I agree with your points about the value the console itself offers. For that matter, I don't mind the software prices I've seen quoted. You might say I am on team "higher prices for games aren't a crime against mankind." Everyone knows the inflation argument by now, which people typically counter with the observation that, well, there are a lot more people buying games now.
And they're right. The size of the available audience for games has exploded. In 2005, the average game in the top 100 games for platforms such as the PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, and Xbox 360 would sell between 3-5 million units. In 2025, that number is more like 7 to 10 million, ruling out a few outliers like Grand Theft Auto V and Mario Kart 8 that no publisher can reasonably hope to match.
However, game development costs are much higher now. Studios regularly struggle to make back the money they invest in games. A misstep or two puts a publisher's independence in serious jeopardy.
"Just make less demanding games," people basically argue. "Stick to a lower budget that won't let you please your core audience that demands all the latest bells and whistles." But then the medium doesn't continue to push forward in ways that clearly matter to people who love all the latest tech.
DLC and micro-transactions can only make up for so much of the increase in game development costs, especially since the audience for the biggest sellers has maybe doubled and costs to develop those behemoths have tripled... or worse.
$80 price points for games at launch will become increasingly common, and we'll have to get used to it. I almost never buy new releases now, even at $70. We can vote with our wallets and show what we're willing to pay, but raking a company over the coals for responding to the shrinking value of currency seems odd, no matter how much we might wish games would cost less.
@Justifier I'm on my second Xbox Series X controller, which has been used almost exclusively by my wife to navigate streaming apps she uses the console for. And we've played a combined 20 or so hours of other games. If our use doesn't change and we find ourselves tempted to buy a third controller for the system, I might just decline.
@Lizuka One might hope Next Level is busy crafting Luigi's Mansion 4, or a new Punch-Out game, or both. Either of those possible projects is probably a better use of the studio's time than a remaster. Nintendo needs to keep new projects coming alongside the remasters, so it has something more to remaster in the future!
I am absolutely fine with their mobile games steering clear of Mario (and other established franchises), especially since they have a habit of pulling their mobile games after a period. I'd rather they try creative new exercises, such as Miitomo, and leave their star characters on their consoles.
@141RobynAlecksys "Only a moron with no knowledge of the internet, smart phones, or basic reading comprehension of a box would have confused the Wii U for an add on to the Wii."
Sadly, that's an accurate description of most consumers, and the abundance of customers meeting that description DEFINITELY contributed to Wii U's dismal performance. I know that for a fact, because I worked retail when Wii U was introduced, and through to the end of its tragic life cycle.
To make matters worse, only around 50% of people who enter a store with no idea what they're doing there are even willing to listen to a retail worker who might be willing to educate them. And the number of retail workers ready to go the extra mile is shrinking by the day.
Comments 6
Re: Opinion: The Switch 2 Is A Powerhouse For The Price
I agree with your points about the value the console itself offers. For that matter, I don't mind the software prices I've seen quoted. You might say I am on team "higher prices for games aren't a crime against mankind." Everyone knows the inflation argument by now, which people typically counter with the observation that, well, there are a lot more people buying games now.
And they're right. The size of the available audience for games has exploded. In 2005, the average game in the top 100 games for platforms such as the PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, and Xbox 360 would sell between 3-5 million units. In 2025, that number is more like 7 to 10 million, ruling out a few outliers like Grand Theft Auto V and Mario Kart 8 that no publisher can reasonably hope to match.
However, game development costs are much higher now. Studios regularly struggle to make back the money they invest in games. A misstep or two puts a publisher's independence in serious jeopardy.
"Just make less demanding games," people basically argue. "Stick to a lower budget that won't let you please your core audience that demands all the latest bells and whistles." But then the medium doesn't continue to push forward in ways that clearly matter to people who love all the latest tech.
DLC and micro-transactions can only make up for so much of the increase in game development costs, especially since the audience for the biggest sellers has maybe doubled and costs to develop those behemoths have tripled... or worse.
$80 price points for games at launch will become increasingly common, and we'll have to get used to it. I almost never buy new releases now, even at $70. We can vote with our wallets and show what we're willing to pay, but raking a company over the coals for responding to the shrinking value of currency seems odd, no matter how much we might wish games would cost less.
Re: Switch 2 Will Be Backwards Compatible With Physical And Digital Games, With Some Exceptions
@Justifier I'm on my second Xbox Series X controller, which has been used almost exclusively by my wife to navigate streaming apps she uses the console for. And we've played a combined 20 or so hours of other games. If our use doesn't change and we find ourselves tempted to buy a third controller for the system, I might just decline.
Re: Nintendo Download: 1st November (North America)
@switchscreenshots I was going to pick the exact same two titles from the list. Similar taste in games buddies!
Re: Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Developer Has Been Revealed
@Lizuka One might hope Next Level is busy crafting Luigi's Mansion 4, or a new Punch-Out game, or both. Either of those possible projects is probably a better use of the studio's time than a remaster. Nintendo needs to keep new projects coming alongside the remasters, so it has something more to remaster in the future!
Re: Don't Expect To See Future Super Mario Games On Mobile, Suggests Miyamoto
I am absolutely fine with their mobile games steering clear of Mario (and other established franchises), especially since they have a habit of pulling their mobile games after a period. I'd rather they try creative new exercises, such as Miitomo, and leave their star characters on their consoles.
Re: Best Of 2022: "NCL Has Been Waiting For This Day Since 2014" - Former NOA Employee Talks Nintendo eShop Closures
@141RobynAlecksys "Only a moron with no knowledge of the internet, smart phones, or basic reading comprehension of a box would have confused the Wii U for an add on to the Wii."
Sadly, that's an accurate description of most consumers, and the abundance of customers meeting that description DEFINITELY contributed to Wii U's dismal performance. I know that for a fact, because I worked retail when Wii U was introduced, and through to the end of its tragic life cycle.
To make matters worse, only around 50% of people who enter a store with no idea what they're doing there are even willing to listen to a retail worker who might be willing to educate them. And the number of retail workers ready to go the extra mile is shrinking by the day.