The next generation consoles were launched in November 2020, featuring the latest hardware offering 4K games and ray tracing.
As the game generations come, we have seen games grow bigger and look better than ever before.
As a result, we’re starting to see a shift in pricing after many years of $ 60 as the default.
And GTA 6 could be the game that ushers in the new standard.
$ 70 Games
The next generation has seen publishers start moving the standard price from $ 60 to $ 70, and so far a few games have reached these new prices, but many still stay at $ 60 or less.
NBA 2K21 was one of the games launched at a price of $ 69.99, and Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, recently said it was the right move to change the price to $ 70 because the public is ready for price increase. why the public is willing to pay more for a product, but ok, we will work with it.
During the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, Zelnick was asked about the prices of NBA 2K21 and what it could mean for the future.
‘We announced a $ 70 price point for NBA 2K21, our opinion was that we offer a variety of extraordinary experiences, a lot of playability and that the last time in 2005, 2006, there was an increase in the top price, so we think consumers was ready for it, “
Zelnick then discusses future titles and suggests that businesses should focus on the quality of future games to help justify the price increase.
‘We have so far said nothing about the pricing of other titles, and we tend to do title-by-title announcements, but I think we are [that we want to] always deliver more value than we charge, make sure the consumer has the experience and the experience to pay for it, both are positive experiences. ‘
‘We all know anecdotally that even if you love a consumer experience if you feel you are paying too much for it, then it ruins the experience, you do not want it again. [If you] go to a great restaurant, a very good restaurant, eat a good meal and good service, then you get a check that is double what you think it should be, you never go back. ‘
“We therefore always want to make sure that consumers feel that we are delivering much more than we are asking for in return, and this also applies to our current consumer spending. We are an entertainment business, we are here to captivate and engage people. If we do, monetization follows. ‘
GTA 6 can set the new standard
As games increase in quality, it is understandable that prices can also rise, especially as games take longer to develop and cost more.
GTA 6 has apparently been in development for a while and it looks like a few more years before it is finally released.
A game of that quality will undoubtedly cost $ 70 and millions of players will no doubt happily pay for the prize at that price.
At the moment, gamers are still unsure about the new price point and it shows that many publishers are reluctant to increase their own prices.
But once tens of millions of players willingly pay $ 70 for a game like GTA 6, it can definitely encourage other publishers to finally make the new prize.