Next-gen software: Will pricing hold?

Games jumped from $49.99 to $59.99 in the last generation - analysts discuss whether $70 will become the next standard for AAA titles

[StrongMan]

Jack Trenton has already confirmed that the PS4 games will range from 99cents to $60.
http://www.gamespot.com/new...

Don't know what MS will charge.

[Blaze929]

remember when first party games were $10 cheaper than third party? Good times...goooood times

[AridSpider]

you know, what WAS the reason they were $10 cheaper? Whatever the reason, why did they stop this gen? If they were able to save $10 last gen, they shouldve been able to save $10 again this gen - vs 3rd parties who have to pay fees etc.

[dcbronco]

There is a $10 royalty fee the developer pays to make the game for a given console. In the past, companies waved that fee for first party games. This generation they started out doing it, but as they go to bigger titles, they started to charge the extra ten dollars and kept it as extra profit. They never stopped once they started. Some PC titles eventually raised their prices to match the consoles even though they pay no royalty. It was pure greed.

[Blaze929]

right, "just cause". Like the online pass, "just cause". All it takes is the big publishers to start a trend and the bar (price) will be raised again.

Like why Call of Duty Declassified though it should be $49.99.....

[dcbronco]

I agree with online passes. The developer gets nothing for used games. They have to get something for their work when the used game has prevented them from potentially making more with their new games.

[Excalibur]

In 2011 I bought about 25 games new 1/2 of them were crap, 1/4 were too short, the other 1/4 were good to great, some of them I'm still playing.

In 2012 I bought less than half of what I did in 2012 because I was trying to be a little more choosy what I dropped $60.00+ on and half of them turned out to be crap

Bottom line if games jump to $70.00 I'll probably cut it in half again.

[2pacalypsenow]

why? they will be the same tech just improved by the better hardware developers wont be held back anymore games will be and should be the same price

[greenmeanie]

If games become $70, that is when I stop buying games! I dont care what the game is, NO game is worth $70!

[Saryk]

Come to PC our games are cheaper, a lot are free, muhahahaha! Seriously, I am in the same boat. Now if I can buy a 70 dollar gamer and it good for three ssytems, then ok!

[KaBaW]

Or, you could simply, and bear with me, just buy games when they drop in price..

[dirthurts]

I'm a cheap kinda guy I guess. I'll rarely pay more than 30 bucks for a game. I'm patient.
However, I did break that trend with Far Cry 3. The only game in a long time...

[FarCryLover182]

If game prices do rise, it's not like they won't go down in price. Games now go down real fast. You can get a new game on sale after a few weeks after release. For example, I bought Dead Space at an online retailer for $30 the other day with a code.

[karlowma]

I would also really like to see a more flexible pricing model, which is what we've been moving toward on PC in the past few years. Make games cost what they are worth. I don't understand the blanket $60 price tag.

But I would also like to see the eradication of DLC; however this is something I do not expect. I've never liked DLC, for numerous reasons, such as the creation of a segmented player-base, and the feeling that the publisher is "holding back" content only to further capitalize on us gamers. I made this comment what must have been years ago, but I would much rather see something like "Call of Duty: Blue Ops 14, now with Nutella" come out at a higher initial price-point, say $90 as a completely arbitrary example, but then have the attached value of ongoing services, such as more online functionality like Elite and Halo Waypoint, as well as periodic updates, new maps, skins, weapons packs, etc. This way, consumers feel they are getting more value, feel like they are being rewarded for supporting the game, and don't ever need to worry about whether or not their friends have access to a map or playlist.

I also realize that DLC has the secondary effect of combating used game sales and, to a lesser extent, piracy. However, I feel the increased customer loyalty of creating and delivering more value in the actual product would achieve these same goals.

[TotalHitman]

American's are lucky. They pay less than any other country for games. They pay less for nearly everything actually. Stop moaning and carry on.

[SilentNegotiator]

Better does not mean good.

[dirthurts]

Have you saw our health care prices?
We can buy games, but we can't afford proper medical, at least the most of us.
I'd take health care over cheap games.

[TotalHitman]

You have me there :/ Long live the NHS!

[ShaunCameron]

If people this generation are willing to pay $60 for games, then I say probably. After all, this generation sold more games than all previous generations, in the face of an economic turmoil at that.