Analyst Views on Higher Pricing
David Cole of DFC Intelligence told GamesRadar that $80 games will grow more common, though only the most popular releases with existing fanbases can support the cost.
“The issue is there are only a handful of premium games that command this price point”
Market Economics and Risks
Business professor Joost van Dreunen noted on his Substack that attempting $80 without matching value perception could backfire for studios, as gaming moves toward a luxury category with winner-takes-most dynamics.
“Publishers who can clear it will pull further ahead, and those who cannot will have to compete on distribution instead”
Current Pricing Landscape
While some live-service games launched at $40 and others at $60, indies often sit at $30, with sales providing relief from higher prices except for Nintendo titles.