{"id":160170,"date":"2023-06-03T00:12:10","date_gmt":"2023-06-03T00:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/culture.org\/?p=160170"},"modified":"2023-06-02T14:13:39","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T14:13:39","slug":"a-new-chapter-in-video-gaming-70-price-tag-becomes-the-norm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/culture.org\/gaming\/a-new-chapter-in-video-gaming-70-price-tag-becomes-the-norm\/","title":{"rendered":"A New Chapter in Video Gaming: $70 Price Tag Becomes the Norm"},"content":{"rendered":" \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n
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The landscape of the video gaming industry is changing, and at its forefront is a surprising, if not controversial, trend: the steady rise of game prices.<\/span><\/p>\n The traditional $60 standard price for a video game has been challenged by an imposing $70 figure back in 2020. This inflation of game prices was initially led by Take-Two Interactive, making it the first company to officially raise its standard game prices from $60 to $70.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite initial pushback from players, many have adjusted to this change and are willing to shell out more for the gaming experiences they crave.<\/span><\/p>\n During an earnings call, Take-Two’s Strauss Zelnick admitted that there was no significant resistance to the higher prices.<\/span><\/p>\n On the contrary, consumers appear to be directing their funds towards games they genuinely care about or ones that offer considerable value.<\/span><\/p>\n NetherRealm Studios, known for its popular Mortal Kombat franchise, is the latest game company to embrace the $70 price tag.<\/span><\/p>\n The studio’s upcoming release, Mortal Kombat 1, a reboot of the long-running franchise, will carry this new price tag when it launches on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms such as PS5, Xbox Series X\/S, and PC on September 19.<\/span><\/p>\n The Switch port of Mortal Kombat 1, which is being developed by Shiver Entertainment and Saber Interactive, becomes the second game on the platform to adopt the $70 price tag, following Nintendo’s own The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n That said, Nintendo clarified that the $70 price would not be universally applied, with Pikmin 4 set to launch in July at the usual $60 price point.<\/span><\/p>\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n The Switch port of Mortal Kombat 1, which is being developed by Shiver Entertainment and Saber Interactive, becomes the second game on the platform to adopt the $70 price tag, following Nintendo’s own The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>\r\n\r\n With Mortal Kombat 1 being sold at the $70 price point, gamers are understandably apprehensive.<\/span><\/p>\n Previous Mortal Kombat games on the Switch, while playable, encountered some visual and performance issues, particularly with online modes.<\/span><\/p>\n There is hope, however, that Mortal Kombat 1 will deliver an experience worthy of its price tag.<\/span><\/p>\nNetherRealm Studios Follows Suit<\/b><\/h2>\n
Performance and Price: A Delicate Balance<\/b><\/h2>\n
Other Players in the Industry<\/b><\/h2>\n