In a recent interview with FandomWire, GameStop co-founder Gary Kusin spoke about the current state of the industry overall. One of his questions was regarding his thoughts on current game prices, which range from $60 to $70. Kusin knows that not all games can justify the high price tag.
The current business model is not very profitable because players are always willing to pay these prices. Kusin also noted that gaming is a very good investment. Many players are willing to wait to pay for the game.
Former GameStop President Gary Kusin talks about current game prices
Game prices haven't increased for a long time, but with the new generation of consoles, PlayStation has started selling all AAA exclusive titles for $70.
Other companies, such as 2K, have since followed suit, and the average price for new, big-budget games is now the same as for big developers. While players are getting used to it, there are still many major studios choosing not to make this the default price for their titles.
Gary Kusin, former president and co-founder of GameStop, talks about current prices. In an interview with FandomWire. This retail chain was once one of the largest game stores in the country.
Kusin also mentioned what the prices used to be. He said, “We've been talking about that for 40 years. When we started Babbage's, video games were $49.99. Adjusted to today's prices, that's about $70 to $80.” This proves that prices are a little high.
The industry is not in a position to justify these prices.
Kusin went on to say that only a few titles can really justify this price, especially multiplayer games that offer ongoing content with each new season. He said, “For me, the market today considers it too expensive. Some publishers might be able to justify it if they're shipping massively multiplayer games that are incredibly complex software. ” The current model lacks logic. The game must decide the value.
GameStop also allows players to buy used games at affordable prices and justify the expense of newer games. Mr. Kushin said:
That's where GameStop came into play. The resale business is a major pillar of our business and will continue to be for a long time to come. Some people from various economic backgrounds may not be able to afford top-of-the-line bandwidth or hardware, but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy the full gaming experience through the second-hand market.
Currently, the market is so large that players have many different locations to choose from. Although the digital market is still on top, there are also many players who buy used games at good prices. The industry should really pay attention to what players want. Live service models are very difficult to make successful. New segments of the industry should focus on games that are more affordable and easier to sell.
What do you think about Kushin's declaration? Let us know in the comments!
