This is according to games research company IDG Consulting.
Current-gen console games are typically priced at $59.99. It has not changed since 2005. However, over 15 years, the average cost of developing console titles has grown by 200-300%.
So it’s no surpise that NBA 2K21 will have a recommended price of $69.99 when it launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X. According to IDG, other publishers might follow suit.
But even then, as IDG President and CEO Yoshio Osaki explains, the next-gen price tag of $69.99 will only cover the increased development costs partially. Going from $59.99 to $69.99 is only a 17% increase.
“Not every game should garner the $69.99 price point on next-gen,” Osaki adds. “But flagship AAAs such as NBA 2K merit this pricing more than others.”