Video Game Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Video Game Pricing.
Latest coverage
GameStop, other retailers to sell used PlayStation 5 Pro units for 66 percent over MSRP
Retailers like GameStop are selling used PlayStation 5 Pro units for significantly inflated prices, ranging from $1,399.99 to $1,499.99, a 60-66 percent increase over MSRP. This surge is attributed to high demand, limited supply, and anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6, which is "PS5 Pro Enhanced." Other console manufacturers like Microsoft and Nintendo are also facing hardware shortages and price increases.
GameStop Is Preparing Us For Next-Gen Pricing With $1,400 Used PS5 Pros
GameStop is listing used PlayStation 5 consoles for $1,400, a significant markup over the new retail price, potentially conditioning consumers for higher future hardware costs. This pricing strategy is seen as capitalizing on current stock constraints and chip shortages, drawing comparisons to scalper behavior.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Producer Hopes GTA 6 Encourages More Games to be Priced at $80
Martin Klíma, producer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, expressed hope that Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point will encourage other games to adopt higher pricing. While Klíma admitted Grand Theft Auto 6 doesn't appeal to him personally, he believes its success could be necessary for the industry's survival. Analysts offer mixed opinions on the viability of $80 game prices.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 boss hopes GTA 6 pushes game prices up because it's "long overdue and also necessary for this business to survive"
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima believes that Grand Theft Auto 6's potential $80 price tag could pave the way for higher game prices across the industry, which he deems necessary for survival due to ballooning development costs. While Klima is not personally interested in playing Grand Theft Auto 6, he hopes Rockstar Games' pricing strategy will allow other developers to increase unit prices without relying on microtransactions.
Wardogs boss says "games need to cost more" and GTA 6 should've been the game to make the change
Wardogs lead Joe Brammer argues that video games are priced too low, citing the high cost of development and suggesting Grand Theft Auto 6 missed an opportunity to set a new $80 price standard. He believes the industry's economic struggles stem from games being too cheap, a sentiment echoed by Double Fine founder Tim Schafer who expressed confusion over game development economics. While some companies like Nintendo and Rockstar have experimented with higher prices, Brammer insists that developers need to be more vocal about increasing game costs.
Disney's Dreamlight Valley Switch 2 Cozy Edition is up for pre-order, but it's cheaper to stick with the magic…
The new Disney Dreamlight Valley Cozy Edition for Nintendo Switch is a re-release of the previous version with a higher price tag and only a download code. The article advises against purchasing it, recommending the original Cozy Edition and a free Switch 2 upgrade instead to save money and potentially put towards upcoming DLC.
Buy GTA 6 from O2 for just 5p a day even if you're not a subscriber
O2 is offering a special installment plan for Grand Theft Auto 6, allowing customers to pay as little as 4.6p per day after an initial £20 deposit. This offer is available to everyone, not just O2 subscribers, and applies to the standard edition on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S with 0% interest. Other games like Marvel's Wolverine, EA Sports FC 27, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 also have pre-order options through O2.
Until Dawn 2 is notably cheaper than most first-party PlayStation games, but is this anything to be worried about?
Until Dawn 2 has been priced at £45 on the PlayStation Store, making it notably cheaper than most full-priced first-party PlayStation Studios games. This lower price point raises questions about the potential length of the adventure, though the game features a new cast and setting on Akishima Island.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake price leaks through Nintendo itself, and it's one of the cheaper Switch…
The price for a rumored remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly leaked via the Australian Nintendo Store at AU$94.95, suggesting a $60 USD price point. This places it similarly to Yoshi's Crafted World and below other premium releases like Donkey Kong Country Returns and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, indicating Nintendo may view it as a traditional remake rather than a full-scale reimagining.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Collector's Edition is $350 and comes with a huge Cloud, Sephiroth, and Zack statue
Square Enix has revealed the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Collector's Edition, priced at $350 and including a large statue of Cloud, Zack, and Sephiroth. The edition also bundles the Deluxe Edition content, which features two DLC expansions, a mini-soundtrack, artbook, steelbook, and a Magic: The Gathering card. This collector's edition is exclusive to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch players.
