Video games are getting pricier, and if recent announcements are any indication, the $80 price tag could soon become the new standard. Nintendo and Microsoft are among the first to embrace this trend, and it seems likely that other companies will follow. But is it too much for a single title? A former PlayStation executive has an interesting take on the matter.
The $59.99 price point was the norm for nearly two decades. But in 2020, Take-Two Interactive and other publishers raised prices to $69.99, setting a new baseline for AAA games. Now, the industry appears poised for another adjustment.
Nintendo recently confirmed that Mario Kart World, a launch title for the upcoming Switch 2, will cost $80, while others, such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, will be more affordable. Microsoft also announced that future first-party games will see a price bump alongside the next generation of Xbox hardware.
While the news has sparked concern, former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida, who spent nearly 30 years with Sony, believes variable pricing is the right move.
Yoshida Defends the Price Hike
Speaking to Critical Hits Games during Gamescom LATAM, Yoshida pointed out that many everyday products have gotten more expensive in recent years, and suggested it was “almost too late” for gaming companies to start looking at the pricing structure.
Yoshida also backed Nintendo’s decision to charge more for certain titles, stating that a game’s price should be tied to the value it offers and the resources needed to make it.
“I don’t believe that every game has to be priced the same. Each game has a different value or budget. I totally believe it’s up to the publisher, or developers self-publishing, to price their product to the value they believe they are bringing in,” he said.
Ultimately, the longtime PlayStation figure believes $80 is still a bargain for top-tier AAA titles, which provide several hours of entertainment.
“In terms of actual price of $70 or $80, for really great games, I think it will still be a steal in terms of the amount of entertainment that top, top quality games bring to people compared to other form of entertainment,” Yoshida added. “As long as people choose carefully how they spend their money, I don’t think they should be complaining.”
Will PlayStation Raise Its Prices Too?
With this shift, many are wondering which publishers will raise prices next. One big question is whether Rockstar Games might charge over $100 for Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history.
Some analysts suggest PlayStation could follow in the footsteps of its competitors by increasing the price of its consoles and upcoming AAA titles. For now, games like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei are still listed at $69.99.
Do you agree with Yoshida? Let us know in the comments.