On the topic of GTA 6, what about the idea of precedent? For example, companies who see their competitors raising their prices and the amount of business being unchanged will often raise their prices to match it. Won’t GTA 6 “getting away” with $80 price tag likely lead to price increases, making the $80 the new “normal” for AAA games?
To paraphrase, you control the things you buy. Players must make their choices - if their budgets don't increase (and there's no reason to think they would), it means they buy fewer games by necessity. Franchises with large audiences like GTA will be prioritized by buyers over smaller and less popular titles like an unfamiliar new IP. There will be those who test the waters to see how many people are willing to pay the higher prices. Some games like GTA will probably be fine. Some games will not. Similar to the [Laffer Curve], there's a certain pricing point where the seller can maximize earnings. Too high and the earnings go down. Too low and the earnings go down. That sweet spot is what the publishers are looking for.
The thing you have to realize is that this has all happened before. Back in the 16 bit era, we already did this entire song and dance. Players were livid about having to pay higher prices for games, but they did. Some games sold at the high prices. Some didn't, and those prices eventually came down.
The prices back then were even higher, relatively speaking, because inflation was a lot lower and the buying power of the dollar was higher. Some people paid those prices. Many did not. Those of us who played games would save up and buy the games we wanted most. That behavior will probably not change. Here's a few more ads from the time:
It's really a question of sustainability. If the market can sustain itself with prices that high, then that's the new normal. If only some franchises can get away with higher prices, that's the new normal. And if there aren't enough sales to justify the higher prices, those prices will necessarily fall. These is the overall collective results of voting with your wallet.
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