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Gaming is getting more expensive — here’s why

By Shannon Flynn

A line of 30 to 40 video game fans lined up outside GameStop in Brimfield in hopes of snagging a PlayStation5 or XBox Series X video game console. Only eight XBoxes were available, and there were no PlayStations 5s available.Rc Black Friday Gamestop 6350
A line of 30 to 40 video game fans lined up outside GameStop in Brimfield in hopes of snagging a PlayStation5 or XBox Series X video game console. Only eight XBoxes were available, and there were no PlayStations 5s available.Rc Black Friday Gamestop 6350 /
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Alijah Roman shows the PS5 he scored after waiting most of Thanksgiving Day and all night in line at GameStop at Market Square. (Fnp 112620 Dd Blackfridayps5) /

Next-Gen Games Increasing in Price

For the last 15 years, new games from AAA studios — regardless of their platform — cost $60. It’s just been something that gamers have accepted as part of life. With the introduction of the newest generation of these consoles, the PS5 and Xbox Series X, that industry standard is getting turned on its ear.

New AAA titles for both consoles will cost $70 instead of remaining at the previous industry standard. While Take-Two Interactive’s NBA 2K21 is the only title confirmed to be released at the $70 price point, it’s likely that other games will follow in its footsteps.

If we’re being honest, this price increase is a long time in the making. While it does make sense to finally increase the price of these titles in conjunction with the release of the new consoles, 2020 is not the year for dramatic price increases.

So many of the gamers who use these consoles as an escape are finding themselves strapped for cash thanks to pandemic-related work loss. If they weren’t already going to spend $60 for some already expensive games, they’re definitely not going to buy the same game for $70.

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Why is Gaming Getting More Expensive?

There is no single answer as to why gaming is getting more expensive. On the PC side of things, cryptocurrency miners are driving up the price of vital components. As for consoles, game developers have decided that, in spite of everything that’s happened, 2020 is the year to finally break their 15-year streak and increase prices. Demand is also at an all-time high as people look for ways to cope with quarantine and social distancing.

Hopefully, things will start to level off in the coming year and gaming will remain mostly affordable.

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