- Former PlayStation boss says that game prices are lower now if we compare to 1999.
- He says that the prices should increase by $5 every generation to tackle the growing inflation.
- When he was in charge, he wanted to implement this, but couldn’t.
Game prices have become a massive topic since Nintendo introduced the first $80 game, Mario Kart World. Players are worried that it might set a new precedent that could lead to higher prices across the board for future releases.
A former PlayStation executive has also weighed in on the situation and suggested that the game prices should increase by $5 every generation to manage the increasing inflation.
Why it matters: Fans showed massive outrage when Nintendo announced the $80 price, and many revealed that they won’t agree to pay this much for a video game in any case.
Talking to PlayerDriven, Shawn Layden discussed game prices in the industry and how inflation has affected them. He said if you account for inflation, the prices have actually gone down, so adding $5 every generation is more feasible.
Where most games cost $60 or $70 in 2025, if we consider inflation, the price of a standard game comes out to be around $100 compared to 1999. So, the prices had stayed neutral for over 20 years until they first saw a hike.
Probably every generation they should have, like, baked in a $5 software price hike and make that the typical, ‘well every generation it’s another five bucks’ and you would have been up to $90 already by now.”
– Shawn Layden
He further said that he wanted to implement this when he was in charge. If the $5 increase had happened per generation, we would’ve been at $90 a game right now. So, Nintendo’s $80 Mario Kart World does make sense.
If the prices did increase gradually, there are chances fans would be fine with it. However, we’ve seen multiple jumps from $50 to $60, and then now to $80, which isn’t sitting well with the fans, especially when GTA 6 is expected with the higher price too.
What are your thoughts on game prices increasing $5 every generation? Would you be more accepting of it? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
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News Reporter
Abdullah is an avid gamer who primarily plays single-player titles. If you can’t find him anywhere, he’ll probably be at his desk playing The Witcher 3 for the millionth time. When he isn’t playing games, he’s either reading or writing about them.
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