A $100 price rise for video games is good for everyone Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished January 25, 2025 9:00am Would you pay 100 for GTA 6? (Rockstar)A reader argues that rumours of GTA 6 costing up to 100 could be good for gaming, if it ends the need for live service games and microtransactions.Theres a lot of rumours that go around in the video game world and a lot of them seem to come true just ask Nintendo. One thats been around for a while now is the idea that Rockstar Games is going to charge $100 (so likely 100) for GTA 6. It was just a rumour and not from one of the better sources, so a lot of people dismissed it even though you can totally imagine it as something theyd want to do.Now, this week, I read that analysts have hope that not only is GTA 6 going to cost that much but that other games will be able to charge that much as well and the ones that cant justify it can at least increase their price by $10/10. So 80 would probably become the new norm, with 100 reserved for the very biggest games (Id imagine Call Of Duty and EA Sports FC, for example).I honestly think this would be a good thing. I know what youre thinking but hear me out, because I know Im not the first to say that games need a price rise, and that theyve become completely disconnected from the amount of time and money need to make them. Which is why we have so few new ideas and too many microtransactions.The most obvious argument in favour of a price rise is that games have barely increased in price since they were invented. Back in the day, new SNES games were either 50 or 60, so prices actually went down at the start of the PlayStation era. I dont remember how much Starwing (aka Star Fox) was at the time, but I do know it was more expensive than even that.60 in 1992 is 130 when adjusted for inflation, so not only are games today still cheaper than they were back in the 90s but even increasing them to 100 would be a lot less than even just a standard game back in the cartridge days.I dont know why publishers dont constantly try to increase the price. Youd think doing it by just a few pounds every couple of years would get people used to the idea and mean no sudden leaps. But they havent done that and so whenever there is a price increase people get very angry.Im not in favour of this because Im rich or anything but were constantly told that most people only buy a few games each year, so in that sense a modest increase doesnt seem so bad. Its not like Im advocating increasing your grocery bill by double every week. Call Of Duty is already 70 (Activision)But I believe that many of the problems we have with games at the moment is because publishers are struggling to make enough money from them and have to constantly invent things like DLC and microtransactions to get more money out of people. No game is ever complete nowadays, without buying extra content and the idea of having unlockables that are free just doesnt happen anymore.Theyre always looking to nickel and dime us and, to be honest, I can kind of see why. Before you think Ive gone crazy Im not saying everything should be 100 but if something like GTA 6 has taken $2 billion and a decade to make Im fairly confident its going to be worth it.Not every game is going to be in that situation though and I think one of the main benefits of the price increase is that it could pay for the other games. A lot of people dont realise that most games make little or no profit, most publishers only have one or two big games that make the money and thats why publishers are so desperate to have a hit live service game, despite it being so unlikely.A price rise would mean they no longer need to chase that rainbow, plus they can make smaller and more experimental games a lot easier. They wouldnt do being this out of a love of gaming but simply because they know they need new blood and its getting harder and harder to afford taking that chance.More TrendingI for one would be very happy if a 100 EA Sports FC, for example, ended up paying for EA to make some new games and try and stop fleecing everyone. If we know how much a game is going to be upfront and theres absolutely no hidden extras, I think thats a lot better situation to what weve got today.By reader Grackle Would you pay more for EA Sports FC 25s sequel? (EA)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy