Sony has been using an invitation based system to sell ps5 online, while frustrating the congestion of robots and servers for some time. This week, Amazon began to use similar things for Sony's latest game consoles so that "real customers" can get them.
The Playstation 5 store page on Amazon now has an invite button instead of "buy". After the customer clicks the invitation request, Amazon will verify that the account is not a robot by checking its purchase history and creation date. The company still can't guarantee that everyone has a game console and can't predict the waiting time, but the lucky buyer will receive an email with a valid link within 72 hours. You don't need to subscribe to prime to get invitations.
Currently, the invitation system is only applicable to the purchase of Playstation 5 in the United States, but those looking for xbox Series system will be available in the next few days. Eventually, Amazon will introduce this feature to users in other countries and expand it to game consoles and other high demand items.
Other stores also have their strategies to stop robots. Wal Mart saw success soon after the ps5 and Xbox series game consoles were launched. However, best buy tried to use the $200 pay wall to stop the GPU scalpers, which backfired.
Although the supply of new game consoles has improved in recent months, Amazon shoppers may need to rely on the invitation system for a long time. Sony is still unable to make enough ps5 to meet the needs of consumers. Intel and TSMC said that the root cause of the problem - the global chip shortage - could continue until 2024.