In a recent financial call that's sure to bring relief to gamers everywhere, EA has made it clear that it won't be following the trend of raising game prices. While companies like Microsoft and Nintendo have moved to charge up to $80 for their latest offerings, EA's CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the company's commitment to delivering "incredible quality and exponential value" to its playerbase. This dedication to value is evident in the success of their co-op adventure Split Fiction, which has now sold an impressive 4 million copies.
Wilson highlighted the evolution of the gaming industry over the past decade. "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, it’s a significantly smaller part of our business," he noted. Today, EA's pricing model spans from free-to-play games to deluxe editions, reflecting a diverse and flexible approach to meeting player needs. "Whether we're doing something that costs a dollar, or we're doing something that costs $10, or we're doing something that costs $100, our objective is always to deliver incredible quality and exponential value for our playerbase," Wilson affirmed. He believes that when quality and value align, EA's business remains robust, resilient, and poised for growth.
Echoing Wilson's sentiments, CFO Stuart Canfield added, "From a guidance perspective [...] we have reflected no changes in our current [pricing] strategy at this point." This firm stance on pricing will likely be welcomed by gamers, especially in light of Microsoft's recent announcement to raise Xbox prices, including controllers, headsets, and some games. The new pricing for Xbox consoles and accessories is already in effect, and while current game prices remain unchanged, Microsoft plans to charge $79.99 for new, first-party titles around the holiday season.
This move by Microsoft follows a broader trend in AAA gaming, where prices have increased from $60 to $70 over the last five years. Nintendo has also joined this trend, setting a $80 price tag 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, though analysts argue it's inevitable given current economic conditions.
Given EA's current stance, fans can expect the next releases in the EA Sports FC, Madden, and Battlefield series to maintain the standard $70 price point. However, it's worth noting that last week, EA made cuts at Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment, affecting around 100 jobs, with broader layoffs impacting about 300 individuals across the organization.
