As we head into the next-generation of gaming, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S fans are facing a price hike to $70 games.
Ever since the announcement of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, fans have been concerned about the price of next-gen games. Despite titles having been lower in the past, it seems that developers are beginning to rationalize the increase more and more.
Raising the standard price from $60 to $70 first began on the PS5 launch day, where Sony released Demon's Souls for the increased figure. Now, Take-Two is following suit with NBA 2K21, and it's clear that more titles will continue to maintain this new price point.
However, it seems that Take-Two boss Straus Zelnick believes that both PS5 and Xbox gamers are ready for $70 titles. This opinion is also held by the PlayStation CEO, who claims that PS5 games are worth the price tag.
Take-Two CEO Claims Gamers Are Ready for $70 Titles
According to a series of new comments by Take-Two Interactive CEO Straus Zelnick, gamers are ready for $70 titles.
At a Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference earlier this week, Zelnick made some comments about the future of gaming.
At the conference, the Take-Two boss was asked for his opinion on charging extra for next-gen games. The CEO seems to be in favor of the change, and he believes that gamers are ready for it.
"We announced a $70 price point for NBA 2K21, our view was that we’re offering an array of extraordinary experiences, lots of replayability, and the last time there was a frontline price increase in the US was 2005, 2006, so we think consumers were ready for it."
Zelnick continued to discuss the change, confirming that future price raises will be made on a title-by-title basis. According to the CEO, Take-Two always wants to "deliver more value than we charge".
"We all know anecdotally that even if you love a consumer experience, if you feel you were overcharged for it, it ruins the experience, you don’t want to have it again."
Will $70 PS5 and Xbox Series X/S Games Be the New Norm?
It's clear that the company is aware that fans might avoid its titles if they believe they're too high a price.
However, assuming that sales of NBA 2K21 go well, we'd imagine it's safe to say that all Take-Two PS5 and Xbox Series X/S products will be $70 titles shortly.
This could include games like future Bioshock, Borderlands, 2K, and more. It also means that we can guarantee that GTA 6 will be $70 on release.
The GTA 5 remaster may also be more expensive than expected. However, GTA 5's PS5 and Xbox Series X/S port is going to be very different from the original.
Take-Two is also acquiring another major game developer this year. With the global brand paving the way with a hefty price tag, we imagine other teams will soon follow suit.
You can actually get NBA 2K21 on Xbox Game Pass and avoid the cost completely. But Take-Two is only offering the Xbox One version of the game to fans, instead of the next-gen upgrade.
