Activision exec prices PS3 games

CEO says all of the company's games for Sony's new console will fetch $60 at first; reveals Spider-Man 3's $35 million price tag.

The price of next-gen console games was a hot issue last year when the bulk of Xbox 360 launch titles carried a $60 price tag. This week, Activision CEO Robert Kotick confirmed what many gamers already expected or even assumed: The company's PlayStation 3 games will retail for roughly $60.

In a presentation to the Merrill Lynch Media and Entertainment Conference yesterday, Kotick indicated that the company is taking a next-gen pricing approach to its next-gen software, thanks in part to its success with pricing PlayStation Portable games at $50 and Xbox 360 software, like the best-selling Call of Duty 2, at $60.

"We have not seen a lot of consumer resistance at the higher price points, and we expect that all of our next-generation products will be launched at $60 price points," Kotick said.

On the surface that would suggest $60 Wii games from the company, but an Activision representative confirmed for GameSpot that Kotick was referring only to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 games. In fact, the publisher's Activision Value label is already preparing a pair of Wii launch titles: Rapala Tournament Fishing and World Series of Poker.

Since the Xbox 360 launched last year, some publishers have defended the $59.99 standard price for next-gen releases by citing the increased development costs associated with the new platforms. While Kotick did not bring the example up specifically in relation to the company's pricing strategy for games, he did mention that Spider-Man 3 has cost the company more than $35 million to develop on all formats. He did not specify on which consoles the game would appear.

"That is the most expensive product that we've created, and for good reason," Kotick said. "You'll see how much it really takes advantage of the assets and the capabilities of the hardware."

257 Comments

  • racerx737

    Posted Apr 12, 2007 9:43 pm PT

    yeah $60 is the absolute limit I'm willing to spend for a game unless it's a Collector's Edition that has some awesome stuff in it

  • chezy123

    Posted Feb 17, 2007 3:06 pm PT

    If you can't afford a 60$ to 100$ game, you have come to the wrong place. PS3 's are expensive, 1080P HD TV's are expensive. What do you think this stuff is free. You can't pay for a pony and expect to get a stallion, that's just not the way things work!!!!!!

  • tarazi

    Posted Feb 16, 2007 4:16 am PT

    SPIDERMAN3 not looks like but it will be a different spidey game ever made ...sure to be a hell of a fantastic game to have on XBOX360 ..imagine how the graphics will be .ummm

  • caseypayne69

    Posted Feb 15, 2007 3:52 am PT

    Vorador47, thats just because the value of money in UK is stronger then the US. Take advantage of it and sale stuff to the US and get a profit and Foreign Currency gain. I hope the game is cool and the put money into it were it counts.

  • Vorador47

    Posted Jan 16, 2007 7:06 am PT

    think yourselves lucky, here in the rip off UK, 360 games retail at £50, thats $98

    and the 360 pro pack retails at £300 which is $589

  • s0ild_snake

    Posted Jan 15, 2007 5:49 am PT

    it will great

  • kirby456

    Posted Jan 5, 2007 12:26 pm PT

    This is exactly why I'm getting the Wii. I'm surprised that one game for PS3 or Xbox 360 would cost $60 dollars. Some people really can't afford games at that price point. I can buy games that are 19.99, 39.99, 29.99, even 49.99, but 59.99, i'd just wait for the price to drop until then.

  • cesar_ps4

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 10:16 pm PT

    In my country, $60 is actually a lot for a game.. I bought the 360 about 4 months ago, and I haven't had the opportunity to buy any game; I have priorities and $60 can be spent in things more important, let's say, like clothes. I really love games, and I've survived with borrowed games and Xbox Live Arcade games. They should follow Nintendo's example and cut the games' price to a more affordable one...

  • amaranth_aeon

    Posted Sep 19, 2006 7:35 am PT

    I wouldn't be surprised if PS3 games hit 80 euros or more in Europe. Games like MGS4 or FFXIII will most certainly cost more than 80 euros (I remember FFX for the PS2 cost 70, i.e. 10 more than the usual price for PS2 games at the time).

    Some 360 games (most, actually) already retail for 70 euros.
    And Americans complain that $60 (47 euros) is too high a price? How does $85 sound? Because that's what we have to pay...

    Used games are more and more the way to go.

  • ninjajuggalo810

    Posted Sep 18, 2006 10:03 pm PT

    casinater
    ha wii games will be cheaper


    says who noone has reported thrid party game prices for wii only nintendo has released their prices which are $50 and are normally less than third party

  • rarson

    Posted Sep 18, 2006 5:10 pm PT

    And Neo Geo games were anywhere from two to eight hundred dollars new, so sure, let's all spend a hundred bucks on games.

    I personally think $60 is a bit expensive given the quality of an average game today. But I'll just stay a year or two behind as always, and just keep paying $20 or less for my games.

