Console Prices Are Out of Control
While the gaming industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, console prices have become one of the most frequently discussed topics. Unlike devices that used to become more affordable over time, console prices today are almost never decreasing, and in fact, they sometimes increase. This makes it particularly difficult for younger players to join the gaming ecosystem. Recent statements by Capcom president Tsujimoto Haruhiro indicate that this problem has become too serious to ignore.
Console Prices Are Creating a New Crisis in the Gaming World
Capcom president Haruhiro stated that the PS5’s high price is a serious obstacle to the success of games like Monster Hunter Wilds, which aim to reach a mass audience. This statement clearly highlights a problem that has long been felt not only by the company but also by many publishers. While consoles like the PlayStation and PS2 were previously accessible to a wider audience through short price reductions, the PS5’s price increase is generating significant consumer backlash.
In past generations, console affordability made it easier for young people to enter the gaming world. During the PSP era, the Monster Hunter phenomenon became widespread in Japan thanks to the console’s affordable price. However, the current high cost of consoles is driving young people towards smartphones. This could lead to a new generation of gamers drifting away from the console ecosystem and shrinking their future customer base.
Nintendo’s strategy in this regard provides a significant counterexample to Sony and Microsoft. Keeping the Switch 2’s price more affordable in Japan is significant for maintaining its player base. Furthermore, more affordable models like the Xbox Series S play a critical role in reaching a wider player base. Sony’s failure to take a similar step is considered a risky choice for PlayStation’s future.
The PC market also highlights the magnitude of this problem. The fact that many gamers are trying to run games on hardware below the minimum system requirements demonstrates the need for affordable solutions. Unless this need is addressed in the console world, it seems inevitable that younger generations, in particular, will stay away from consoles. This could hinder brands from gaining loyal player bases in the long run.
Read More: Wolverine Game Is Closer Than We Think
