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Game Prices Slashed: The $70 Era Is Over!
14 Feb
Summary
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developed for under $10 million.
- Cheaper games like Clair Obscur offer significant value.
- Industry faces crisis with rising budgets and stagnant revenue.
The video game industry is facing significant financial challenges, with development budgets soaring while revenues struggle to keep pace. This trend is prompting discussions about the sustainability of current game pricing models. At the recent DICE convention in Las Vegas, the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as a key talking point.
Reportedly developed for less than $10 million, Clair Obscur achieved critical acclaim and sold over 6 million copies since its April 2025 release. This success stands in stark contrast to many high-budget titles. Its launch price of $50, further discounted to $40 on Steam, offered consumers exceptional value, influencing industry conversations.
Many developers are now advocating for flexible pricing strategies. This approach, exemplified by games like Mewgenics at $27 and Hollow Knight: Silksong at $20, is seen as a way to attract players and generate more revenue, particularly for titles that are not blockbusters. The traditional $70 price point is increasingly being questioned.
The shift towards digital distribution has also contributed to higher profit margins for publishers. Despite these factors, the industry continues to explore ways to navigate the economic downturn. A key takeaway from recent trends is that the dominance of the $70 game price may soon be a thing of the past.