  • whitewizardcody

    Posted Sep 18, 2006 1:50 pm PT

    I hope Sony realizes that anything more than $60.00 for a game is simply to much.

  • Relik86

    Posted Sep 18, 2006 6:34 am PT

    If I'm not mistaken, when Donkey Kong Country 3 came out for SNES, I saw it new for $89.99... this is nothing.

  • kenerhai

    Posted Sep 17, 2006 8:09 pm PT

    for a brand new tittle ive been dying to play since ive heard about it, i can pay 60 bones. but for games that i dont like that price that i can live without for a couple months, then one need only play the waiting game. the industry always rewards those with patience. games lower in price eventually and as they become more available less wanted then they become nice little used titles at my local gamestop. games become greatest hits or platinum or players choice. and the real big tittles more often than not get released again with new content. so i dont really ever have a big deal with most prices.

  • coolcon2000

    Posted Sep 17, 2006 12:36 pm PT

    The PS3 is going to be a good console, just remember about prices of consoles games ages ago match the PS3 game prices.

  • MaddDawg32

    Posted Sep 17, 2006 9:50 am PT

    Yeah, and I also remember when Nintendo games came out brand new at $50.00. So people really do need to lighten up.

  • Zinimus

    Posted Sep 17, 2006 2:46 am PT

    I don't if you guys are old enough to remember when Genesis games were $69.99 brand new. This was about 10 years ago. Adjust for inflation and tell me it's a big deal. You people who whine about $60 price tags are ridiculous.

  • Kenshin100

    Posted Sep 16, 2006 11:56 pm PT

    i dont know about that

  • casinater

    Posted Sep 16, 2006 5:15 pm PT

    ha wii games will be cheaper

  • Meshete450

    Posted Sep 16, 2006 8:29 am PT

    Thats what i believe kane04

  • Kane04

    Posted Sep 16, 2006 6:57 am PT

    60 us dollars is about 76 euros, is more 11 euros than games today, i can't say its cheap, but if we count that the games will come in blu-ray and the production cost of ps3 games are higher (cus it will take more people and more resorces) i can't say its expencive, if the price stays that way i don't think it will be a problem. and if someone think is too much, wait from them to get platinum.

  • bitedcurbnow

    Posted Sep 16, 2006 1:50 am PT

    This is great news for gamers. A small bump from $50 to $60 is pretty minimal.

  • maaly81

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 9:48 pm PT

    I guess-- the system is still gonna cost close to $1000 if you get the best version plus games and all. I fiugre the "AT FIRST" reference means that PS3 games wont be $60 forever, but the will probably go up. And this sound like their personal assumptions for their company only also. Just wait and see.

  • Bren128

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 7:06 pm PT

    Oh my god! The 360 fans were wrong when they said PS3 games would be 70-80 bucks!!! imagine that!

  • TylerDFC

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 2:26 pm PT

    I very rarely buy games new so this isn't that big a deal to me. I either buy used (I know, I'm evil) or wait until the price drops. I Picked up Gun for PS2 for $10 today at Target, Indigo Prophecy for $7 and Half-Life 2 for $10 at Circuit City a couple weeks ago, SSX On Tour for $5 at Blockbuster (new), etc. I'm at the point where I literally have games lining up on the shelf because I don't have time to play them but when I see a good deal I grab another one.

    If you're willing to wait you can get incredible deals on good games. Or even average games. At $5 does it really matter? In some cases when a developer is really making an effort to deliver something original and fun I will pay full price. I picked up Guitar Hero, Psychonauts, and Beyond Good and Evil at full price. But Activision charging $60 for Spider-Man 3? Don't think so. Even if I DO have a PS3 and/or 360 by then I'm just not shelling out for it. What are the chances it will be that great anyway? The other 2 were good, not great. And 2 got repetitve way too quickly. How about webslinging on the Wii with the wiimote? THAT would be fun.

  • xatman911

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 12:51 pm PT

    How much will that be in Pound. Still it doesnt matter with a poor guy like me. 4 years waiting to get enouggh cash to buy PS3 using pocket money, lol, (while trying best not to spend it on food) Than waiting like 1 year for a game price to go down like I did it with Prince of Persia Sand os time + its series. I bought each prince of persia game a year after its release and saved £75 in total cuz in a year there price dropped from £37.99 to £4.99 pre-owned. Muhahaha, me and my great saving + tips.

  • AndrewFleury

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 10:19 am PT

    I don't get why people complain so much about the price of a console game. If you compare it to most other forms of entertainment it's a bargain !

    1-2 hour entertainment - Seeing a movie at the movie theater cost anywhere between 12-20 $ depending if you hit the concession stands

    Reading a newly released novel at 25-35$ for hard cover..for hours of entertainement.

    Buying a DVD movie for 20 bucks...1-2 hours. + special features

    Console game 60 $... big deal .. I have some games I've owned for over a year and I still play them....

