Microsoft, Sony, console device product line is raised
Nintendo imposes additional prices on the overseas version of ‘Switch 2’
Game subscription fees are also raised
Software is also ‘mugwort’… GTA 6
Game ‘Target Inflation’ in earnest… The three console rows ‘raises the price’
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Three consoles, including Microsoft (MS), Sony and Nintendo, have been raising prices. The US tariff war is also affecting the game industry.
In May, Microsoft has made price hikes throughout the Xbox family. The XBOX Series X increased by 20% and 26.6%, from $ 499.99 to $ 599.99, and Series S from $ 299.99 to $ 379.99, respectively.
Peripherals such as wireless controllers and headsets also raised their prices at around 20%. Domestic sales prices have not changed at 688,000 won and Series S at 398,000 won, but Microsoft said that the price increase of products except headsets will be applied throughout the world.
At the beginning of the year, some game software sales will also increase from $ 69.99 to $ 79.99. Microsoft said, “We decided to raise the market carefully in consideration of the market situation and the increase in development costs.”
Nintendo was the first to sell the software sales of $ 79.99. On April 2, the next console device ‘Switch 2’ showcase set the selling price of Mario Cartworld at $ 79.99.
Game ‘Target Inflation’ in earnest… The three console rows ‘raises the price’
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In addition, unlike the switch, which was sold at the same price worldwide, the switch 2 applied the differential price system to 49980 yen (about 482,000 won) and 69980 yen (domestic sales of 675,000 won).
In the industry, Nintendo’s policy has been influenced by the US tariffs. Nintendo launched the ‘Switch 2’ global pre -booking on April 9, but also postponed the US on 24 weeks later.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sony IE) also raised the price of ‘PlayStation Plus (PS+)’ last month. As for one month, the Essential Plan was generally over 40% from 7,500 won to 1800 won and the special plan was 11,300 won to 16,200 won.
In addition to domestic and abroad, the price of PlayStation 5 products in the region, such as Oceania and Europe, has also increased to about 10%. Both PS+and device prices have not been raised in the US, which is also pointed out that this is also affected by the US tariff.
The industry also responds to the ‘predicted situation’ in the industry. The US Entertainment Software Association (ESA) expressed concern about President Trump’s tariff policy in February that it would have a negative impact on game devices and related products and hundreds of millions of Americans.
It is also argued that game software prices can also increase if economic uncertainty continues due to trade war. In the industry, it is observed that the Grand Tef Auto 6 of the US Rockstar Games, which is about to be launched this fall, can once again break the price barrier. The previous GTA 5 of the GTA series is a very popular film that has recorded 200 million cumulative sales by last year since its launch in 2013.
Lee Won -yong Global Economic Reporter won92kr@naver.com
