Multiple Game Companies Are Considering Raising the Price of Games to $69.99 for NextGen

[MadVillainy]

Following the news that NBA 2K21 will cost $10 more on PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series X, the research firm IDG Consulting has said that other game publishers are also considering price increases for their games.

Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, IDG President and CEO Yoshio Osaki explained how game pricing has "remained flat since 2005, whereas TV and movie pricing has increased significantly."


"The last time that next-gen launch software pricing went up was in 2005 and 2006, when it went from $49.99 to $59.99 at the start of the Xbox 360 and PS3 generation," Osaki said. "During that time, the costs and prices in other affiliated verticals have gone up."

These other affiliated verticals include next-gen console game production costs, which have seen increases of "200% to 300%, depending on the IP, studio and genre," without an increase in the price of the games.

For comparisons sake, "cinema ticket prices have risen 39%, Netflix subscription costs have gone up 100%, and Cable TV packages have risen by 105%."

"Even with the increase to $69.99 for next-gen, that price increase from 2005 to 2020 next-gen is only up 17%, far lower than the other comparisons," Osaki continued. "While the cost of development and publishing have gone up, and pricing in other entertainment verticals has also gone up substantially, next-gen software pricing has not reflected these increases. $59.99 to $69.99 does not even cover these other cost increases completely, but does move it more in the proper direction."

Multiple Publishers Apparently Considering Raising Game Prices on PS5 and Xbox Series X

 

[henzINNIT]

It is perfect that one of the first to jump on the price hike is NBA2K, one of the greediest, most insidious little bastards in the industry.

Not in favour. If games are really too expensive to produce, lay off some executives, or just cut their insane bonuses.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

As long as the 70 dollar base game has all the bells and whistles and DLC is strictly alternate costumes, the occasional side mission and a hidden character then I can understand the price jump.

Knew it was coming.

 

[Zorro]

I kinda expected it. Doesn't affect me much as thankfully PS Now and Xbox Gamepass exist and I already only get a few new games a year anyway

 

[Teelie]

As I've already said before, it has been over 15 years since prices went up. Games are actually cheaper now than they were then when adjusting for inflation so a $10 hike isn't too bad. I remember back when games went from $40-50 to $60 and people freaked the **** out how it was the end of gaming. Clearly it was not.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

They are all going to do it, and we will all have to deal with it.

 

[Zorro]

I already am

 

[Iceman]

With gamepass and my ridiculous 2 generation (soon to be 3) backlog I won’t be buying brand new games often. The price rise isn’t really a surprise with prices having been at the same level for a very long time now and games getting ever bigger and more complex. The games I used to buy as a kid feel like a complete ripoff now for price vs content.

 

[Gee]

As a patient gamer, I can easily wait 12+ months for a game to go on sale at deep discount.

If it is a game that I've been waiting for years to play (e.g. Cyberpunk 2077), then it's still Day 1 with good reviews.

 

[psylockolussus]

Games cut their price in like 3 months, its not 50% but still. So I'm not yet alarmed and there are only two games I'm planning to buy at launch (Valhalla and Legion). I just wonder how low the prices of the early ps5 titles would be after 2 years. God of War 2018 is now part of the PlayStation Hits and costs like more or less 20 dollars.

 

[psylockolussus]

I already am

Me too.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I already am

Me too.

what standard edition video games are you guys buying that retail higher than $60?

 

[DarthSkywalker]

As a patient gamer, I can easily wait 12+ months for a game to go on sale at deep discount.

If it is a game that I've been waiting for years to play (e.g. Cyberpunk 2077), then it's still Day 1 with good reviews.

That is basically where I have been for awhile, and this would simply entrench me in that position.

 

[henzINNIT]

The rising cost of game development is largely a myth. Development cycles are truncated, crunch periods extended, sequels have become annual reskins, and the biggest innovations in the most successful titles are the new micro-transactions. The big companies make more money than ever, the market is huge, the price doesn't have to rise at all. Tons of money is being made, it's just all going to the top.