Sony Interactive Entertainment to pay $7.85 million settlement regarding digital game prices
Sony Interactive Entertainment has agreed to a $7.85 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging anticompetitive conduct related to digital game prices on PlayStation. The lawsuit claimed SIE's actions, including stopping third-party retailers from selling digital codes, led to consumers paying higher prices between April 2019 and December 2023. Sony denies any wrongdoing, and the court has not ruled on the merits of the claims.
Sony To Pay Out Nearly $8 Million In Class-Action Settlement Over Game Prices
Sony is set to pay out nearly $8 million to PlayStation customers as part of a settlement concerning digital game prices on the PlayStation Store. The lawsuit alleged Sony maintained a monopoly over prices by controlling publisher pricing and eliminating competition from third-party retailers selling digital codes. Sony is not admitting wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Welcome To GameSpot Cheap Week
GameSpot is launching 'Cheap Week,' a series of features dedicated to exploring the rising costs of video games and consoles. The initiative aims to provide readers with insights into why games are so expensive and offer practical advice on how to play more while spending less, including tips on mods, game libraries, and budget-friendly titles.
GTA 6 might not technically be $100, but it's had its cake and ate it too as pre-orders are 'skewing more to…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 are skewing towards the more expensive $100 edition, suggesting that avid consumers are pre-ordering now. The article discusses how the game's pricing, with an $80 standard and $100 premium version, effectively positions it as a $100 game due to the content locked behind the higher tier.
'Our goal is to deliver way more value to consumers than what we charge them' — Take-Two CEO says GTA 6 'will be an incredible bargain' at its $80 base price
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick defended Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 base price, stating the company's goal is to deliver more value than charged, making it an 'incredible bargain.' He contrasted this with NBA 2K27's $70 price and highlighted Grand Theft Auto Online's longevity as proof of sustained consumer engagement. The article also mentions Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch on November 19 with Standard and Ultimate Editions.
GTA 6 might not cost $100, but most of the people pre-ordering it are buying it at that price, Take-Two reveals
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 are exceeding expectations, with a significant number of players opting for the more expensive Ultimate edition. Zelnick believes this indicates that avid consumers, who value in-game content, are the primary pre-order demographic. The company has also increased its earnings forecast for fiscal year 2027 in anticipation of the game's November 19th release.
GTA 6 "will be an incredible bargain" at $80, says Take-Two CEO, as the Rockstar owner isn't trying…
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be an "incredible bargain" at its $80 price point, emphasizing the company's focus on delivering value rather than maximizing profits. He noted that the real cost of AAA games has decreased over time, and Rockstar Games is known for exceeding expectations, citing the continued engagement with GTA Online after 13 years. Despite strong pre-order numbers, Zelnick cautioned against premature celebration.
Wolverine on PS5 is considerably cheaper on disc than digital download
The upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive game Wolverine will be available for a lower price on disc from various retailers compared to its digital download cost. While Sony's standard digital edition is priced at £69.99, physical copies can be found for as low as £57.99. A digital-only special edition is also available for £79.99, offering additional in-game content.
Hey UK physical PS5 game fans, Marvel's Wolverine has just got a major discount and it's not even out yet
Marvel's Wolverine for PlayStation 5 has received a significant pre-order discount in the UK, dropping from £69.99 to £57.99 at Smyths Toys. This news comes as Sony is phasing out physical game releases after January 2028, making this a potentially rare physical edition from Insomniac Games. In the US, the game is currently listed at its full $69.99 price.
Issues and Activism
Ubisoft is facing backlash for re-releasing Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag at a $60 price point, which includes $85 worth of microtransactions. This move has sparked criticism regarding the pricing model and the inclusion of extensive in-game purchases for a previously released title.