EA won’t follow Xbox and Nintendo’s price hikes... at least for now
Despite rising game prices elsewhere, EA says it has no plans to raise the cost of its titles at this point.
As the global economy tightens and video game development costs continue to rise, publishers are adjusting both hardware and software prices. Nintendo made waves when it announced Mario Kart World would launch at a steep $89.99, and Microsoft is preparing similar increases for upcoming Xbox titles. So where does Electronic Arts stand?
EA pushes back on immediate price hikes
In a recent Q&A session with shareholders, EA CEO Andrew Wilson addressed the situation directly:
“Our business today is very different from what it was even 10 years ago,” Wilson explained. “Back then, all we did was sell shiny discs in plastic boxes.”
While physical sales still play a role, Wilson emphasized that EA’s monetization strategy has evolved, now including free-to-play models, deluxe editions, and ongoing content services.
“At the end of the day, whether we make something that costs $1, $10, or $100, our goal is always to deliver quality and exponential value to our player base.”
He also clarified that “at this point” there are no changes planned in EA’s pricing strategy, suggesting that—for now—standard editions of EA games will remain at the current $69.99 MSRP in the U.S.
Industry-wide uncertainty
Nintendo’s pricing for Mario Kart World raised eyebrows not just for the $89.99 cost but also because it signaled a potential shift in how companies price their marquee titles. Microsoft’s upcoming releases are expected to follow suit with higher base prices, and Deluxe Editions for many games have already crept toward or beyond the $99.99 mark.
While Sony has yet to officially react, the industry is clearly watching and adjusting. But EA is standing firm... for now. Whether that changes in the months ahead remains to be seen, especially as production costs continue to climb.
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