Gaming Industry

Nintendo set a precedent for this. And of course, 2K is warming you up with that massive GTA price hike that’s just around the corner. How so? Well, through none other than Borderlands 4 of course. Randy Pitchford had this to say on the matter. You can see that quote here.

Of course, this might not happen and a lot of people are going to be pointing fingers at Nintendo. I do, however, believe that GTA will be the game that other games will probably follow. I mean, in terms of the reasons they’re pretty valid why Borderlands 4 would increase its cost. The production of the game has indeed cost more. But still, for those that just want to enjoy video games without worrying what the price will be beforehand. It’s a bit of a nightmare.

Even still, I am really liking the direction that Borderlands 4 has gone in. Those Destiny vibes might just be enough to get you to part with your money, not to add, there is going to be a stack full of content and potentially end-game to this that they’ve not shown us yet either.

After the announcement of Mafia: The Old Country. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it will not be open-world. Instead, it will be focusing on a linear narrative that made the first couple of games some of the best in the series.

I actually think this is the perfect game before GTA VI hits next year. I cannot remember a time when we had this many games in the same mould as GTA coming before GTA. It’s wild. Anyway, for those interested in wanting to play a game with some form of likeness before GTA VI. These are your options.

If anything, it tells me if your going to do an open-world. Not many can lay claim to the level of detail and absolute premium experience that a GTA game can provide. That’s why we love it. However, narrative games like below offer another level of gaming that are nice. After all, not everything needs to be open-world, as we know.

You can check out the following trailers provided. Let us know what you think and which of the two you’re most excited about before that all important GTA release next year.

MindsEye

Mafia: The Old Country

Sony will be releasing a lot more of it’s back catalogue IP next generation with the help of third-parties that itself will oversee to maintain quality. I foresee them trying to keep up the pace with what has been an incredible year of releases from Microsoft this year.

Microsoft is relinquishing a lot with the pummeling it’s taking from PlayStation and the lack of appetite for Xbox hardware. The reality is gamers are turning to Sony because they know Microsoft will continue releasing its games there. It’s been something that has been very successful for Microsoft. I do not see them easing up on that. They’re going to increase profitability there. While at the same time utilizing Game Pass as the reason to own an Xbox if you want that experience on console.

If you look at the attachment rate of the Xbox console where Game Pass is concerned. It’s doing quite well. The amount of games this year from Microsoft has shown that competition on the content front is well and truly underway.

Next generation is going to be significant for all three companies. The prolonging of the PS4 era in this generation has helped Nintendo Switch 2 tremendously as well. The Nintendo Switch 2 has been confirmed to be more powerful than a PS4. The great thing is a lot more ports will be making their way to Nintendo’s next generation platform.

I see a lot of people taking a look at Microsoft’s handheld. They’ll be intrigued to see how Xbox PC terminology is used there and what significance that holds for the next Xbox console. I really think this next console from Xbox has to show the power but also the value over PlayStation. Failure to do that will see Sony take more of a hold in the industry.

Nintendo Switch 2 releases next month. I believe it has done incredibly well as Nintendo are trajecting that it’s going to sell 15 million in the first year. Nintendo has come out and defended the lack of innovation that ex Sony suits have aimed at it. Nintendo’s rebuttal is that you will see the innovation in the next line-up of Nintendo Switch 2 software. Significantly they say, it’s doing more there than it’s ever done for its own IP before.

The proof will definitely be in the pudding and we will see how software sales go and if they stick with the consumers. If they do stick, then it’s likely that Nintendo will be proved right with those increases. However, it’s not like price rises are not happening in every company anyway. If one does it, another will and that’s just fundamentally how it works.

One thing I didn’t see after publishing my latest article. Was EA coming to the rescue with its intentions to keep pricing the same as it is now. You seriously couldn’t make that one up. If anything, there are always things that are a nice surprise even if their software hasn’t had the laser focus with its elite IP that it should have had lately. Let’s hope that changes. After all, Battlefield is previewing well. It really needs to as well as I think it could take advantage of the fact Call of Duty will be making you pay for select game modes.

Many people are rightly asking why gaming companies can get away with such higher prices today than they ever have done in the past. I have come to several conclusions on this. Console gaming is typically now more high-end than it ever has been. Not just in terms of the hardware, not just in terms of game productions and the costs involved there.

