage In Japan

The shortage is tied almost entirely to one game. Grand Theft Auto VI is still weeks from release, yet the anticipation around it has already pushed up demand for Sony's most powerful console. Rockstar Games has confirmed the title will be playable across multiple platforms, but fans chasing the best possible visuals and performance are turning to the PS5 Pro specifically, and that surge in interest has outpaced what Sony can currently supply.

How Does The Lottery Process Actually Work
Once a player meets the playtime requirement, they can apply through the Sony Store lottery in Japan. Applications remain open until October 7. Sony will inform winners of the draw by October 26, after which they can go ahead and complete their purchase, accroding to Mashable. Consoles secured through the lottery will reach winners in the first half of November, putting the hardware in players' hands just days before GTA 6 arrives on November 19.

What Happens If A Player Does Not Qualify
Anyone short of the 60 hour playtime mark simply cannot enter the lottery this round. Sony has not announced a parallel route for new or casual players to pick up a PS5 Pro in Japan during this period, which means newcomers wanting the console ahead of GTA 6 may have to wait for stock to stabilise or look at alternate retail channels once the lottery cycle ends.

Why Has Demand For The PS5 Pro Grown So Quickly
Console shortages tied to a single blockbuster release are not new, but the scale of anticipation around GTA 6 has been building for years. Rockstar's previous entry in the series, GTA V, remained a commercial force for over a decade after launch, and expectations for its successor have only grown since the first trailer dropped. That long runway of hype appears to be translating directly into hardware demand months before the actual game ships.

PS5 Pro Availability In Every Market Right Now
Not quite. While Japan is dealing with a shortage driven by demand, several other markets, including India, do not have the console on sale at all. Sony has pointed to regulatory reasons rather than supply issues for that gap, which is a separate problem from the one currently playing out in Japan.

GTA 6 And The Craze
Grand Theft Auto VI is the next mainline entry in Rockstar Games' long running open world crime series, set in the fictional state of Leonida and its city of Vice City. It marks the first new numbered title in the franchise since GTA V released back in 2013, and it is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated video game launches in recent memory. Rockstar has already confirmed the game will release on November 19, and pre release merchandise, including a large collector's box with branded accessories, has added to the buzz surrounding the launch.

The PS5 Pro, meanwhile, is Sony's mid generation upgrade to its standard PS5 console, built with a more powerful GPU and improved ray tracing meant to deliver sharper visuals and steadier frame rates in supported games.


Why Has The PS5 Pro Not Launched In India Yet
Unlike Japan, where the problem right now is too much demand against limited stock, India has a different issue which is, the PS5 Pro has never been sold there officially at all. When Sony launched the console globally in November 2024, India was left off that list. The company said the console could not go on sale in markets, including India, because of the 6GHz wireless band used by its Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, which had not been cleared for use by regulators.

India's telecom department has reportedly been given until 2027 to take a final call on allocating that spectrum band, which has kept the console in limbo for close to two years now with no confirmed launch date. There have been signs of movement though. Reports this year noted that the PS5 Pro appeared on India's Bureau of Indian Standards certification database, a step every electronics product needs to clear before it can be sold in the country. That listing does not confirm a launch date, but it does suggest Sony may be preparing the ground for one. Reports estimate a potential India price for PS5 Pro will be above Rs 75,000 if the console does arrive, well above what the standard PS5 currently sells for in the country.

So while Japanese gamers are being asked to prove their playtime just to enter a lottery for a console that is already on shelves, Indian gamers are still waiting for the PS5 Pro to show up at all.