Will the price of next generation games increase?

OmniGamer Writes "We are now in the seventh year of the Xbox 360, and six year of the PS3 and the first wave of next generation consoles has arrived in the form of the Wii U, this article will dive into the software that will dazzle our eyes when the next generation is in full swing."

[SynGamer]

If the publishers know what is good for them, next-gen game prices will NOT increase. The difference between this gen and next gen will not be large enough to justify increasing prices. If anything, the games will be *easier* to create next-gen due to Sony and MS trying to simplify the process (Sony especially...compared to the PS3).

So I still predict $59.99 for regular editions of games.

[uneasiest]

I hopes so, but a part of me feels that we may be paying $69.99 for next gen games.

[TheGrimOfDeath]

I really hope that doesn't happen, then I would have to give up gaming all together since I only get 20$ a month.

[th3n00bg4m3r]

If that is the case, good bye, next generation gaming.

[darthv72]

Game dev cost has been increasing. Due mostly to consumer demand of wanting more for less. So to keep costs low to the consumer that is why the dlc approach took hold so much this Gen.

Publishers are wanting to release a product as cheaply as they can and make more $$$ from the sale of it as well as any addons released for it. From the consumer side it looks like nickel and dime approach.

So both the consumers and publishers are putting pressure on the developers to keep costs down and the results are what we see now. Incomplete games and dlc o-plenty.

The next platforms will continue that trend. Sad but true.

[ShaunCameron]

Considering how expensive the PS3 and the XBox 360 initially were, I'm surprised it didn't happen aside from Mortal Kombat and EA sports games.

Anyone crying about how $60 is too much for video games surely haven't lived long enough to remember the 16-bit era or some cheap bastards who even cried about how $50 was too much for video games just last generation.

[kupomogli]

Already the dirt cheap PC prices look nice, but with most everything good being digital or have massive DRM, I like to stick to consoles as I like to own copies of the games and not just a license.

However, if they increase the prices to games again, I may as well just hop over to PC if I'm going to play these games. A lot of retail PC games that came out just last year can be easily found for less than $10.

I still purchase some PC deals now and then, just I try not to.

[SilentNegotiator]

I don't even pay $60 for games and I know a lot of people that don't either. Sales and price cuts only.

Indie games will bury them if they pull that.

[LocutusEstBorg]

PC games are already one generation ahead of the PS4 and Xbox 720. They cost $49.99 in USA and $15 in 3rd world countries.

[Canary]

Game development costs have not increased. They've actually decreased due to many reasons, including (but not-limited to) open-source software & content licensing. Back in the day, if you were making a game and wanted to put a tree somewhere... you had to build that tree from scratch. These days? You can find models of trees for use in games--both 2D and 3--which you can use for a fee.

And most games today use licensed technology. Heard of Unreal? Yeah.

And then there's the rise of digital distribution, which cuts down on a LOT of the cost.

The old argument for the $49.99 to $59.99 MSRP had nothing to do with development costs. Publishers (read: not Developers) argued that the increase was justified due to the increased production costs moving from DVD-ROMs to HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.

[FarCryLover182]

I don't think so. Most publishers reduce the price from $60 now within a very short period of time.

[PopRocks359]

Software sales have recently fallen though, so that could be a part of why the prices fall so quickly.

[Thefreeman012]

I dont think that they can, 60 dollars per game so far is a lot to ask for. If companies raised their prices to 70 dollars or higher per game they will see a very big backlash in sales as nobody will want to pay so much. Plus I dont know about anyone else but for me i feel like as the years go by my $60 seem to get me less and less which really bugs me because companies will offer the bare minimum so they can produce DLC that should be in the launch game

[LOGICWINS]

The COD crowd already pays $90+ per game when you factor in all the DLC. If games went up ten bucks, I don't think there would be a significant backlash. Plenty of people still think its normal to be charged a yearly fee to play online.

