Bloomberg's all broken for me, so going by the snippet:
I get the impression the absolute majority of games aren't even past the 40 USD threshold, including the majority of successful games I see in the wild. If the snippet considers the AAA games as a good sample for the gaming market, I'd argue otherwise, that they're a loud minority of games, and a decaying one at that for multiple reasons, including the bloated prices.
this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2026
228 points (94.5% liked)
Games
46922 readers
822 users here now
Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.
Rules
1. Submissions have to be related to games
Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.
This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.
2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil
No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.
We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.
3. No excessive self-promotion
Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.
This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.
4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts
This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.
We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.
5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW
Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.
No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.
6. No linking to piracy
Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.
We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.
Authorized Regular Threads
Related communities
PM a mod to add your own
Video games
Generic
- !gaming@Lemmy.world: Our sister community, focused on PC and console gaming. Meme are allowed.
- !photomode@feddit.uk: For all your screenshots needs, to share your love for games graphics.
- !vgmusic@lemmy.world: A community to share your love for video games music
Help and suggestions
By platform
By type
- !AutomationGames@lemmy.zip
- !Incremental_Games@incremental.social
- !LifeSimulation@lemmy.world
- !CityBuilders@sh.itjust.works
- !CozyGames@Lemmy.world
- !CRPG@lemmy.world
- !horror_games@piefed.world
- !OtomeGames@ani.social
- !Shmups@lemmus.org
- !space_games@piefed.world
- !strategy_games@piefed.world
- !turnbasedstrategy@piefed.world
- !tycoon@lemmy.world
- !VisualNovels@ani.social
By games
- !Baldurs_Gate_3@lemmy.world
- !Cities_Skylines@lemmy.world
- !CassetteBeasts@Lemmy.world
- !Fallout@lemmy.world
- !FinalFantasyXIV@lemmy.world
- !Minecraft@Lemmy.world
- !NoMansSky@lemmy.world
- !Palia@Lemmy.world
- !Pokemon@lemm.ee
- !Silksong@indie-ver.se
- !Skyrim@lemmy.world
- !StardewValley@lemm.ee
- !Subnautica2@Lemmy.world
- !WorkersAndResources@lemmy.world
Language specific
- !JeuxVideo@jlai.lu: French
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Perhaps a privileged take but I'd be completely willing to pay way more for games with no micro transactions or other "live service" BS. Like if economics make it so that it doesn't make sense to sell most high budget games for $70 without micro transactions then sell me one at $100. Video games were way more expensive when I was a kid and prices haven't risen with inflation at all. Consider that Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time retailed for $59.99 in 1998 while Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom cost $69.99 in 2023. That is a 16.7% increase over 25 years, or an average increase of 0.619% each year. Meanwhile, average CPI inflation is usually ~2% per year.
Too bad companies seek exponential profit due to line having to go up, so pricing games higher wouldn't lead to killing off microtransactions even if priced at $200.
Companies don't hit a point where they go this is enough money. They became companies because their mentality is this isn't enough, and its only the a mount consumers are willing to pay that keeps price from inflating more like companies want.
load more comments
(5 replies)
Final Fantasy 7 Remake on Switch 2 is only 40 Euros / Dollars instead the full price, because the game is on a Game Key card and not on cart. It is digital only, therefore they give you a discount on price. But why don't they do that with all digital only games? Also for other stores like Steam?
In Nintendo world, games are generally more expensive in the online store compared to physical cartridges, at least that was the case when I bought my games
But that's not what I am saying? SquareEnix made the game on release cheaper, because it is on a Game Key card and therefore cheap to produce. It's only 40 compared to all other stores like Steam, that launched with 80 Euros. My complain is, why don't they make digital only games cheaper in general, all games and all stores compared to their physical counter part. (I know why, it's not a real question I ask.)
There are plenty of cheaper games out there. Go on whatever virtual store and check out current sales, and simple games made by small studios.
Cult of the Lamb, Spiritfarer, My Time at Portia, The Last Campfire, Arise: A Simple Story and What Remains of Edith Finch are all worth checking out.
Bring back rentals
Don’t microslop and friends peddle some game pass and similar subscriptions? Game rental with extra steps.
Subscriptions =/= Rental
Is it really that different though?
Lets say you get the 1 month pass, play any games you want and are part of that “service” for the duration, once it runs out you lose access to the games (unless you crack the downloaded files for them which would be like not returning the “rented” game I guess)
Personally just feels like the same scam cable tv was and now transforming into streaming services with ads.
The difference is I got to choose the game I rented and the duration, not some preselected list of which 95% of it I am never going to touch.
Remember Gamefly?
Gamepass wasn't a bad idea, and it was actually pretty cool when it first came out. It was basically Microsoft's Gamefly.
I think the last game I paid full price for was the MGS Collection for PC. Otherwise it's waiting for sales, usually 75-80% off original price then I buy.