EA Defies Industry Trend: No Plans to Raise Video Game Prices

In a recent financial call with investors, EA has made it clear that it will not follow the trend set by Microsoft and Nintendo in raising the price of its games to $80. CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the company's commitment to delivering "incredible quality and exponential value" to its playerbase. This approach is exemplified by the success of their co-op adventure Split Fiction, which has impressively sold 4 million copies.

Wilson highlighted the evolution of EA's business model over the last decade, noting a significant shift from traditional retail sales of physical copies to a broader spectrum of pricing strategies. "In a world where everything we did 10 years ago was about selling shiny discs in plastic boxes on retail shelves — well, that’s still a part of our business, but it’s a significantly smaller part," Wilson stated. He added that EA now offers products ranging from free-to-play to deluxe editions, focusing on marrying quality and value to ensure a strong, resilient, and growing business.

CFO Stuart Canfield reinforced this stance, stating that there are "no changes in our current pricing strategy at this point." This news comes as a relief to gamers, especially in light of recent announcements from competitors. Just last week, Microsoft confirmed it was raising Xbox prices, affecting not only consoles and accessories but also planning to charge $79.99 for new first-party games during the holiday season.

This move by Microsoft aligns with a wider trend in AAA gaming, where prices have escalated from $60 to $70 over the past five years. Nintendo has also announced a price increase, setting $80 for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and other Switch 2 Edition games. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a decision that has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, though many see it as inevitable amid current economic conditions.

Given EA's firm stance on pricing, fans can expect the next titles in popular franchises like EA Sports FC, Madden, and Battlefield to maintain the $70 standard edition price point. This commitment to value and quality comes amidst reports from IGN that EA cut around 100 jobs at Apex Legend developer Respawn Entertainment and made broader cuts impacting approximately 300 individuals across the organization.