Will Sony Respond?

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.