The Pros and Cons of $100 Video Games

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As the release of Grand Theft Auto VI approaches, there’s been a renewed discussion online about the increasing prices of video games.

In a comprehensive talk, analyst Matthew Ball, @ballmatthew, posited an idea: The company that owns Rockstar Games, Take-Two, could potentially raise the cost of ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ to as much as $80 or maybe $100.

As a dedicated follower, I’ve taken note of his observation: if Take-Two were to embark on this venture, it could serve as a buffer against substantial financial setbacks due to underperforming titles. This, in turn, might lead them to increase prices strategically, aiming to bolster their earnings instead.

The analysis in the report additionally pointed out crucial problems, including a decrease in the quality of certain top-tier games observed recently, which seems to be linked to the expansion of the mobile gaming market and the increasing impact of the Chinese gaming industry.

This action isn’t aimed at transforming gaming into an exclusive and pricey pastime; instead, it originates from worries about the video game industry’s faltering financial stability despite significant triumphs such as Fortnite and Call of Duty.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed the turbulence that’s sweeping through the gaming world lately, with the shift in live-service, games-as-a-service models causing quite a stir. It seems like this change is affecting everyone, from gamers like me to the companies that bring these games to life.

Despite the central query, it’s worth considering: should video games really command a $100 price point? Given my lack of expertise in economics, I’d like to weigh in from a consumer perspective. This decision could significantly impact the gaming world moving forward.

A $100 Pricepoint Is Not Ideal

A key point from the discussion is that raising game costs doesn’t automatically equate to a high-quality product. This is an issue of importance to players, especially those who carefully budget for their purchases and end up feeling let down by a game filled with glitches or subpar performance.

Maintaining a fixed price point of $60 might lead to the industry producing repetitive content or rehashing old intellectual properties due to lack of innovation.

In less developed countries, this problem is particularly severe because not only do prices tend to be higher, but also due to a lack of easy access to digital gaming platforms such as PlayStation Network and Xbox Game Pass.

A high-profile $100 video game release, such as a blockbuster, carries both advantages and disadvantages for both companies and consumers. Recent examples like Rocksteady’s “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” and Square Enix’s “Forspoken” show how escalating production costs can potentially drive players away, especially when the finished product doesn’t live up to expectations.

The divide between gamers and game developers has grown even wider, and it’s going to take considerable effort and time to restore faith in large gaming corporations.

Could The Higher RRP For Games Benefit Consumers?

Here’s the point: Despite our reluctance, raising game prices up to $100 might potentially enhance their quality. Yet, it’s important to remember that such improvement is not a certainty.

A price point between $80 and $100 may satisfy investors and executives, yet it could also encourage them to develop high-quality games that consumers would want to purchase. This, in turn, might result in enhanced post-release content such as DLCs and expansions, some of which might even be offered for free. While I’m aware I might sound optimistic and naive, there’s always a possibility, isn’t there?

A rise in prices might potentially affect the employment stability of developers. In case a game experiences high sales, it could decrease the likelihood of job losses. However, it’s crucial to remember that “could” implies uncertainty, so there are no absolute assurances.

Generally, spending $100 on video games is a contentious issue that sparks debate. It remains to be seen if the gaming industry can adapt to this significant shift when Rockstar reveals the actual cost of the fundamental version of “Grand Theft Auto VI” (expected this year).

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2025-01-23 17:43