I’ve been reflecting on video game prices lately and wondering if the recent increase is really a bad thing. Most games have been priced at around $60 for a long time, and when I think back to my childhood, I once considered this pricing high. Now, however, I find myself reconsidering; it feels relatively cheap given how much entertainment we get.
For context, if I look at my other hobbies, like going to the movies—which can cost me about $30 for just 2 hours of entertainment—video games seem to offer way more bang for your buck. For instance, titles like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty present extensive gameplay and regular updates, making $60 or even $70 seem like a good deal.
However, I understand the concern about pricing games out of reach for some people due to rising costs, which could be unfair for those who find the price too steep. Yet, game publishers often adjust pricing based on anticipated revenue, especially with the success of microtransactions and in-game purchases that boost profits beyond the initial sale. It makes me curious—couldn’t higher prices be justified if the game provides a lot of content? I’d love to hear other perspectives on this!
3 Answers
I have mixed feelings. Some games are clearly worth $70 or more, like RDR2 with its deep story. But then there are those that feel overpriced for the quality. It’s frustrating when you shell out cash and find a bunch of microtransactions lurking afterward.
I’m with you. If a game impresses me, I’ll pay up, but I’m wary of inflated prices without delivering on quality.
Honestly, I think it’s justified. Production costs are definitely on the rise, and inflation is hitting every market. While it sucks that wages aren’t keeping up, that’s not on the game developers. Plus, the entertainment value we get out of games is way better than other forms of entertainment, like movies!
Agreed! My issue is more with the executives profiting without sharing the love with the developers who actually make the games.
Right? At the end of the day, it’s all about finding balance in pricing without sacrificing quality.
From my perspective, prices should actually be higher. When I started gaming back in the early 2000s, games were around $50, and here we are decades later only seeing a $20 increase. Considering production costs, top-tier games could easily justify pricing in the $85-$100 range. So, $70 feels quite reasonable!
True, but they keep adding microtransactions, so I don’t understand the need for a price hike.
Exactly! Games should be priced for the content we get, not just because they can tack on extra costs.
Yeah, I tend to wait for sales on most games! There are so many in my backlog, I can be patient.