Game Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Game Pricing.
Latest coverage
Xbox CEO called Game Pass 'too expensive for players' in a leaked memo
A leaked internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reveals that Microsoft considers the current pricing of Game Pass to be too expensive for players. Sharma stated that the company needs to find a better value proposition and plans to evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system over time. This comes after Microsoft increased the subscription price twice in the past 15 months.
Game Pass Is Too Expensive And It Will Change, Xbox CEO Says
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma has acknowledged that Xbox Game Pass has become too expensive and stated that changes are coming to improve its value proposition. While no immediate changes are expected, Sharma is exploring a more flexible system and potential bundle offerings with companies like Netflix. These discussions follow a significant price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in October 2025.
Call of Duty kan försvinna från Game Pass dag 1, spekuleras det
Rumors suggest Microsoft is considering not releasing the next Call of Duty title on Game Pass on its launch day due to concerns that the subscription service cannibalizes sales. This speculation follows a lukewarm reception and player drop for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and a recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate.
Honest Indie Dev Cuts Demining Price as Game Exits Early Access
Indie developer Karba is lowering the price of their minesweeper-style game Demining to $4.79 as it exits Early Access after two years. This decision comes as the developer acknowledges not being able to deliver promised features like ultra-wide support and custom settings. Karba plans to continue monitoring for bugs while moving on to new projects, a move praised as honest and player-centric.
Slay the Spire 2 beats Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem as March's biggest-selling game on Steam
Slay the Spire 2 reportedly topped Steam's sales charts for March, selling an estimated 5.3 million copies and generating around $108 million in revenue during its early access debut. Crimson Desert followed with 1.9 million units sold, while Climber Animals Together and Resident Evil Requiem each sold 1.2 million copies. The analysis highlights Steam's receptiveness to aggressive discounts, as seen with Resident Evil 3 Remake's strong sales driven by a 90 percent discount.
I bought a PS5 on launch day but I won't be buying a PS6, even though its exclusives aren't coming to PC…
A hardware writer expresses disillusionment with the PlayStation 5's increasing price and questions the value of future consoles like the PlayStation 6. While acknowledging the appeal of PlayStation exclusives, the author finds themselves drawn more to the Nintendo Switch and PC gaming due to cost-effectiveness and a preference for self-contained game experiences over large, open-world titles.
Gamers Are Just Realising This Massive Change to Xbox Game Pass – And It’s a Big Deal | Invision Game
Players are noticing subtle but significant changes in how Xbox Game Pass is being marketed and how long games remain available on the service. While still considered a strong value, these shifts are sparking community discussion about Microsoft's evolving strategy for its subscription offering.
We Should Be In The Mario Galaxy Movie | Kurt & Lucy Gotcha Covered
This article rounds up various game trailers and reveals, including Guilty Gear Strive, Mortal Shell 2, and FIST OF THE NORTH STAR: HOKUTO NO KEN. It also touches on the rising cost of games and the importance of transparency regarding Early Access titles, with a mention of Sony potentially discontinuing a service.
Is Crimson Desert coming to Game Pass? Speculation, potential release date, and more
Crimson Desert is currently not available on Xbox Game Pass, and Pearl Abyss has made no announcements regarding its inclusion. While the game has been a commercial success, selling over four million copies, its $70 price tag leads to speculation about its potential future addition to subscription services like Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, similar to Cyberpunk 2077 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Price Hike or Discount? Nintendo's Changes to Physical and Digital Game Pricing Have Analysts Split, Too
Nintendo is implementing changes to its game pricing in the U.S., leading to differing prices for physical and digital copies. This move has industry analysts divided on whether it represents a price hike or a discount, depending on the format.
Could the new Gears of War game arrive on PlayStation at the same time as Xbox?
Speculation is mounting about whether Gears of War: E-Day could launch simultaneously on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, despite Microsoft's historical focus on exclusivity. While a same-day release seems unlikely given the current market dynamics and Microsoft's efforts to reassure players about the Xbox brand, the possibility of a future PlayStation release is being discussed. The article also touches on the impact of rising console prices on the gaming market.
Gaming’s Getting Expensive AF — Are We Headed for a Rich vs Free Market Split?
An analyst report suggests the gaming industry is splitting into a premium market for wealthy players and a free-to-play market for the masses, driven by rising AAA game prices. Games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox are gaining significant traction as players opt for accessible, free experiences over expensive new releases. This trend is reshaping gaming culture and forcing developers to reconsider their monetization strategies.
New Steam pricing tools could change what you pay for games
Valve has released new pricing conversion tools for Steam, designed to assist developers in setting game prices for different regions. This update aims to streamline the process of determining regional pricing for games on the platform.
Nintendo Switch 2 Goes Digital Crazy, Physical Prices C... | TAG
Nintendo is implementing a new pricing strategy for the Nintendo Switch 2, where digital and physical versions of games will have different Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices, starting with 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book' on May 21. Separately, a canceled PlayStation 5 project from Dark Outlaw Games was not intended to be a live-service title, and Intel has launched the Arc Pro B70 graphics card for AI applications rather than gaming.
Newly revealed Nordic Game speaker line-up to include Planet of Lana devs
A discussion is emerging regarding Nintendo's pricing strategy for the upcoming Yoshi title on Nintendo Switch, with digital versions priced $10 cheaper than physical copies. This move has sparked debate about digital versus physical game costs, with hopes that Sony and Microsoft will follow suit in offering lower prices for digital purchases.
Nintendo might charge less for digital Switch games?
Nintendo will implement different pricing for digital and physical versions of games starting May 2026, with digital copies expected to be cheaper. This change, beginning with titles like 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book,' reflects the lower manufacturing costs of digital distribution and aims to encourage digital purchases, potentially leading to higher profit margins for the company.
Crimson Desert's reviews may be mixed, but here's how you could get the game for just $1 and avoid buyer's remorse
Despite mixed reviews for Crimson Desert, the article suggests a way to potentially acquire the game for $1 through Fanatical's Mystery Star Bundle to avoid buyer's remorse. It highlights the game's middling critical and audience scores as a reason for this approach.
Ahead of GTA 6, Take-Two CEO says "It’s hard for me to imagine" including ads in a $70-$80 game:…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that it is "very difficult to believe" they would include in-game advertising in a game priced at $70 or $80, specifically mentioning Grand Theft Auto 6. He believes such advertising would seem unfair to players who have paid a premium for the game. Zelnick also commented on the high anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6, suggesting that nearly everyone over 17 would be interested in playing it.
Remedy releases its final content update for FBC: Firebreak
Remedy Entertainment has released the final content update, "Open House," for its online multiplayer game FBC: Firebreak. While new content will cease, the studio plans to keep the game playable online indefinitely. The update also reduces the game's price to $20 and introduces a Friend's Pass feature.
In-Game Ads For Full-Price Games "Would Seem Unfair," GTA 6 Parent Company Boss Says
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Grand Theft Auto 6 parent company Take-Two Interactive, stated that in-game advertisements in full-priced games would be unfair to consumers. While acknowledging their presence in free-to-play titles and sports simulations like NBA 2K, he believes it's inappropriate for games costing $70 or $80. This discussion follows industry analysis suggesting ads could help maintain current game prices.
