Sony Doubles Horizon Zero Dawn Price After Remaster Announcement

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Key Takeaways

  • Sony has seemingly increased the price of Horizon Zero Dawn on the PlayStation Store.
  • A Twitter user recently discovered that Horizon Zero Dawn’s price went up from $19.99 to $39.99 after the remaster was announced.
  • This price hike has most likely been enacted to prevent new players from obtaining Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for less than its $50 standalone price.

As a long-time PlayStation fan and someone who has been following the Horizon series since its inception, I must admit that this recent price hike for Horizon Zero Dawn on the PlayStation Store left me scratching my head. I remember the joy of discovering this gem back in 2017 and the countless hours I poured into it. To see the base game’s price nearly doubled just weeks after the remastered version was announced feels a bit like being offered a discount on a beloved item only to have the price skyrocket shortly afterward.

As a gamer, I was thrilled to hear about the upcoming release of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. But, to my surprise, Sony seems to have quietly bumped up the price of the original game on PlayStation Store. You see, Horizon Zero Dawn first came out in 2017 and has been consistently dropping in price since then. It looks like Sony doesn’t want players grabbing the remaster at a bargain price by taking advantage of these lower prices.

For several years, whispers about a native PlayStation 5 version of Horizon Zero Dawn have been buzzing, suggesting either an upgrade or a reimagined edition. Some PlayStation enthusiasts were apprehensive about the latter since the game is barely a decade old, but fortunately, the September 2024 State of Play clarified that Horizon Zero Dawn will indeed receive a facelift for PS5 and PC. Despite some skepticism over spending $50 on a remaster of a 2017 game, it’s undeniable that numerous visual and accessibility enhancements make it superior to the original Horizon Zero Dawn.

Similarly to how the upgrade option works for the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, those who already own Horizon Zero Dawn on PS5 or PC can upgrade to the remaster at a cost of $9.99. Despite being available for over seven years and experiencing multiple price reductions since then, it appears that Sony has surreptitiously increased the price of Horizon Zero Dawn on the PlayStation Store, presumably in order to discourage players from purchasing the game before upgrading at a higher remastered price. The Twitter user GamePittReviews has pointed out this seemingly hidden price hike.

Players Looking to Buy Horizon Zero Dawn Will Now Have to Pay Double the Price

GamePittReviews shared a chart displaying the price history of Horizon Zero Dawn on the PlayStation Store, which has remained at £15.99 ($19.99) since April 2024. However, the chart predicts that the price of Horizon Zero Dawn will unexpectedly surge to £34.99 ($39.99) starting September 25, following the September 2024 State of Play event. This significant price increase means that purchasing the base game and using the $10 upgrade path is virtually the same as buying Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered outright.

As a fan eagerly anticipating Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, I can see Sony’s perspective on the price adjustment. If the original game hadn’t been increased, players would have saved around $20 when getting the remastered version. Regrettably, this price increase might deter those who were considering purchasing the game for the first time and found the remaster appealing. It’s also important to mention that this price bump only affects PlayStation users, as the PC edition of Horizon Zero Dawn is already priced at $49.99.

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2024-09-26 20:04