Sony Increases Digital Game Prices in Turkey and Brazil
At a time when console prices are competing with phones and games are sold for $80, playing games has almost become a luxury in some regions. Users in Turkey and Brazil have encountered suddenly rising game prices on the PlayStation Store. Following previous increases in annual PlayStation Plus fees, this time digital games were the target.
Digital Game Prices Are Climbing in Turkey and Brazil
According to Brazil-based gaming platform GameVicio, the expected price increases occurred earlier than September. Silent Hill f’s price was increased from 349.90 Brazilian real to 399.90 real. This is equivalent to about $73. Recently released games such as Astro Bot also increased from 299.90 to 339.90 real. The price of physical games has not changed yet, but it is stated that this situation may change in the coming days.
A similar picture is also being experienced in Türkiye. Turkish gamers have voiced their reactions to price increases on social media and forums. The fact that the digital version of the game Ghost of Yotei was sold for 3,449 TL in particular drew attention. This figure corresponds to more than 20 percent of the income of an average salary earner in Türkiye. In other words, an employee may need to spend five days’ salary for a game.
Increasing exchange rate differences, regional income levels and global inflation make the price balance in the gaming sector even more complicated. The fact that Sony has not made an official statement about this pricing has increased the reaction of users. Gamers are demanding a fairer pricing policy that takes regional income differences into account.