[Thefreeman012]

you cant base the entire gaming population on the COD Crowd. they themselves are a whole different beast that allow companies to water down games and bring in half assed DLC to begin with. Reports have proven that game sales have been down except during times such as black friday when extreme markdowns are around as well as Yearly payments have been going towards free to play routes because people are detered from them. i myself hated paying 14 dollars a month to play Everquest

[rainslacker]

But do you really believe that they would offer more for that extra $10? Isn't it much more likely they'd take that extra $10 and just offer more of the same, meaning now they'd be spending $100 on a game instead of $90.

If people readily accept a $10 increase without question, then there is no reason the publishers won't do so. Not accepting that kind of thing needs to happen real early if a price increase is incoming. We consumers do have a voice, and if they won't listen to us talking, they sure as hell will listen to our wallets.

@freeman
While you have a point, I think what logic was pointing out is that there is a base of people that would pay more. In which case publishers can use that to justify a price increase among all games across the board. What's worse is publishers could just say screw it, and just make games that appeal to the people that would be willing to spend an extra $10.

[TheRealHeisenberg]

I certainly hope the prices do not increase. Times are hard enough as it is. I love day one purchases for my favorites series and other great games that come along but I will become a bargain bin game buyer if prices go up.

[NexGen]

I paid $72 when Super Mario 3 launched, and almost $100 for SNES Street Fighter 2. I'm glad they stabilized prices at $50, or the now current $60.

[NegativeCreepWA]

Same with FFIII/VI.

[uneasiest]

Like everyone else I hope the prices don't go up, but if we look at past increases in game prices. They always happen when a new generation of hardware comes out.

[rainslacker]

That's because a system release is something new and exciting to people, and they want new games for the system. Also since the games are supposedly better they are worth more...at least that's how companies believe the consumer thinks. On top of that, many people who would buy a system early are also the ones who would pay more for games. There has to be a breaking point though.

[nevin1]

@freeman

"I dont think that they can, 60 dollars per game so far is a lot to ask for. If companies raised their prices to 70 dollars or higher per game they will see a very big backlash in sales as nobody will want to pay so much."

Wouldn't this lead to more casual less core games?

[KMCROC54]

I think Game prices will remain what they are today.
But DLC prices will increase & they will become significant to how you play the game. meaning they will be mission based , story extensions, bigger maps, bigger player scenarios.

[hiredhelp]

Problem is if everybody pays the full price its not setting a example that we not happy at the prices now.

[CommonSenseGamer]

If releasing cross platform games was easier it may stay the same but chances are longer development times, increased costs across the board (I.e. personnel, electricity, marketing) will likely drive prices up.

[jetpacksheep]

I don't know about anywhere else but the prices for Wii U games in the U.K are ridiculous, getting around £50 rather than the usual £40 for consoles or £25-30 for PC

[poo342947294792]

ahhh kids kids kids, when I was growing up a nes game was like $50 and snes was like $80 in todays cash that's like triple that, then there was neo geo at like 300 bux a game. Gaming now is cheaper then it ever was really.

[ShaunCameron]

Not only that but you're getting a hell lot more from today's video games than yesterday's video games in terms of length and content. Do gamers really wanna go back to the days of games lasting barely 3 hours, difficult for difficulty's sake (originally used for arcade games to get players to waste more quarters hence "replay value") and no additional content while paying $50 minimum?

[hadouken007]

All's I know is if the prices do go up, I don't want a buggy game, half complete game selling the rest as dlc ,and give me that 1080p 60fps, we've been hearing about.

[uneasiest]

It seems to me that if publishers try to increase the cost of next gen games they will be in for a rude awakening. I think we should vote with our wallet, and it wont happen.

[Rashonality]

the reason this generation lasted as it long as it did is for this exact reason, so they can simplify and streamline the process of making a high-end game so they can maintain today's prices.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

I can't justify paying more than $60 for the regular edition of a game. Let alone, I can't imagine what paying for a LE or CE would be.

