As Nintendo takes step one towards promoting full-priced, AAA video games at $80 and Xbox begins to observe go well with however backs off, EA has now additionally made its place clear: no $80 video games…for now.
“We’re not wanting to make any adjustments on pricing at this stage,” mentioned CEO Andrew Wilson throughout right this moment’s Q1 earnings name. He mentioned this in response to an investor query concerning publishing opponents starting to launch $80 video games, and the place EA sees itself in relation to them.
Wilson continued:
That is within the assemble of, we already provide a reasonably broad pricing scheme throughout our varied merchandise. When you consider all the pieces from free-to-play via to our premium merchandise and deluxe editions, our orientation is at all times to seize the total spectrum of pricing in order that we will serve gamers in one of the best ways doable and provide them the best worth. We’ll proceed to look at alternatives to ship nice worth to our gamers thorugh varied pricing schemes over the course of time, however no dramatic adjustments deliberate but.
EA additionally confirmed on the decision that it hadn’t factored in any adjustments to its present pricing schemes to its expectations for the present fiscal yr earnings steering. The present fiscal yr ends in March of 2026, so do not count on any $80 EA video games between from time to time. Meaning video games like Madden NFL 26, EA Sports activities FC 26, and seemingly Battlefield 6 will not be $80, regardless of one leaker suggesting the opposite.
EA is not the one writer who is not fairly prepared to observe go well with with Nintendo’s Mario Kart World on $80 video games. Xbox not too long ago introduced The Outer Worlds 2 could be $80 alongside another unknown vacation recreation releases, solely to reverse that call after it sparked criticism. And whereas Randy Pitchford defended a possible $80 worth level for Borderlands 4, it turned out to solely be $70 in any case. Other than that, it is unclear what different video games will goal for that greater quantity sooner or later, although one seemingly contender that many are watching is Grand Theft Auto 6.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You’ll find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.