“You cannot f___ the future, sir. The future f____ you.”
So, we’re back to the discussion of $80 games, and to get right to the core of it—this is happening. It was probably always going to happen.
Inflation affects everything—food, materials, consumer goods—prices inevitably rise, and video games are no exception. The same goes for consoles.
Now, I know I gave Randy Pitchford a lot of grief for saying that “real fans” would find a way to afford $80 games, but the reality is, being a fan has nothing to do with it. The cost of the hobby is going up, and that means gamers will need to be more selective about what they buy. What I said on the show, and what I meant, was that as game prices climb, they compete more with the essential expenses of everyday life.
We’re also likely to see lower debut numbers—fewer sales, fewer players at launch—as prices continue to rise. Instead, major sales events, like holiday discounts, will probably become the more significant moments sales increase – depending on the discount.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the topic of price increases comes up in the coming weeks, with all the non-E3 news rolling out—Summer Game Fest, press conferences, and other industry events. Chances are, though, that pricing won’t be addressed directly. It’s just not the kind of thing publishers like to spotlight. But make no mistake—it’s a looming shadow over the entire industry.
Speaking of non-E3 Summer Game Fest, will this be the year we get a Splinter Cell announcement? My money is on “No”. Ubisoft, it has been 4,304 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.
Also, there’s been 2,322 job losses in the gaming industry since January 1, 2025.
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