SEGA could be the next publisher in line to raise the prices of its games to match the bar set by the likes of PlayStation, Xbox, Square Enix, EA and more.
As reported by VGC, Sega Sammy CEO Haruki Satomi and CFO Koichi Fukazawa responded to a question around the possibility of SEGA raising its game prices, in a recent Q&A following the company’s FY23 earnings report. The question arose from a perceived increase in unit prices according to SEGA’s figures, compared to the previous year.
“In the global marketplace, AAA game titles for console have been sold at $59.99 for many years, but titles sold at $69.99 have appeared in the last year,” Sega said in its response. “We would like to review the prices of titles that we believe are commensurate with price increases, while also keeping an eye on market conditions.”
It also added that unit prices appeared higher in calculation to due plans for certain titles to appear in subscription services, where the value of contract deals was also factored in.
While the references to the previous standard new release game price of $59.99 USD and the new normal of $69.99 USD don’t exactly translate here in Aussie prices, it means we might see the next Sonic, Persona or Like a Dragon game launch in the $115-125 AUD range, if SEGA decides its flagship titles are “commensurate” with price increases.
Such a move would put SEGA in league with PlayStation, Activision, EA, Square Enix, Microsoft and even Nintendo in releasing games at a higher price point that most audiences are accustomed to. Again, depending on where you live (*cries in Australian*).
Given that the company just acquired Finnish mobile company and Angry Birds creator, Rovio, for a very crisp $775 million USD (approx $1.15 billion AUD), a few extra bucks on top of every copy of its biggest releases probably couldn’t hurt.
