EA Aussie exec: next-gen games to come cheaper?

Perhaps the analysis presented in this article, that next-gen game prices are due for a cut, was right, and that EA’s move to slash ten off some of their 360 titles is only the beginning. Maybe. Talking to the Australian paper The Age, EA Aussie General Manager Ryan Jones predicts significant growth for the games industry in 2007, and that “we do see next-gen pricing drifting down to $99 by the end of the calendar year for all premium new releases.”

99 bucks? That’s Australian dollars, people, which amounts to around seventy-eight, seventy-nine greenbacks as of today? Okay, games Down Under aren’t exactly down under in price. Perhaps one of our Australian readers can enlighten us on the average cost of next-gen games there. But here’s a potentially better perspective: Pro Evolution Soccer 6‘s going for AU$ 111.65 at gamehead.com.au – and that’s after discount (Game prices vary widely in that site, though. Again, if any of our readers from Oz can help, you’re just one Comment away…).

We wonder if Mr. Jones’ opinion applies to certain territories, say, north of the Equator, or if he was just talking about Australia in his comments. He justified his comments by saying that he believes the “transition to next-gen” phase is over. It would be very interesting if other publishers concur with his statement, and if he is also willing to bet the same for markets around the world (not that EA cut any pounds out for England, though). Of course, the only precedent we have is EA cutting ten American dollars off of some of their EA Sports titles.

Some Aussie readers of The Age aren’t exactly convinced either, or they must be wondering what we might be putting in the water here. We also choose to be skeptical until the press release. Still, there’s a certain porcelain piggy that has been crying for relief.

Perhaps the analysis presented in this article, that next-gen game prices are due for a cut, was right, and that EA’s move to slash ten off some of their 360 titles is only the beginning. Maybe. Talking to the Australian paper The Age, EA Aussie General Manager Ryan Jones predicts significant growth for the games industry in 2007, and that “we do see next-gen pricing drifting down to $99 by the end of the calendar year for all premium new releases.”

99 bucks? That’s Australian dollars, people, which amounts to around seventy-eight, seventy-nine greenbacks as of today? Okay, games Down Under aren’t exactly down under in price. Perhaps one of our Australian readers can enlighten us on the average cost of next-gen games there. But here’s a potentially better perspective: Pro Evolution Soccer 6‘s going for AU$ 111.65 at gamehead.com.au – and that’s after discount (Game prices vary widely in that site, though. Again, if any of our readers from Oz can help, you’re just one Comment away…).

We wonder if Mr. Jones’ opinion applies to certain territories, say, north of the Equator, or if he was just talking about Australia in his comments. He justified his comments by saying that he believes the “transition to next-gen” phase is over. It would be very interesting if other publishers concur with his statement, and if he is also willing to bet the same for markets around the world (not that EA cut any pounds out for England, though). Of course, the only precedent we have is EA cutting ten American dollars off of some of their EA Sports titles.

Some Aussie readers of The Age aren’t exactly convinced either, or they must be wondering what we might be putting in the water here. We also choose to be skeptical until the press release. Still, there’s a certain porcelain piggy that has been crying for relief.