Ex-Sony CEO Says Video Game Publishers Should Have Trained Fans for Continuous Price Increases
The price of video games has been increasing over the last generation, and players are not happy about it. This issue of rising prices is complex, but there are experts who understand it well, like former PlayStation CEO, Shawn Layden.
Layden’s View on Video Game Prices
Layden shared his thoughts on the rising prices of games, offering a new perspective on the situation.
In a video interview with PlayerDrive, Layden mentioned that if you consider inflation, video game prices have actually decreased. He also believes that if video game companies had increased prices by just $5 each generation, players would have been more accepting of paying more for each game.
Layden explained, “In 1999, $59.99 is about $100 in 2025. So, as you can see, your buying power compared to the cost of living is lower today than it used to be. But companies were still hesitant to raise prices.”
The Impact of Gradual Price Increases
Layden’s argument isn’t just about money; it’s also about how the price change impacts players. He believes that if companies had slowly raised prices over time, like an extra $5 every generation, it would have felt more normal. By now, games could be priced at $90, and it wouldn’t have been such a shock to the audience.
In this way, the situation might still be the same, but the gradual increases might have made it easier for players to accept.
