EA Defies Trend: No Plans to Raise Video Game Prices

In a reassuring move for gamers, EA has officially declared that it will not be following the recent trend of price increases seen with other major players like Microsoft and Nintendo, who have upped their game prices to $80. This announcement came during EA's latest financial call with investors, where CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the company's commitment to providing "incredible quality and exponential value" for its players. A prime example of this strategy's success is the co-op adventure game Split Fiction, which has impressively sold 4 million copies.

Wilson elaborated on the evolution of EA's business model over the past decade, noting a significant shift from traditional retail sales of physical games to a diverse range of pricing models. "In a world where everything we did 10 years ago was about selling shiny discs in plastic boxes on retail shelves — well, that’s still a *part* of our business, it’s a significantly smaller part of our business, and we now have pricing representing everything from free-to-play all the way to deluxe editions and beyond," he explained. This flexibility allows EA to cater to different segments of the gaming market, ensuring value at every price point, from a dollar to $100.

The focus on quality and value, according to Wilson, has proven to be a successful strategy, keeping EA's business robust and growing. CFO Stuart Canfield supported this stance, stating, "From a guidance perspective [...] we have reflected no changes in our current [pricing] strategy at this point."

This decision will likely be welcomed by the gaming community, especially in light of Microsoft's recent announcement to raise prices for Xbox consoles, accessories, and some games. Microsoft's price adjustments are already in effect for hardware, with game prices expected to rise to $79.99 during the holiday season. Similarly, the industry has seen a general increase in AAA game prices from $60 to $70 over the last five years, with Nintendo setting a new benchmark at $80 for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and other Switch 2 Edition titles. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a price that has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, who see it as a necessary adjustment given current economic conditions.

With EA's pricing strategy unchanged, fans can look forward to the next iterations of EA Sports FC, Madden, and Battlefield maintaining the $70 standard edition price point. However, it's worth noting that last week, EA announced layoffs at Respawn Entertainment, affecting around 100 jobs, with broader cuts impacting approximately 300 individuals across the organization.