When the PS5 Pro came to market, that was the real test of the waters, so to speak. Everyone that’s jumping on getting that at a cheaper price has every right to. But also, it was the console that was a trendsetter in all of this. I think even more so than the Nintendo Switch 2. Then there are also more considerations. I’ve already talked about casual gaming, but there is a new generation of gamers coming that does not typically conform to our ideas of gaming today via console. They’re more typically inclined to be on mobile gaming. We’re probably the last generation of gamers that really love all aspects of the current setup. Therefore, in that mindset just as the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders have sold out at probably the quickest pace they ever have done. It’s going to be very interesting if that kind of record pace continues. If it does, that means that our generation is typically willing to pay.

We can talk about tribalism, there is that. These companies know what they can get away with. But this time, I don’t actually think it’s going to be as easy as ‘vote with your wallets’. I actually think this time, this is a situation that’s going to be an ongoing scenario in the industry because of the high-end nature that console gaming is becoming.

When I say high-end console gaming. What I am saying is that the technology hasn’t been this advanced – as it’s catching up to PC. I think going into the next generation we will find out a lot more on a lot of the why’s that this is happening. Of course, for the now. The price rises for five year hardware are practically inexcusable. It’s going to be very interesting what lines they choose to go with to explain the reasons for those increases overall from their point of view.

However, I remember a time when I was on Push Square, or Pure Xbox. There was an article that came out. I remember commenting and saying on that particular article that they were aiming for professional gamers. I think many of us forget that there are people that are in gaming professionally as well. Whether it’s YouTube, IGN, Twitch etc. It’s kind of their job to really highlight areas that gamers are interested in. It’s typically those that are willing to spend no matter what the cost. In that sense, consoles are always going to sell. Of course, it doesn’t make great reading when you exclude a vast proportion of the gaming audience that has stuck with you throughout their entire gaming life.

It just really emphasizes to me that gaming has changed forever and no matter what assumptions of those reasons are or what the suits say is the reason. Or even, how many times we try to look for positives in things in the industry such as Game Pass.  I think there is going to be a vast majority who really just hate where the industry is heading and to be very honest with you. I’m there with you.

Xbox Game Pass will be the Netflix of gaming. If it isn’t already by every definition just what the hell are you doing? It’s the only subscription that you need. Yes, the price will increase and it’s not the modern or favourite way to play games right now. However, when you factor in everything going on. It’s becoming pretty appetising not only from a gamers point of view but also from a developers point of view.

We’re talking about a service that’s giving you day one access to all Xbox exclusives. That’s giving the developer an instant influx of players to play the game they’ve been developing for years. Suddenly, you find yourself realizing that actually, there are some positives and they are becoming bigger than they ever possibly were by the day.

Microsoft absolutely saw where the industry was heading before it even went there. They got a lot of flak for it because they went early back in the Xbox One days. As we’re definitely realizing now though, there is credence to the decisions (digital). The subscription model is being made stronger by the day. If Microsoft plays this right, they could absolutely reach a lot of casual gamers on the high end who prefer consoles and especially kids who want to play lots of games. They just have to make sure they keep on making the price appealing. Xbox Game Pass appeals, will the new handheld pricing also appeal? Is Microsoft in the best situation for the next generation to go into it and undercut the competition? I feel they are, and I also feel they’re best placed to take a loss when in actual fact having you on Xbox Game Pass would be a win no matter what device you’re on.

It’s going to be incredibly interesting how Xbox and Sony convey their messaging to the next generation and fans alike. Competition has to count for something right? Ultimately, that might just be something we can actually rely on to actually be something that stays the same.

The industry is increasing its prices across the board. With the recent announcement that Xbox is following suit after Nintendo. Everyone is kinda looking at Sony. I’m afraid this isn’t any white knight situation. No opportunistic moment where somehow PlayStation wins the day for its fans. Especially when we’ve seen that they’re happy to be the torchbearers of cost increases themselves. No, this is something else unfortunately. The next generation is going to be the same when it comes to hardware and potentially even software costs. Anything at this point is just delaying the inevitable.

I looked at the reports and I don’t see any hardware picking up this generation at these prices. Also, it’s going to take a hell of good marketing to sell the next Microsoft or Sony console. Sure, they will present the case that it’s still better value than buying singular PC components. However, at large when you look at the specifics here. Two of these consoles you have to pay these prices. At large they’re closed-ecosystems. But the cost of the increases is much bigger than that. Because at some point in the future the consumer is going to ask themselves is the cost worth the investment for the seven year run that a console has. That also, on the basis that services, subscriptions and everything else comes into consideration. Because even the Xbox Game Pass looks like a good deal now. No digital service is ever going to be exempt from price rises.

