EA Defies Trend: No Plans to Raise Video Game Prices

In a recent financial call, EA's CEO Andrew Wilson made it clear that the company has no intention of following the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo in raising the price of its games. Instead, EA's strategy remains firmly focused on delivering "incredible quality and exponential value" to its playerbase, as exemplified by the success of their co-op adventure, Split Fiction, which has sold an impressive 4 million copies.

Wilson highlighted the evolution of EA's business model over the last decade, noting that while physical sales are still part of their operations, they now represent a much smaller segment. Today, EA's pricing strategy spans a broad spectrum, from free-to-play options to deluxe editions and beyond. "At the end of the day, whether we're doing something that costs a dollar, or we're doing something that costs $10, or we're doing something that costs $100, our objective is always to deliver incredible quality and exponential value for our playerbase," Wilson stated. He emphasized that by combining quality and value, EA's business remains robust, resilient, and poised for growth.

EA's CFO, Stuart Canfield, reinforced this stance by confirming that there are no planned changes to the company's current pricing strategy. This decision comes at a time when other major players in the industry, such as Microsoft, have announced price increases. Microsoft recently confirmed raising the prices of Xbox consoles, accessories, and some games, with new first-party titles expected to cost $79.99 around the holiday season.

The gaming industry has seen a broader trend of escalating prices, with AAA gaming prices jumping from $60 to $70 in the last five years. Nintendo has also announced a price increase to $80 for certain Switch 2 exclusive titles, including Mario Kart World and other Switch 2 Edition games. The upcoming Switch 2 console itself will launch at $450, a move that has drawn criticism from fans but is seen by analysts as inevitable amid current economic conditions.

Given EA's commitment to maintaining current pricing, fans can expect the next iterations of EA Sports FC, Madden, and Battlefield to adhere to the $70 standard edition pricing. This stance is particularly noteworthy following last week's IGN report that EA had cut around 100 jobs at Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment, alongside broader layoffs affecting approximately 300 individuals across the organization.