Sony has announced the PlayStation Direct store will be launching in Europe. The store will be opening in Germany today, with a launch in a handful of other European countries to “follow shortly.” The arrival of the store will finally give European gamers the chance to purchase hardware and games directly from PlayStation.
Those in Germany hoping to get their hands on an elusive PlayStation 5 console will be disappointed, however. While the PlayStation Direct store will offer both disc and digital versions of the console, neither are available today. However, the Direct store does offer PlayStation 4 consoles, DualShock 4 controllers, a range of PS5 accessories (including the DualSense controller in three different colors and the new Pulse 3D Wireless Headset in Midnight Black), PlayStation Now memberships, PlayStation Plus memberships, and a couple of games. Those with an existing PlayStation Plus membership can also make use of free standard shipping.
PlayStation Direct will also arrive soon in the UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. There’s no exact date for when these countries will be able to make use of the store but its impending arrival doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Almost a year ago, Sony was advertising for a Director for PlayStation Direct Europe while declaring they were “looking to build on the successful launch of new direct-to-consumer business in the US with the launch in Europe.” While the launch has taken longer than some people expected, today’s launch suggests the store will be available in all six listed European countries by the end of 2021.
The PlayStation Direct store originally launched in the US in September 2019, offering a range of PlayStation 4 products. Since then, the store’s range has expanded to include a much bigger selection of PlayStation hardware and games that can be purchased directly from Sony. As their prices are similar to third party sellers, many gamers prefer to deal directly with Sony rather than other retailers and middlemen. Unfortunately the system hasn’t been without its hiccups, such as when invites to purchase a PS5 console were sent to those who already owned a console.
[Source: Twitter]
