Publishers, Not Sony, are Responsible for Game Prices
Game prices have become a subject of renewed debate following news that Sony is preparing to end physical disc production. Some players believe that with the rise of digital sales, prices on the PlayStation Store are directly controlled by Sony. However, according to a former Sony Interactive Entertainment executive, the recommended retail price of games is determined by the publisher, not the platform owner.
Game Prices Shaped by Publishers’ Decisions
Former Sony executive Gordon Thornton explained that the PlayStation Store uses a buy-sell model. In this system, the publisher acts as the party providing the product to the store and determines the recommended retail price of the game. According to Thornton, Sony does not directly control the pricing structure of third-party publishers.
This statement presents a different picture in response to criticisms that Sony unilaterally raises or fixes game prices in its digital store. While publishers decide at what starting price to sell their games, Sony takes a certain store share from sales. However, the platform’s discount periods, currency conversions, and regional policies can affect the final price.
If physical game production is reduced or completely discontinued, publishers can be expected to shift more towards digital sales. While there is price competition between stores for disc versions, digital games are mostly sold through the platform’s own store. This could reduce alternative purchasing options for consumers and eliminate the secondhand market, even if Sony doesn’t set the price.
It is stated that Sony plans to continue offering games in digital format in retail stores. While it is thought that this could be implemented through methods such as selling download codes in the box, details have not yet been revealed. The former executive’s words indicate that the ultimate decision on game pricing belongs to the publishers, but it does not completely allay concerns about the impact of the end of physical sales on competition and consumer choices.
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