[GTRrocker666]

I would just have to buy all the ps3 games i havent yet to play instead of going next gen. Anything more than 60 for software is outrageous. The only way i would consider it, is if virtual reality became the standard and each game was a unique transcendental like experience. But that wont happen for years.

[josephayal]

$80 per game is fine

[kma2k]

it is not fine but it is fully what im expecting!

[BenRage3]

I will not pay $70 for a game. I usually don't pay $60 for a game and usually wait until the price goes down.

[Ck1x]

Probably, Epic Games said they expect the price of development on both the PS4&720 to double.

[Hanuman]

I'm already paying between 71,42$ (55 Euro's) and 77,92$ (60 Euro's) for recently released (console) games, ever since this gen started. Hope it won't get more expensive. It kinda sucks to be on this side of the ocean when it comes to gaming..

PC games: 50 Euro's (64,90$)

[Qrphe]

Even if development costs were to stay the same, welcome to economics, $60 in 2012 is cheaper than $60 from 2005. I'd expect prices to go up naturally due to inflation alone.

[Hanuman]

You're right, 60$ in 2005 would sell for 71$ in 2012 due to inflation. thanks to an online calculator :)

[phinch]

anyone who actually thinks this will happen is stupid.....
consoles have been roughly the same price the the last 3 gens.... if anything they are actually cheaper today than they were compare to 18 years ago..

[Crazay]

I sure as hell hope not. As someone who buys between 20-30 games a year I think I spend enough money on games. If the prices increase, I'll begin to be much choosier and buy only AAA titles.

[rainslacker]

Or you could wait for the price to go down, which will only show the publishers that their games are too expensive. It sucks if you like playing games day one, but it'd be better overall for the long term and force publishers to re-evaluate their policies.

[Crazay]

I don't get everything day one unless it's a big title that I know I absolutely have to have. The ones that I wait for are the games I'm interested in but can wait for them and will go and get them once all the triple A titles are done.

I actually have a list of shame this year because I can't seem to find enough time to finish them and there are so bloody many.

[rainslacker]

That's cool then. Was just pointing out there are options. Publishers do pay attention to sales data, so I'm sure they know they can sell more units at a lower price. They also know there are plenty of people who will pay more, so they maximize profit with the way things work. If a significant number of people don't accept a price increase though, then they would have to re-evaluate their pricing structures.

[taquito]

360 is going into its 8th year

out in 2005
all of 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013 soooooon

its 2013 in less than a month... that will be nine seperate years on the market....gross

these consoles are relics, dinosaurs

[ghostrider32]

I hope they don't raise the price.

[Ben_Grimm]

Gamefly for life if that's the case.

[Crazay]

that would be nice but Gamefly isn't here in Canada

[Ben_Grimm]

Damn dude, you guys don't have an equivalent? I think it’s time you took out a business loan ;)

[Crazay]

HAHAHHAH! yea except I foresee that model fast going the way of the Do Do Bird with DCD (Digital Content Delivery) systems much like how Blockbuster died.

[StrawHatPatriot]

And it's funny, cause a lot of games never feel like they are worth $60, most games feel like they are worth $20 at most.

[Sarobi]

I'm already paying 65 dollars.. (tax included).. and even that seems a bit pricy in this current day in time

[Soldierone]

IF it is more, I'm out. I will buy one or two games at launch, then just buy used titles. At 59 dollars with tax I end up paying 67-70 dollars per game. Realized this when I put 10 dollars on a pre order for a game at Gamestop, still had to pay 57 dollars when I picked it up.....

They already whine and complain about how games don't sell, perhaps the price should go back DOWN then? It's a big reason why I'm buying so many Vita titles. Hard to resist a game at 20-30 dollars, no matter what it is.

[Enigma_2099]

It'll increase until they finally charge too much and start losing customers, just like anything else.

