January 21st 2025.
"What would be a fair price to pay for a video game? It seems like everyone has their own opinion. In the letters section of Tuesday's newspaper, one reader argues that Mario Kart should not be a launch game for the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, while another is adamant about not wanting a PlayStation 6. If you want to join the discussion, you can email us your thoughts at the provided email address. But only if you think it's worth it."
"There's been a story going around about some in the gaming industry 'hoping' that the highly anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto 6, will cost between $80-100. The reason behind this is that it would set a precedent for other companies to follow suit with their own new releases. However, this news has not been well received on social media, with many arguing that GTA 6 is the only game that could justify such a high price tag given the immense hype and expected quality from Rockstar Games."
"I personally agree with this sentiment, as much as I may not always agree with Rockstar's choices. It's been said before, but standing anywhere on a Rockstar map, something is bound to happen. Their world design is just on a whole other level compared to other developers. And from what we've seen in the trailer and rumors, it seems like they're going all out with non-player character intelligence this time around, which will only add to the immersive experience of random mini-stories popping up."
"If other AAA companies want to start charging $80-100 for their games, they better make sure they're delivering top-notch quality or they'll learn the hard way when their incomplete and shallow experiences fail to meet sales expectations. Even EA Sports FC, usually a guaranteed success, has faced backlash from customers who are fed up with the constant glitches and poor quality control. It's understandable to have a few bugs here and there, but after four months of a game's release, these issues should be fixed. It's no wonder the game can now be found for under £25."
"If any developers should be able to charge a bit more for their games, it's indie developers who consistently deliver some of the best games of the year. I've personally sunk over 100 hours into Balatro, which only cost me £12..."
Moving on to reader's comments, one person brings up the fact that EA Sports FC 25 was the best-selling game of 2024 in the UK. They sarcastically remark, "People in their right mind, huh?"
"I just read on your page that game publishers are hoping to sell GTA 6 for £100, just for the sake of inflating prices. But the problem with that is GTA games don't come out that often. It's been over 10 years since the last release, and during that time, Rockstar has continuously provided free DLCs. On the other hand, games like EA Sports FC and Call of Duty have yearly releases, so it's not worth paying £100 for a game that will be replaced within a year. GTA has become a golden egg, where you buy it and for the next 10 years, everything that comes out is free. If all games start costing £100, I'll probably give up gaming because it won't be worth it in my eyes."
Another reader expresses their excitement and anxiety about the potential release of a new Nintendo game for the Switch 2, hoping it will be something they've been wishing for. They joke, "If it's F-Zero, I might just explode."
"I know it's just a rumor, but I would love for Nintendo to go all out and spend a ton of money on a great game, even if it won't sell as much. It's worth it to have a game that the developers are passionate about and proud of. And let's be real, what's $20 million to a company that's making as much money as Nintendo? I get the feeling they do this anyway sometimes, with games like Bayonetta and Famicom Detective Club. Nintendo may not be the wealthiest of the three console makers, but they're the only ones who take risks like this."
"I hope Nintendo ends the Switch era with a bang, instead of just fading away. And if they do, I'll be the first one to pre-order the Switch 2 as soon as it's available."
Moving on to another topic, a reader shares their thoughts on the upcoming PlayStation 6 and how it will compare to the Switch 2. "Somehow, I don't think the PlayStation 6 reveal trailer will outshine the Nintendo Switch 2, especially if Sony plans to release it in 2027 or anytime near that. It's no surprise that it will take a while, as they've already stated that the PlayStation 5 has reached its peak in terms of console sales. However, in terms of games released, it feels like it's barely started and has been stagnant for the past two years. In comparison, the Switch 1 is retiring with the best versions of almost every Nintendo franchise and multiple 10/10 games, while the PlayStation 5 only had a few good cross-gen releases at the beginning."
The reader goes on to mention the irony that the best games on the PlayStation 5, Returnal and Astro Bot, were not heavily promoted by Sony and didn't sell as well as others. They express their willingness to let Nintendo dominate the gaming industry for a while, as long as they continue to produce quality games.
