Sega suggests it could become the latest publisher to raise game prices to $70

Sonic publisher Sega could become the latest game maker to start charging $70 for some of its new releases.

Sega Sammy CEO Haruki Satomi and CFO Koichi Fukazawa were asked about the possibility of raising game prices during a Q&A session following the publication of the company’s full-year earnings in April.

“In the global marketplace, AAA game titles for console have been sold at $59.99 for many years, but titles sold at $69.99 have appeared in the last year,” Sega said in a newly published English transcript of the event.

“We would like to review the prices of titles that we believe are commensurate with price increases, while also keeping an eye on market conditions.”

In August 2020, Take-Two’s NBA 2K21 became the first current-gen game to be priced at $70. Sony and Activision quickly followed suit by charging $70 for big new releases, followed by the likes of EA and Square Enix, with the Final Fantasy publisher even bringing the increased price point to some of its PC games.

Microsoft and Nintendo released their first $70 games this month, while Ubisoft has said its long-delayed Skull & Bones will be its first $70 title.

Further reading

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After Sonic movie success, Sega says it could adapt other IPs for the big screen

“We would like to take on challenges outside of the Sonic IP should the opportunity arise”

Sega’s last major release, November 2022’s Sonic Frontiers, was priced at $59.99 / £49.99 for the standard edition on all platforms. It sold over 3.2 million units as of the end of March 2023.

The company’s upcoming games include June’s Sonic Origins Plus and Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection, and this summer’s Samba de Amigo: Party Central.