Game Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Game Pricing.
Latest coverage
Call Of Duty: MW4 Is Not On Xbox Game Pass, But Here’s When You Can Expect It
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not launch on Xbox Game Pass, requiring a separate purchase starting at $70. It is expected to arrive on the service approximately one year after its October 23 release. This marks a shift from recent Call of Duty titles that debuted on Game Pass, a decision potentially influenced by revenue considerations and an ongoing 'reset' of the Xbox business under CEO Asha Sharma.
Nintendo explains how it prices games, including impact of physical vs. digital
Nintendo's Bill van Zyll explained that game pricing considers value, playtime, complexity, and development costs. The divergence between physical and digital prices on the Nintendo Switch is attributed to the rising costs of manufacturing physical media, such as cartridges and chips, compared to digital distribution.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Tipped to Set Bad Gaming Precedent
The $80 price point for Grand Theft Auto 6's standard edition is predicted by Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima to set a new, higher pricing precedent for games. Klima believes this increase is necessary for the industry's survival, despite the author's concerns that it could price out players and ignore the success of games with lower price points or different models.
GTA 6 Should “Blaze A Trail” To More Expensive Games, Dev Says
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima hopes Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point will encourage other developers to increase game prices, arguing it's necessary for the industry's survival. He believes Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive are among the few companies that can afford to set this precedent, especially as production costs rise and developers face financial difficulties.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance Dev Hopes GTA 6 Will Encourage Studios to Charge More for Their Games
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima expressed hope that Grand Theft Auto 6's eventual price point will set a precedent for other studios to charge more for their games. He believes this could benefit developers in the long run.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lead wants GTA 6 to open the door to charging more for games, even though the popularity of…
Martin Klíma, co-founder of Warhorse Studios and executive producer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, hopes that the success of Grand Theft Auto 6 will pave the way for developers to increase game prices. While Klíma admits he doesn't understand GTA's popularity, he believes higher prices are necessary for the industry's survival and praises Rockstar Games for creating technologically impressive titles.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance studio co-founder hopes Grand Theft Auto 6 will 'blaze a trail' to higher game…
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima hopes Grand Theft Auto 6's anticipated success will pave the way for other studios to increase game prices. While not a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series himself, Klima believes higher prices are necessary for the industry's survival due to rising development costs. He notes that Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive are in a position to lead this price increase, with Grand Theft Auto 6 confirmed to launch at $80.
For Warhorse's 15th birthday, we chatted with its co-founder about the demand for 'grown-up' RPGs, AI, why games are too cheap, and his role in the collapse of communism
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klíma reflects on the company's 15th anniversary, discussing the demand for 'grown-up' RPGs like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, the challenges of game pricing, and the complexities of AI in development. Klíma also touches on his personal history, including his involvement in the Velvet Revolution, and the studio's current projects, including a Lord of the Rings game.
New Soulslike game lowers its price so it can compete with GTA 6 and Zelda
One More Level has announced a lower-than-average price of €39.99 for its upcoming Soulslike game, Valor Mortis, to compete with major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. Publisher Lyrical Games and developer One More Level explained this decision is due to the crowded fall release schedule, aiming to make the new IP more accessible. Valor Mortis is set to launch on October 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Wardogs has already made more money than Marathon, and its Steam launch momentum is ahead of Arc Raiders and Helldivers 2
Wardogs has achieved significant commercial success on Steam, selling over 2.2 million copies and generating $70 million in revenue, outperforming Bungie's Marathon and showing stronger initial momentum than Arc Raiders and Helldivers 2. The game's pricing strategy is cited as a key factor in its success, though developer Bulkhead faces scrutiny over its work culture and CEO Joe Brammer's controversial comments.
Amid rumors of Xbox Game Pass dropping day one games, Microsoft will only confirm that previously announced games are…
Microsoft has not confirmed or denied rumors that day-one game releases will be removed from Xbox Game Pass. While the company stated that previously announced day-one titles are safe, they indicated that future plans are not finalized, potentially impacting upcoming games like Fable and Physint. This news comes amid speculation about potential price increases and changes to the service's features.
RuneScape Dragonwilds isn't getting a price increase when it leaves early access: "We hope this small gesture goes some way to showing our endless appreciation"
Jagex has announced that RuneScape: Dragonwilds will not increase in price when it leaves early access on September 15, maintaining its £24.99/$29.99 cost. This decision is a gesture of appreciation for the game's community and its long-standing support of RuneScape. The game will continue to receive monthly updates, with a major update called Luminance planned for Winter.
Modern gamers spoiled by Steam will never understand the joy of a MegaPak
This article reflects on how modern gamers are spoiled by the abundance and affordability of games compared to the 1990s. It highlights the "MegaPak" compilations from Megamedia Corp as an early precursor to modern game bundles, offering a large collection of PC titles at a budget price. The author argues that while modern gaming offers more choice, the MegaPak era provided a unique, less noisy way to discover games.
In An Unaffordable World, The Future Is Friendslop
The rising cost of gaming is making affordable, social co-op titles, often termed 'friendslop,' increasingly popular. These games are typically priced under $10, mechanically simple, and designed for group play, making them accessible and appealing in an expensive market. Developers are focusing on lower hardware requirements and physics-based interactions to create memorable experiences for players on a budget.
7 Cheaper Alternatives For Popular Games
This article highlights several games that offer similar experiences to more expensive, popular titles at a lower price point. It features recommendations like Another Crab's Treasure as a souls-like alternative, Cassette Beasts for Pokemon fans, and The Crew 2 for racing enthusiasts. Other suggestions include RoboCop: Rogue City for FPS campaigns, Neon White as a Doom-like experience, Kena: Bridge of Spirits for action-adventure fans, and The Ascent as a cyberpunk alternative to Cyberpunk 2077.
What Goes Into A Game Price Tag?
The article explores the factors influencing video game pricing, from the standard $70 AAA price point to lower-cost indie titles. Experts and developers discuss how production costs, market demand, and pricing strategies impact a game's success, with examples like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Mina the Hollower illustrating different approaches. The piece highlights that while some games command premium prices, others thrive by offering lower entry points to reach a wider audience.
Game Companies Could Learn Wrong Lessons From GTA 6’s $80 Price, Analyst Says
Industry analyst Rhys Elliott of Ampere Analytics suggests that publishers might misinterpret Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point as a universal green light for all AAA games. He argues the correct lesson is to maintain a $70 base price and offer premium editions with extras, rather than universally increasing prices, especially as living costs rise and console prices increase.
Why Are Video Game Consoles So Expensive These Days (And Games Historically Cheap)?
Video game consoles and games are becoming increasingly expensive due to a confluence of factors including tariffs, AI-driven demand for components, and a structural shift in the console business model. Experts predict hardware costs will remain high for several more years, potentially impacting future console generations like the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix.
Sony killing PlayStation discs will make PS Store prices cheaper, former Square Enix financial exec says, and you only need to look at Steam to understand why
A former Square Enix executive suggests that Sony's move to a digital-only PlayStation Store by 2028 could lead to cheaper game prices. Jacob Navok argues that publisher competition, similar to Steam's model, will drive down prices as physical production and distribution costs are eliminated. However, this shift also raises concerns about digital ownership rights and the loss of physical media options for consumers.
WARDOGS Early Access Begins on September 10; Developer Outlines Why You Shouldn’t Buy In
The tactical FPS WARDOGS will enter Early Access on September 10th, with developer Bulkhead being transparent about pricing and content expectations. The game will launch at $39.99 during Early Access, increasing to $49.99 before the final 1.0 release at $59.99. Preorders receive access to a Closed Beta Weekend starting August 21st.