Ending on a lighter note, a reader shares their experience playing a game called The Longing on their phone. They mention getting to day 344 and finally figuring out how to progress in the game, only to tragically end up falling off a cliff and having to start over at day 1. They commend the game for its interesting concept but admit they don't have the patience to start over again at day 400.
Lastly, a reader expresses their concerns about how Nintendo will handle backwards compatibility on the Switch 2. They admit that they still can't shake off the memories of the Wii U and its lack of success in this aspect.
What price would be right?
I've been thinking a lot lately about the potential price for upcoming games, especially with the rumors surrounding GTA 6. It seems that some people in the industry are hoping the game will cost between $80-100, with the idea that other companies will follow suit and raise their prices as well. As expected, this has sparked a lot of debate online, with many arguing that GTA 6 is the only game that could justify such a high price point due to its hype and expected quality from Rockstar Games.
Personally, I agree with this sentiment. Love them or hate them, Rockstar always delivers top-notch games. Their attention to detail and world design is unmatched, and rumors suggest that they are taking it to the next level with advanced non-player character intelligence. This will only add to the immersive experience and random encounters in their games.
If other big game companies want to follow suit and raise their prices, they better be ready to deliver on quality. Otherwise, they will face the consequences when their incomplete and shallow games fail to meet sales expectations. Even EA Sports FC, usually a guaranteed success, faced backlash from customers due to poor quality control and lack of development time. These issues should have been fixed months after release, not still present four months later. No wonder it can already be found for a discounted price.
If any company deserves to charge a little more, it's indie developers who consistently deliver amazing games. I have spent over 100 hours playing Balatro, which only cost me around £12. That's a bargain compared to some AAA titles.
Switching gears, I came across an interesting rumor that game publishers are hoping to price GTA 6 at £100. As a fan of the series, I can understand the excitement, but the problem is that GTA games don't come around that often. It's been over 10 years since the last installment, with multiple free DLCs released during that time. On the other hand, games like EA Sports FC and Call of Duty release a new game every year. It's not reasonable to expect people to pay £100 for a game that will be outdated in just 12 months. GTA is like the golden egg of gaming - you buy it once and enjoy endless free content for years to come. If all games start costing £100, I might have to give up gaming altogether.
Moving on to the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors, I really hope their last release for the console isn't some niche fan-service game. If it's F-Zero, I'll probably go crazy with excitement. I know it's just a rumor, but I would love for Nintendo to go all out and make a game that maybe won't sell millions but will be a masterpiece loved by the developers and fans alike. And let's be real, $20 million is nothing to a company like Nintendo. I feel like they already do this sometimes with games like Bayonetta and Famicom Detective Club. They may not be the wealthiest of the console makers, but they are the only ones that take such risks.
As for the PlayStation 6, I highly doubt it will outshine the Nintendo Switch 2 if Sony plans to release it in 2027. While the PlayStation 5 may have peaked in terms of console sales, it's still lacking in terms of game releases. In comparison, the Switch has had a successful run with multiple 10/10 games and the best versions of Nintendo franchises. The irony is that the best PlayStation 5 games, like Returnal and Astro Bot, were not heavily promoted and didn't sell as well. At this point, I wouldn't mind if Nintendo dominated the industry for a while. At least I know they will deliver quality games.
Lastly, I want to talk about a game I've been playing on my iOS device called The Longing. After hours of playing and reaching day 344, I found myself stuck with no idea how to progress. Finally, I discovered a way to climb a ledge and entered a dark tunnel, only to find a huge cliff. Despite the warnings, I jumped off, thinking there would be something special waiting for me. And there was - a one-way ticket to heaven! Game over. It's an interesting game, but I don't have the patience to start all over again at day 400.
This brings me to my biggest concern for the Switch 2 - how will Nintendo handle backwards compatibility? As a Wii U owner, I know the struggles of losing access to previous games when upgrading to a new console. I hope Nintendo has a solution this time around, so I can fully enjoy the new console without the shadow of the Wii U looming over it.
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