If €80 feels like too much to pay for a new video game, brace yourself: it might not stop there. Haruhiro Tsujimoto, the president of Capcom, believes games are still underpriced and argues that €100 could soon become the norm.
The cost of making games today is astronomical compared to earlier eras. Back in the days of the Nintendo Famicom, development teams were smaller, and the tools were far less complex. Now, creating a blockbuster title demands hundreds of employees, cutting-edge technology, and years of effort. Some projects, like Red Dead Redemption II, cost more to produce than major Hollywood films. That game alone had a reported budget of $540 million—equivalent to producing two Avatar movies.
Even smaller-scale productions are feeling the pinch. Games like Starfield have budgets of $200 million, while Shadow of the Tomb Raider was reportedly developed for $125 million. In this context, developers and publishers are finding it harder than ever to turn a profit, especially as consumer expectations for graphics, story, and gameplay continue to climb.
The Push for Higher Prices
To cope with these skyrocketing costs, publishers have already started raising game prices. Sony led the charge with the launch of the PlayStation 5, pricing its AAA titles at €80. Other publishers quickly followed suit. Warner Bros., for example, released Mortal Kombat 1 with a €75 price tag for the standard edition. Collector’s editions, paid expansions, and early access passes have also become common strategies to recoup investments.
But Tsujimoto insists these increases aren’t enough. In a recent interview with Nikkei, he argued that the rising cost of game development—coupled with inflation and industry-wide salary growth—justifies even higher prices at launch.
“I personally think game prices are too low,” Tsujimoto said. “Development costs are about 100 times higher than during the Famicom era, but game prices haven’t increased at the same rate. It’s also necessary to raise wages. Considering salaries are rising across the industry, increasing unit prices is a healthy option for businesses.”
According to him, a fair price for modern games would be around €100.
What Does This Mean for Gamers?
While Tsujimoto’s comments are just a suggestion for now, they raise a significant question: how far are players willing to go to support the gaming industry? A shift to €100 games could alienate casual players or those on tighter budgets, potentially pushing more people toward the second-hand market—a sector that doesn’t benefit publishers or developers.
The push for higher prices could also fuel debates about the value players get from their purchases. For example, are games packed with content worth a higher price, or does the growing reliance on microtransactions and DLC make a premium price harder to swallow?
Will Gamers Pay €100 for a Game?
The gaming community has mixed feelings about rising costs. On one hand, there’s recognition that bigger budgets often lead to more ambitious, immersive games. Titles like The Last of Us Part II or Cyberpunk 2077 demonstrate just how much effort and resources modern gaming demands—when done right, the results can be spectacular. But not every high-budget title succeeds, and many gamers worry about paying more for games that may not meet expectations.
Some players argue that an increase in game prices is inevitable, given the financial realities of the industry. Others fear it could widen the gap between casual players and those who can afford to buy games at launch. Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus may become even more critical for those looking to access high-quality games without breaking the bank.
A Future of Expensive Gaming?
While Tsujimoto’s suggestion is far from official policy, it reflects a growing tension in the gaming world. Development costs, consumer expectations, and the realities of inflation are pushing the industry toward a breaking point. Whether or not €100 games become standard, one thing is certain: the conversation about game pricing is far from over.
Would you pay €100 for a new release if it meant supporting better wages and higher-quality games? Or does this price hike threaten to leave too many players behind? The next few years will likely determine how much value gamers—and the industry—place on their favorite pastime.