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Video games have come a long way and so have their prices. For well over a decade, video game prices were maxed out at 60 dollars, which, for many gamers was hard to pay, as it is. But recently, we have seen an unusual rise in video game prices that hits 70 dollars mark. And it’s not just a couple of games, many big gaming franchises have upped the price to $70 for newer releases.
Tears of Kingdom, the sequel to one of the most popular open-world titles Breath of the Wild, is expected to cost $70, which is quite high. But the same is to be expected with Sony’s upcoming title Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. It seems to become the new normal for video game prices. But why are more games costing over $70 now?
In this article, we will try to find out the reason behind the price hike and try to make sense of the whole situation. And while we are at it, discuss what impact would it have on the gaming community as a whole.
In This Post:
The Rise from $60 to $70
For a very long time, video games have been capped at $60, which became the new standard for game prices since 2006. Many gamers still consider that way too high for a video game’s price but nonetheless, many game developers and publishers have released their games with this price tag. And well, players have bought it, for many reasons.
Games like Sekiro Shadows Die Twice and Death Stranding has cost players around 60 dollars but they were worth the price, judging by the players’ reviews. So, it could very well be a matter of quality and quantity when talking about why a game costs what it costs. But it seems we are past the era of 60s and since 2022, there have been many titles with starting price tag of $70.
This could become a real problem for many gamers and like always, they will be looking for cheaper ways to play the game. That’s has been the case for many years now with players looking for pre-loved accounts. We have already seen the same happening to GTA, with people spending a fortune to buy premium GTA 5 accounts filled with useful resources and items to avoid purchasing a new one.
Rising Development Costs
Now, there are many reasons as to why the prices have hiked so much in the last couple of years and one of the most prominent reasons is definitely the development cost. The cost of developing video games has increased significantly over the years. This is due to several factors, including the need for better graphics and sound, increased complexity of modern games, and the inclusion of new features and technologies. As game development has become more complex, the cost of developing a single game has also increased.
Increased Demand
The other reason why games are costing more has to do with the increased demand. And not only of video games in general, but also the developers who are working on these games. Since both the film and gaming industries are competing for somewhat similar talent, the demand is pretty high. So, naturally when the demand of something increases, so does its price.
The same goes for the demand for games itself, the video game industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with more people playing games than ever before. As demand for games increases, so does the cost of developing and distributing them. Game companies are forced to invest more money in developing games to keep up with the demand.
Inflation and Publishers
Inflation is another factor that contributes to the rising cost of video games. Inflation is a general increase in prices, and it affects all industries, including the video game industry. As the cost of living increases, so do the costs of producing and distributing video games. And to cover that cost, Publishers of the game often set a high price for their game, expecting players to spend more, which they usually do if the game has potential.
But are these prices justified? Well, that depends on who you ask. The increase in game prices has led to some debate among gamers, with many arguing that the higher prices are not justified. However, it is important to note that the cost of developing and distributing video games is a complex issue. Game companies must balance the cost of development with the price they charge for their games. Because if they over-charge for a game that doesn’t rise up to players’ expectations, the company risks a significant loss of fan base and trust.