@gamerboy100: Security is almost certainly the cause. It's the same reason they were going to shut the stores down. This old store and console hardware does not support modern handshake and encryption standards, so it cannot maintain an acceptable level of security for the modern age. This likely includes support for TLS 1.2, which isn't even the newest version.

Adding security code must be done on a low level and is quite challenging and expensive. Additionally, modern security can require the use of TPM chips -- dedicated hardware that verifies hardware identity and stores cryptographic keys.

While annoying, this sounds like a reasonable compromise to me. Handling the financial transactions on a more secure device and leave the store open is preferred to removing the stores.

@kintoneo: Where are you getting one-time from? There is no one-time code for PS4 to PS5 upgrades.

@CyberEarth: How does having it on a disc save on storage? You still have to install the whole game to your internal storage to be able to play it.

@kintoneo: Is the physical PS5 version going to sell for over $10 more than the physical PS4 version? You are already buying it at a $10 loss, so it is generally harder to recoop your value by buying the more expensive version -- especially when people don't need it.

@Javier: It's a bit better than just a postponement. Forbidden West didn't have an upgrade option. It was either you buy a special edition now or you buy the game again after getting a PS5 later. This statement also ensures that future games will have an upgrade option at the difference in price.

Now, that still means that they are charging the new console tax, which sucks.

@itchyflop: He said that all upgrades would be free for launch window titles. At the time he cited Horizon: Forbidden West as an example launch window title for the free upgrade, which is a part of what prompted the the change here. God of War: Ragnarok and Gran Turismo 7 were never stated to be in the launch window.

Of the three studio purchases, this one is surprising. It makes sense though. Sony's looking to get more into the PC space and their contracted ports have been rough. Looking up Nixxes's ports, I didn't even realize the games were ported by a studio outside the main development team -- which is ideal.

I'm not surprised given their low initial price. Luckily I paid for three years in advance $3.89 a month, so I won't have to worry about this increase for a little while.

@just1mohr: Basic cable for me is still $70 a month plus subscriptions for additional boxes for each TV beyond the first. I already subscribe to way too many streaming services, and I'm still saving money over basic cable. Plus I can just drop the parts that aren't getting used.

And then there are other benefits like being able to watch when I want to without paying for and preconfiguring a DVR. Plus the ability the share my streaming with my family who lives in another house so long as it doesn't break the user and simultaneous streams limit -- thus saving them from paying for cable as well.

The addition of more services and the escalation of prices is making streaming more expensive than it was. But it's still cheaper and better than cable.

Phew. Managed to get one for a friend after a few tries. That was a tight window to check out.