Activision laid off 800 workers the same year it made record revenue. The company pays no tax in America thanks to loopholes, and still collected tax refunds regardless. The CEO makes something like $30mil a year, one of the most over-paid men in the whole world, so greedy that even company shareholders objected to it.

The price doesn't need to increase. The profits just need to be shared appropriately.

 

[psylockolussus]

what standard edition video games are you guys buying that retail higher than $60?

For the ps5, only Grand Theft Auto VI - because that game is way overdue.

I have yet to buy a ps4 game in their original price. And I'm only buying Valhalla and Legion (both are coming to the ps4) laterthis year because I really liked Watch Dogs 2, I need my Ac fiX as I've binged play 11 Ac games for like six months and I know I could spend hundreds of hours with these games just roaming around.

Rdr2, Death Stranding, Spider-Man 2018, God of War 2018 - I finished them under a month and it was a good decision for me that I didn't buy them when they were over $50 dollars. You will get these games cheaper if you just wait for several months or a year. So I'll be doing the same to ps5 titles.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

For the ps5, only Grand Theft Auto VI - because that game is way overdue.

I have yet to buy a ps4 game in their original price. And I'm only buying Valhalla and Legion (both are coming to the ps4) laterthis year because I really liked Watch Dogs 2, I need my Ac fiX as I've binged play 11 Ac games for like six months and I know I could spend hundreds of hours with these games just roaming around.

Rdr2, Death Stranding, Spider-Man 2018, God of War 2018 - I finished them under a month and it was a good decision for me that I didn't buy them when they were over $50 dollars. You will get these games cheaper if you just wait for several months or a year. So I'll be doing the same to ps5 titles.

Did Rockstar confirm that GTAV is going to launch for $70 on Ps5? I remember it was $60 for Ps4 and Xbone but it was one year after the game original launch. By the time the next gen version is released, the game is going to be nearly 8 years old.

 

[psylockolussus]

Did Rockstar confirm that GTAV is going to launch for $70 on Ps5? I remember it was $60 for Ps4 and Xbone but it was one year after the game original launch. By the time the next gen version is released, the game is going to be nearly 8 years old.

I'm not sure if you read my post correctly. I said GTA siX not five. Its going to come out eventually.

As for gtav. I don't really care as I already have it on the ps4.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I'm not sure if you read my post correctly. I said GTA siX not five. Its going to come out eventually.

As for gtav. I don't really care as I already have it on the ps4.

oh yes, sorry. I did read that wrong.

 

[Gee]

what standard edition video games are you guys buying that retail higher than $60?

Here in Canada, games cost 80 bucks at launch.

 

[Zorro]

what standard edition video games are you guys buying that retail higher than $60?

Don't know yet. So far, my planned games will be on xbox gamepass and free next gen upgrades for games I already own

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Here in Canada, games cost 80 bucks at launch.

My understanding is that $80 CA is the standard conversion to $60 US. In the past two generations, were games less expensive?

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Don't know yet. So far, my planned games will be on xbox gamepass and free next gen upgrades for games I already own

when you said you already are, I took that to mean you're already paying a higher than usual price for standard releases of video games

 

[Zorro]

I'm not sure if you read my post correctly. I said GTA siX not five. Its going to come out eventually.

As for gtav. I don't really care as I already have it on the ps4.

You aren't getting the upgrade? It's going to be free for us current owners

 

[Zorro]

when you said you already are, I took that to mean you're already paying a higher than usual price for standard releases of video games

No. I mean I already own games like GTA V and will own Avengers and Cyberpunk 2077. The next gen versions will be free for me.

As far as new games, there's also collector's edition and stuff like that

 

[psylockolussus]

You aren't getting the upgrade? It's going to be free for us current owners

The upgrade is for when I got the ps5? If thats the case, then I would.