It comes to a point where the industry has to be extremely careful not to piss its loyal fans off. Yes, there is precedence due to the global economic situation out there to enforce some measurements on the consumer. But then, you have to consider the implications of how far they go with raising that bar. They have to consider the reality of what they can get away with.

Ultimately, PlayStation and Nintendo will have a greater impact on the basis of these price rises than Xbox will have. If you factor in Xbox Game Pass, if you factor in the Play Anywhere scheme. That’s not something that takes a high level of importance elsewhere. The consumer next generation has a decision to make in how they go about gaming.

If every company is doing the same across the board and content is absolutely king, you’re pretty much stuck. But ultimately, Xbox and PC are looking like options that we might not have even factored in before. Yes, I have discussed that part before. But that’s the reality of the situation and that doesn’t change now. 

I expect Sony to absolutely follow suit with price raises and even in the event it doesn’t (for now). It’s only going to be a short term sense of celebration because when the next generation comes we’re going to see costs on hardware that will make Nintendo Switch 2 look like you got it on the cheap.

That’s the reality of the hardware situation, but the software situation is one where costs are increasing on every level across the industry. No matter the uptick in profitability for some of these companies. They’re not going to not continue trying to make a profit from you. Just as other sectors around the entertainment industry have continued to rise. We shouldn’t have ever fooled ourselves into thinking we were immune from that.

The consideration as well is this, if you find value in gaming to pay these prices then continue to do that if they make you happy. If they’ve outpriced you, seek an alternative that will fit your value. That’s why there are three companies to choose from. The competition between them will factor in the next generation at the start at least. I’ve said this before, it will force their hand somewhat. I do however, expect for the next generation technology on offer and what they show to be ultimately important. Especially in terms of line-ups of software. Funny thing is, the ones hitting bangers left, right, and centre right now is Xbox and at a rapid pace. If Microsoft can maintain that sense of credibility in putting good games out there. It could see Sony pushed into really having to do everything it can. Not only to retain, but also, to carry on reaching new audiences of people.

For the vast majority of us. PlayStation in essence is the go to platform. If they produce the software and do the right things. We’ve seen in the past how they can absolutely take advantage of that. The PS6 is no secret now. If anything, plans are already in motion to bring back some fan favourites.

No matter the messaging from previous Sony suits that have left the company. Nintendo Switch 2 is primed to be a huge success again. There are now rumours that PlayStation looks to counter that with its own sort of hybrid console that maintains the home console power, while all the same, allowing consumers to play with the kind of technology that PlayStation is revered for in the home as well.

This is a great move by PlayStation. As they’re going to have to try and win back the momentum they’ve lost this generation. Especially with those that are not having any of it when it comes to the continuous price gouging.

Consoles are reaching the absolute pinnacle of power. But also, they’re consoles. So by very definition the closer we get to the ultimate hardware. Then that in itself is going to factor into prices going forward. I certainly do not think consoles are going to get any cheaper. I think those days have long gone. Technology and market conditions in the world are on the increase. As we’ve seen with the Nintendo Switch 2 and the markup of the pricing decisions there.

We can also look at the longevity of the console hardware. That’s a factor in it as well. As well as potentially playing the best version of games. We’re already seeing Sony have success with Indy on PS5 Pro. If anything, I expect them to lean into that even more as well. I think in terms of the next generation the messaging is going to be very clear. It’s going to be about definitively marketing why they were introduced in the first place and are still the best place to play.

The interesting thing will be if they do two versions of the console. Say what you want about the Series S. It has the worst versions of practically any game, and yet, it is allowing Microsoft to really get their future handheld games right. Could that help Sony there or do they have other plans? Time will tell.

If we look to the future, the pricing of PC components is increasing even further. Consumers are going to have a choice, I believe. They build the ultimate PC. That’s going to cost you by the way. Or you pay just a bit more for the luxury of owning a console that will run your games in peak times for at least 4 – 5 years while keeping your existing libraries. Unless of course, you don’t mind flying the nest.