[profgerbik]

Sad how right you are, they could careless about the economy just like Apple could careless about it. All they know is as long as idiots accept the high prices, they will keep selling over priced things.

It's that simple.. I don't understand why people live like we are in the movie A Bug's Life..

If you want to stop spending out the ass for gas, stop using gas. If you want to stop spending out the ass for everything stop buying it..

People are just too stupid to see that logic and how easily we could actually live in a society that actually makes a little more sense.

God forbid if people sacrificed some time just to make a change in this world anymore.. Some try but it just isn't enough..

[ZBlacktt]

I'd say jut like the hardware. The games too should come down in price. Look at what we are dealing with nowadays. Broken games that need patching in the first week put out.

[ZeekQuattro]

Thousands of people are already paying over $60 for their games. Every time they get a season pass or buy DLC they are adding to the original list price. Not to mention all the special editions box sets that come out that are anywhere from $60 to $100 or more. They will probably keep the same trend as long as there are people willing to fork out more money for a few added bonuses or achievements/trophies.

[jjb1981]

PC games of greater caliber still sell for 59.99 so I don't believe prices will spike...

[profgerbik]

If they do I ain't buying em, I don't give a shit what console it is on. I mean that. I remember the day games became $60, that was drawling the line for me.

It's beyond ridiculous as it is now, just buying two games to know you have already spent well over $100 dollars..

What is even more moronic is the fact society just keeps getting worse and worse for everyone, yet they keep increasing the price of everything.. which makes no sense because most people work two or three jobs and still are struggling.

Money is shit, especially when people don't make enough of it to spend yet they want to increase the price to everything that you spend on.. Even from the government's stance I don't see how that makes sense to them.

Wouldn't they want to increase the minimum pay so people can actually buy more or offer better paying jobs so people have more money to spend that goes back into the economy? How is it going to help the economy at all the way it is right now?

Obviously it hasn't been working for ages now so why would it work any better later..

[aviator189]

If it does increase, I'll still buy games, but probably just one new one per year and the rest used or over ebay.

69.99 is a bit too much for a game, imo.

[wiiulee]

if by next generation you mean some quantum leap in graphics then game and system prices will increase...i think nintendo did the right thing to go for gameplay and experience...but haters dont get it... then if the next ps3 cost 600 dollars and 80 bucks a game , deal with it

[jlemdon]

I remember when I brought TMNT fighting game for SNES it was 70 bucks plus tax.

[Incipio]

I foresee $64.99

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

Only if COD does it like they did with MW1.

Sorry but console gamers are the biggest sheep in entertainment.

Were it all started....
"Activision stays firm on $60 price for next-gen titles"
http://www.joystiq.com/2005...

They ruin gaming and are extremely submissive! No lie..

If COD does it then yes $65-$70 + on disk dlc games will happen.. the end.

pc/ps3 gamer here..

[Raoh]

Of course they will.

People are foolish and set the stage then complain but pay happily.

Microsoft proved people are foolish enough to pay for free services. All publishers are looking into this. Eventually you'll pay for xbox live but even that will be limited, not because of microsoft but because uplay, origin etc will charge Their own fees for added services that should included. Games already went up, devs and publishers never charged for online but people gladly gave their money to MS. Guess what, your already paying more for games.

Then there are the other foolish people who buy on day one or incomplete games and dlc that should be included on the disc.

People paid in for the price increase of games this gen. Did some complain? Sure. But even more games sold at a higher price than ever before.

Development costs have gone up. You think they make games because they love you? They want to make money too. And as companies impose licencing fees and deadlines, the cost only goes up.

Consoles that will not work after a few months? People bought even more guaranteed to fail consoles. If apple made a device as broken as the xbox 360 launch consoles apple would have been burned at the stake, but its microsoft, just buy another console if it fails. Companies also took notice of this.

Will game prices go up? Sure they will, go back and look at your receipts and add up all the reasons you gave companies to do so.