Earlier this yr, Microsoft introduced that it will begin charging $80 for brand spanking new video games, starting with The Outer Worlds 2. The corporate backtracked on these plans, nonetheless, opting to promote the sport for $70 and cancelling plans for different $80 video games sooner or later. What occurred right here? And what does Microsoft take into consideration pricing for its video games going ahead?
Head of Xbox Recreation Studios Matt Booty advised Variety that the choice to roll again costs from $80 to $70 happened from listening to participant suggestions and attempting to ship “participant worth.”
“We have reacted within the final yr and I believe for us, the actual focus goes to be … assembly folks the place they’re. I believe there’s going to be much less of a deal with what’s that prime line worth of a sport, as folks begin to interact in numerous methods with video games,” he stated.
Excited about a set worth like $50, $60, $70, $80, or extra is lacking the purpose, Booty stated. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all method for pricing, and Booty stated the corporate will proceed to observe suggestions because it appears to set costs for video games sooner or later.
“From our viewpoint, monetization simply occurs in so many various methods proper now. So we will proceed to take heed to the suggestions from followers. We’ll proceed, to stability that with needing to run the wholesome enterprise. However proper now, on the content material aspect, we have no pricing updates,” he stated.
Whereas Microsoft did not find yourself releasing any $80 video games this yr, the corporate did hike costs for Xbox followers in different methods. Microsoft jacked up Xbox console costs and elevated the month-to-month price of Xbox Recreation Cross Final by a whopping 50%.
Outdoors of Xbox, Nintendo is charging $80 for Mario Kart World, and the corporate says the sport has a lot worth that it justifies the upper price. The sport can be obtainable in a $500 {hardware} bundle, nonetheless.
Trying additional out, many are questioning what GTA 6 will price when it releases in November 2026. Some folks suppose it warrants a $100 price ticket, whereas others have stated the sport doesn’t must be $100 as a result of its anticipated on-line mode may very well be the actual money-maker.