Going back to PS6 for a moment, this is going to be a momentous generation for Sony. Because they’re going to have to try and deliver on the exclusives that have ultimately not quite been there this generation.

If you look around with the other various platforms. The competition is getting rather fierce. It will be this that (might) allow that kind of competitiveness to drop prices slightly. But ultimately, it’s going to rely on the kind of pick up lines that won consumers’ hearts back in the PS4 era to get them reinvested in the franchises that have been left dormant for a while. It’s going to be interesting if the games they have coming will be enough. Or if ultimately, Sony is going to have to come out all smooth criminals again to really win the hearts of the millions and millions of its fans.

One thing is for sure, there will be a decision that gamers will need to make. Pay the extras or spread your wings and just pray you can get the best somewhere else. However the allude of PlayStation’s content of the future might just be enough of a pick up line on you and that might be all they need to work with.

Across the gaming industry. Price rises galore. That’s the reality of the situation. It’s been warned and now it’s happening no matter what country you happen to be in. Are we being priced out of our hobby? Are the games too expensive and are the consoles too? A few years ago most Sony fans would be the ones who would cry foul if you didn’t buy your games. It was this sort of an entitlement to be able to say you purchased games.

Now we have probably these same people saying. “Oh my god, the Nintendo prices are too high.” It seems to be one rule for them and another for everyone else. Well, I didn’t even want to think about bringing that into the discussion. But of course, I’ll be the one pointing it out because I have covered this industry for the last three years and most of the time (not all) have been absolutely spot on. I just find it all rather ignorant of the fact that if you’re bragging to people one minute to buy said games, and then saying, actually, these games are now too expensive despite all the work that this industry puts into making them.

Where in any other industry do you get more value than in gaming? How many of you spend hours upon hours of time in Assassins Creed or any PlayStation first-party title. Who are we to judge what the value is for a said game when we haven’t even got our hands on it yet? Sure, there are very valid concerns around the cost of games with Nintendo Switch 2. However, if we put things into context for a moment. A lot of gamers can remember in the past that we were paying a lot more. Now, we have mo-cap production, 50+ hour games, and just the overall production costs of some of the biggest titles from Sony’s first-party. All of it costs money to make.

Of course, you might say that Nintendo games are not worth that amount of money because they do not fit that criteria. However, if there is even a minority that thinks that price is worth it to them. You can bet your bottom dollar that you will still see this software sell. Just like GTA VI will sell as well. There are of course risks that this could set the tone of things to come. However, we cannot have our cake and eat it. The sooner people realized that the better, really.

If anything, it just tells me that if you’re feeling like you’re being priced out. Then ultimately, there are other alternatives where you’re able to play videogames at a great value. The news that Xbox Game Pass is not for everyone who has the time investment is clear. However, for any parent priced out from buying a Nintendo Switch 2. There is always another option and that’s Xbox. Whether it’s the new console or handheld in the future.

Of course, this isn’t an ad to sell you on any platform. But it does raise a good point and why if it bothers you so much you should act accordingly. Let’s face it, the minority of complainers are the definition of vipers anyway. It’s all just a spew of hate on the internet. Those that actually just want to play games without all the populist hate craze bullshit. Will just do that.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect many of them even if they differ from my own. We’ll agree to disagree and all that. We cannot however argue with the facts. Another of those is that gaming hasn’t ever been as accessible and easy to get into than it has been right now. Subscriptions and cloud gaming provide alternative options that really give you a lot of options in affordability and access. However, that is not all. If we’re looking outside in. Xbox is the most versatile brand of the lot. It’s not a closed-ecosystem. For those running a negative on its future in the console space. Actually, they might just be the non-locked console for you. Where affordability and backwards compatibility and forward compatibility really meet the expectations of the next generation of gamers.

Maybe that’s exactly what Microsoft is placing their chips on. When I said in a previous article that sooner or later PlayStation would have to figure that out. I really meant it. However, even Nintendo are not immune from that unless they open up their doors also. Something we may just end up seeing for console audiences to actually appeal and grow throughout handheld and the PC space. I said content will be king. Nintendo and Sony are some of the best at it. But also, Microsoft has the means to do a lot more in that space also and create the content without the risk of high production costs that go into it because they can offset them. That could set us up for quite the next generation on all fronts. I certainly feel the next step will be how the gaming industry expands to further their audiences.

We’re heading for quite the bananza and truths are hitting hard lately.