It might be time for the revival of the game pricing talk again as one Baldur’s Gate developer shares their opinion. The pricing of video games has long been a debate for a long time.
We see the topic come up whenever a new generation of consoles or high-profile titles hit the market. And it is now happening once more. Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most hyped upcoming title. And the game could very well set a new standard for video game prices.
Baldur’s Gate Developer Michael Douse Shares His Opinion On The Gaming Market
When the price of new titles was raised from $60 to $70 at the beginning of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S generation, it marked the first significant increase in over a decade. Over the years, gamers have pushed back and argued that the rise of live service models and microtransactions has negated the need for higher upfront costs.
Almost all games should cost more at a base level because the cost of making them (inflation, for one) is outpacing pricing trends. But I don’t think we’ll get there with DLC promises so much as quality & communication. Everyone’s just waiting for GTA6 to do it lol.
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) August 26, 2024
Larian Studio‘s Michael Douse recently noted that the cost of making games has outpaced these pricing trends, and it’s time for a reevaluation. He criticized the industry for relying on “vague content promises” and “ultimate editions” to justify higher prices.
I don’t love the artificiality of pricing structures post retail. Use the inflated base price to upsell a subscription, and use vague content promises to inflate ultimate editions to make the base price look better. It all seems a bit dangerous & disconnected from the community. pic.twitter.com/wPmwDM846z
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) August 26, 2024
He believes that games should be priced according to their merit rather than a one-size-fits-all pricing model. Douse’s comments were particularly pointed when discussing the pricing strategies of modern games.
Douse’s remarks have resonated with some gamers, especially those who feel that many AAA titles are overpriced considering their often unfinished or buggy states at launch. The most recent example is Star Wars Outlaws.
GTA 6 Could Really Change Everything
GTA 6, one of the most anticipated games in history, could be the first major title to break the $70 price ceiling. With a rumored production budget of nearly $2 billion, Rockstar Games might feel justified in charging more for the game.
Is it confirmed that the budget is $2 billion?
byu/Panda7001 inGTA6
Douse believes that if any game could successfully introduce a higher price point, it would be GTA 6. The game’s massive fanbase and the unprecedented scale of its development could make a higher price not only acceptable but expected by consumers.
The possibility of GTA 6 setting a new price standard has not been lost on industry leaders. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, has previously hinted at the potential for higher game prices, though he didn’t confirm any specific plans.
The cost of creating modern games, from advanced graphics to expansive open worlds, has skyrocketed. Whether or not GTA 6 will indeed usher in a new era of game pricing remains to be seen.
Do you think we could see the prices for games rise? Let us know in the comments!
