More than ever, video games have become a luxury. All that interactive bliss costs a pretty penny, and with a new console generation on the way, prices are only going to increase. PlayStation has decided to slap a boatload of developing countries (and a few Vikings), with a price increase on the eve of the next-gen through its PlayStation Store online store, and yes, we’re also on the list.
“Starting September 26, 2020, Sony Interactive Entertainment will update prices for PlayStation Store content in select countries to reflect current market conditions,” an email sent to local distributors stated (tip o’ the hat to MyBroadband). “As a result, the following countries will see a decrease for most PS Store content:
- Denmark
- Israel
- Middle East
- Switzerland
The following countries will see an increase:
- Brazil
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Norway
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Turkey
It hasn’t been mentioned which games are getting an increase, but a quick perusal by MyBB found a few games had increased their prices, while some remained the same. In some cases, a few games had even decreased in price. Marvel’s Avengers, Need for Speed Heat, and Cyberpunk 2077 all added a few Randelas onto their price tags, while the likes of NBA 2K21, FIFA 21, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stayed firm at their original outrageous prices.
Gaming is most likely going to reach the R1400 mark in this new generation, as Sony and several other game studios have already mentioned that rising development costs means that the $60 entry fee into a day one release of a hot new game has to be increased to $70. While not every game will be slapping an extra price tag onto its cover, those games with more hype and pedigree to their names will be looking to squeeze some extra coin out of your pocket in the near future.
Of course, you don’t have to buy a game on the day it launches, as patience and strangling the fear of missing out emotions means that you can usually score yourself a bargain further down the line. Otherwise, now might be a good time to start getting lucky in the national lottery, if you’re looking to be up to date on your gaming hobby.
Last Updated: September 30, 2020
Iskape
September 30, 2020 at 08:23
There are very few games I buy on day one. I think the last game I bought on day one was Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and that was the most expensive version. To this day, I haven’t finished all the DLC. Everything else, I wait until a sale. I am very much a completionist, so I try to finish as much of a games as possible. I try to extract every drop of entertainment I can from a game. I paid good money for it anyway!
For the Emperor!
September 30, 2020 at 08:23
Ag nee man! This combined with Warhammer 40K is gonna make me save less per month!
MechMachine
September 30, 2020 at 09:39
Warhammer is an expensive endeavor. Respect !
Iskape
September 30, 2020 at 08:23
There are very few games I buy on day one. I think the last game I bought on day one was Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and that was the most expensive version. To this day, I haven’t finished all the DLC. Everything else, I wait until a sale. I am very much a completionist, so I try to finish as much of a games as possible. I try to extract every drop of entertainment I can from a game. I paid good money for it anyway!
For the Emperor!
September 30, 2020 at 09:01
I need to get the last DLC for Odyssey I think. Loved that game!
Banana Jim
September 30, 2020 at 12:05
Yeah, I don’t buy on day one any more (nor do I preorder), everything is on sale, and I’m also a completionist (so I tend to go for the platinum or at least near 100%). This has meant that in the past my backlog has been huge, since I’d stick with one or two games for a long time. All this means, is less game purchases from me.
There’s no way I’m paying R1400 for a game. That’s not going to happen (ever). It doesn’t matter who made the game, or whether it’s being lauded as the second coming. My wallet says no. https://media4.giphy.com/media/wofftnAdDtx4s/giphy.gif
OddSockZA
September 30, 2020 at 09:01
Just another bit of news that’s making me reconsider my PS5 purchase and get an Xbox instead. Game Pass has just gone DOWN in price.
For the Emperor!
September 30, 2020 at 09:18
I have exactly the same feeling at the moment. And I was all on the PS5 train for some God of War action! I cannot justify both consoles as I am also a member Master Race, so must choose only 1 console!
**Also a member of the Imperium of Man so 40K takes some (lots) of moneys as well**
For the Emperor!
September 30, 2020 at 09:18
I have exactly the same feeling at the moment. And I was all on the PS5 train for some God of War action! I cannot justify both consoles as I am also a member Master Race, so must choose only 1 console!
**Also a member of the Imperium of Man so 40K takes some (lots) of moneys as well**
Iskape
September 30, 2020 at 09:20
Game Pass was the main reason why I bought into the XSX. If it wasn’t for that, I would have most probably gone with a PS5 due to their great exclusives. I am not a brand fanboi, so either console would have worked if not for Game Pass, which sold me on getting the XSX.
justlikemo
September 30, 2020 at 13:54
Same here Geoff, also considering getting a Xbox as my next console, if I can move the kids fortnite account to xbox, they will also be over joyed, value for their gamespass is just so much more awesome.
John Deckard
September 30, 2020 at 09:39
Global recession, millions out of work, millions not getting increases this year, maybe next. Sony chooses to put their prices up. I’m sure it makes sense to someone, somewhere.
Kervyn Cloete
September 30, 2020 at 10:02
Well, it’s definitely making cents for someone somewhere.
Seeker
September 30, 2020 at 09:46
This won’t even help Sony in any way. Fewer people will buy games at launch and PlayStation will loose money because they sell the console at a loss. They really need to come up with an alternative strategy to monetise their games like how MS did with Gamepass.
Quap Mocka
September 30, 2020 at 11:47
Oh well. People will either be buying less games come next gen, or as most people are doing switching to game pass. I for one will be buy less games day one (only 2 for 2021), and waiting for discount sales or getting my games second hand from forums.
Banana Jim
September 30, 2020 at 11:52
What’s that I hear? Is that a seagul? What’s that I see? Is that a ship’s mast? Oh what flag is that? Oh my… the Jolly Roger!!!
Oh my!
Daniel Sansom
October 2, 2020 at 02:29
Sony is losing this coming generation. They arrogantly believe they will retain their customer base from the PS4. Same thing happens every gen, there’s a flip flop between these corporations who stake too much on brand loyalty and become complacent. In a torn economy they should be finding ways to get as many games in as many hands as possible early to capture the market. But they are tone deaf to the climate and pander to the publishers instead. If they had a game pass equivalent, sure. Raise the prices. But they don’t. And they will likely scramble to have some evolved version of PS Now mid-gen to recoop losses, too little too late. As someone who has forked out tens of thousands on games to Sony over the years, with roughly 1000 games and 400 plats, even Im considering Xbox now.