A price drop before The Last of US Remastered release date should offer good news for PlayStation Now subscribers, but Sony's refund policy could throw a wet blanket over the frenzy.
Sony's overhauled version of The Last of Us for the PlayStation is much-anticipated, even if publisher Naughty Dog confirmed it's still the same game, with better graphics and a few extras thrown in.
Remastered versions are a running trend in the next-generation consoles, with titles like Tomb Raider and Grand Theft Auto V receiving the same treatment. Fans were excited when Naughty Dog confirmed a release of The Last of Us on the PlayStation 4, especially with news the version will showcase graphics that maximize the PS4 hardware's capabilities.
The title is available for pre-order in the past few weeks, offered at $59.99 by various retailers. A recent update reflected a price drop for pre-orders, though. At $49.99, subscribers' first instinct was to demand a refund, ten dollars credited back to PlayStation Now wallets or to credit cards.
Refunds are unlikely prior to The Last of US Remastered release date, though, based on the fine print indicated on the PSN pre-order page: "YOU MAY NOT CANCEL A PRE-ORDER AT ANY TIME AND REFUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDERS, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAWS."
Partial and full refunds don't apply to price drops. The policy is usually waived by other suppliers in an effort to appease disappointment, but the PlayStation Now policy holds, and subscribers are well-aware of it. Sony is presently holding its position on its refund policy.
The snag on the price drop could damage Sony's PSN customer base, especially for subscribers accustomed to pre-orders. It's usually good business to give people refunds, for the retailer and subscriber's benefit. Amazon and big-name distributors offer these by default, and Sony is expected to bend its own refund rules prior to The Last of US Remastered release date (ps4daily.com).
