A collection of US Democrats is proposing a bill that would curb the spread of scalper bots focused on instantly purchasing PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles.
As reported by VGC, Representative Paul Tonko, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Ben Ray Luján are introducing the "Stopping Grinch Bots Act." The new law aims to eliminate the use of automatic bots that are designed to purchase highly-sought-after items for scalpers aiming to resell them at an enormous mark-up. Speaking to the bill, Tonko said, "At a time when families should be able to spend time with their loved ones, digital ‘Grinch bots’ are forcing Americans to scour online sites in the hopes of finding an affordable gift or paying exorbitant prices for a single toy," said Tonko.
Despite launching in late 2020, gamers have battled to get their hands on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Beyond the already high demand for the consoles and limited supply, many of the devices were quickly purchased by scalpers, causing most retailers to run out of stock. “These bots don’t just squeeze consumers, they pose a problem for small businesses, local retailers and other entrepreneurs trying to ensure they have the best items in stock for their customers," continued Tonko. While the Xbox Series X is still difficult to purchase, the PlayStation 5 has become notorious for its scarcity. Gamers looking to acquire Sony's latest console have been sighted lining up outside stores in an attempt to get their hands on a PS5.
“Our Grinch Bots Act works to level the playing field and prevent scalpers from sucking hardworking parents dry this holiday season. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation immediately to stop these Grinch bots from stealing the holidays," concluded Tonko.
The problem of scalpers isn't isolated to video game consoles; most recently, opening day tickets for Spider-Man: No Way Home were purchased by bots with the intention of selling them back to desperate fans. Many tickets for the highly-anticipated film are listed on secondary marketplaces for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
While console scalpers are still a problem, more and more resellers are beginning to regret their business practices. While the demand for the PlayStation 5 is still high, the resale value of the console is steadily decreasing. Initially reselling for $1,000 USD, many scalpers have been forced to drop their prices to just under $700 USD, which is still significantly higher than the MSRP of $500 USD.
Source: VGC