EA Defies Trend: No Plans to Raise Video Game Prices

In a reassuring announcement for gamers, EA has made it clear that it will not be following the recent trend of price hikes seen with competitors like Microsoft and Nintendo. During the company's latest financial call, CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized EA's commitment to providing "incredible quality and exponential value" to its player base. This commitment is evident in the success of titles like Split Fiction, which has impressively sold 4 million copies.

Wilson highlighted the evolution of EA's business model over the past decade, moving away from solely selling physical copies in stores to a more diverse pricing strategy. "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 stated. This shift allows EA to cater to a broad range of consumer preferences and price points, from $1 to $100, while maintaining a focus on quality and value.

CFO Stuart Canfield reinforced this stance, noting that there are "no changes in our current [pricing] strategy at this point." This decision comes at a time when other major players in the industry, such as Microsoft, have announced price increases. Microsoft recently confirmed it would raise the prices of Xbox consoles, accessories, and some games, with new first-party titles expected to cost $79.99 during the holiday season.

The broader AAA gaming market has seen a significant price jump 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 games. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a move that has sparked debate among fans, though analysts suggest such pricing is inevitable amid current economic conditions.

Given EA's firm stance on pricing, fans can expect that future releases like EA Sports FC, Madden, and Battlefield will adhere to the $70 standard edition pricing. This news comes amidst reports from IGN that EA cut around 100 jobs at Apex Legend developer Respawn Entertainment, along with broader layoffs affecting approximately 300 individuals across the organization.