File Under 'Unsurprising'

Enjoy the $20 price tag for ESPN sports titles while it lasts, because all signs point to a return to "premium" pricing when the next generation of consoles hit stores. As we point out in our news story, Take Two execs are stating that the $50 price tag is a distinct possibility for PS3 and Xbox 2 sports titles. Whether a price hike of any sort will happen on any of this generation's forthcoming ESPN releases remains to be seen. As Take-Two president Paul Eibeler said, "I think we have the opportunity to, I’m not sure."

Retreating from the bold $20 price point for the remaining PS2 and Xbox ESPN sports titles seems like an odd tact, especially in light of all the positive press generated by the move in the first place. What was initially seen as a concessionary step to the dominance of EA Sports has since been heralded as a brilliant business maneuver designed to get the ESPN line of sports titles in as many hands as possible. It's an experiment that worked wonders in 2004. Wouldn't it be a shame to see it only last one year?