Former PlayStation Chief Claims $5 Game Price Hike Was Long Overdue for New Generations!

by

Summary

  • Shawn Layden supports Nintendo Switch 2 game price hikes, stating prices should have increased with each new console generation.
  • Layden points out games are still relatively cheap when adjusting for inflation since 1999.
  • Nintendo’s protection of first-party games makes it easier to accept higher prices on Switch 2 compared to other consoles.

A top-tier ex-PlayStation executive, previously known as Shawn Layden, suggests that game prices, such as those associated with the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, are ripe for an increase. Some ardent Nintendo enthusiasts have balked at the thought of future games on the Nintendo Switch 2 costing more than they did in earlier versions, but Layden argues that each new console generation over the past several decades warranted a rise in game prices.

Shawn Layden ended his 30-year tenure at Sony in the year 2019. He started working with the company’s corporate communications department in Tokyo back in 1987. Later, he moved up to become the Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment’s London studio in 1999, and served as its president from 2014 until his exit from Sony.

In response to the announcement that Nintendo Switch 2 games will cost more than their counterparts on the original Switch, Layden shared his thoughts during an appearance on the Player Driven YouTube channel series. He suggested that Nintendo is simply making a bold move by stating, “it seems like it’s $80 for a premium game on a new platform.” Instead of condemning Nintendo, as many players are doing, Layden commended the price increase, arguing that it’s an adjustment that industry professionals, including himself, have delayed for too long. Rather than imposing the price hike all at once, he advocates for each new console generation to include a gradual $5 increase per game.

Former PlayStation President Approves of Switch 2 Game Price Hikes

Layden noted that when considering inflation, video games are actually more affordable now compared to their past prices. He explained that $59.99 in 1999 is roughly equivalent to around $100 today. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a 94.54% increase in inflation since January 1999, meaning Layden’s estimate is about $17 short of the actual inflation-adjusted price. Despite this discrepancy, Lewis Ward from IDC research noted that the costs of producing games have been escalating at a faster pace than the rise in consumer prices for these games.

As a devoted gamer, I believe Nintendo holds an advantage over Sony and Microsoft when it comes to raising game prices, as suggested by Layden. This is largely due to Nintendo’s successful efforts in keeping their iconic characters like Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, etc., exclusive to Nintendo-branded hardware. This exclusivity, in my view, makes the prospect of a $80 price point for Switch 2 more acceptable compared to other consoles.

On the other hand, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s approach seems to be moving in the opposite direction. His strategy, as indicated by developer showcases since February, emphasizes displaying platform availability beyond Xbox in trailers.

Read More

2025-04-14 01:14