    How many times can you possibly watch the lord of the rings trilogy or read that new Harry Potter book

    Get a job ! and buy your games used off ebay

  • rocklee111

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 9:58 am PT

    lol people that are getting the ps3 probaly dont care about price ( lol all i ever hear from them is " come one people this is america and every one pays high prices for every thing ) >_> all ps3 is, is flash ( in my opinion ) ..... o well if nothing els its a cheep blue ray player

  • atomD21

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 4:43 am PT

    Has anyone else noticed that the "Activision Value" line should actually be called the "Activision Shovelware" line? Fishing and poker? come on.

  • NinjaFoot

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 4:33 am PT

    $35 million.....Ouch. Sounds like somebody needs to streamline operations a tad.

  • walter09

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 11:00 pm PT

    >chikahiro94

    I agree with you ... your statement about how we as buyers just see what's outside of the box is true. Let's forget about PS3 and 360 for a long while and let's go for Wii. Hopefully with Wii will get a great console, great games, and all at a very afforable price.

  • Daveiops

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 5:57 pm PT

    ok $60 is like 31pounnds in d UK.i doubt it wld dat cheap.probably around 50 pounds since dese companies expliot europe ( high cost of ps3 dan US n Jap) etc.

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 5:36 pm PT

    vamroc reason why some games cost $74.99 was because they had more memory in those carts. The BD disc are all going to have the same amount of memory, so it a good chance that all the games will average 59.99 like 360.

  • cmontyx49

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 4:14 pm PT

    damagooon-
    Now its simple, What do YOU rather a $60 dvd ir a $60 bd?

    hmmm so we get the option of a next gen format at the same price...

    I wonder who is REALLY ripping consumers off? --

    You guys have to realize, you aren't paying for the disc, but the programming located on the disc, which happens to be harder on both the 360 and the PS3.

    Using your logic, the Lord of War Blue-Ray I saw yesterday should have been 15 dollars yesterday instead of 30.

  • fanboy999

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 4:12 pm PT

    Maybe thay'd sell more copies of a game if it was $50 or less. And then they'd make more money. It's higher price points that make people want to pirate games. Don't the game companies get this? Personally I can wait to buy a used copy of a game 99% of the time. or just wait 6 months to a year and the game is usually half off. Only big releases like Halo 3 will see my $60.

  • vamroc

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 3:56 pm PT

    I don't think some of you get it. There will be games for the PS3 that indeed cost $80 and games that cost $60. Remember when Nintendo charged 74.99 for Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo.

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 3:54 pm PT

    @walter09
    The problem is that eye-candy gets you noticed. You can't tell a game is fun just looking at it. So, graphics help you stand out in a very saturated game market. It's rough, its terrible, but if you took two games of the same genre (one with really good graphics, one that's meh-looking), put them side-by-side on a shelf, and showed them to people who knew nothing about them, chances are that the better looking one will be picked 90% of the time. It won't matter if the less-pretty one is the better game by far, because there's no way to tell.

    I do agree that Nintendo is doing a good thing. PS2/XB/GC/DC era graphics really are "good enough" for most games and most people, and are cheaper for developers to produce. And for the Wii's chosen market, that's wonderful. Let the hardcore get the PS3 and 360 - they're great systems and they'll get a lot of enjoyment from them. People like me are at the point in our lives when the Wii will do just as well

  • reece590

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 3:53 pm PT

    I think the rest are going to be more!

  • elohimfetus

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 3:28 pm PT

    This was expected, and all the absolutely ignorant people who proclaimed the games would cost $90-$100 should be banned from ever writing another gamming article or post. $60-$70 is not too much for next-gen titles early on in the lifecycle of a new system.

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 2:55 pm PT

    Well of course they are $60 all of activisions games are cross platform. I cant wait to see if there is going to be any difference in the look of the games. My bet is no for at least the first year, untill they figure out how to get the most from the ps3, but by then the 360 games will be on the 3rd or 4th generation look. You folks have got to break down and buy all the systems because eventually there will be dozens of must play titles across all three platforms

  • mattbyrnes

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 2:54 pm PT

    DVD was an old technology when PS2 hit the market. Their were already millions of DVDs produced that helped bring down the cost of the disc. Blu-Ray is brand new and the disc is expensive. Their aren't 50 movies released on BRD yet. I would expect some companies to charge $65+ for PS3 games.

  • superkoolstud

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 2:47 pm PT

    Activision games will be $60 but all other PS3 games will be more according to Crazy Kaz who stated they would be a bit more (Im thinking $65). We all know Some games come out at 39.99 some at 49.99 some at 59.99. Well some PS3 games are going to be more then 59.99 keyword some.

  • HuhJustaBox

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 2:23 pm PT

    Man you still have people saying that PS3 games will be $80!!! I guess they cannot read. Activision just stated that all their games will be $60. Sure it is not official from Sony on all games--but if one 3rd party dev is charging that then that pretty much means they all will. I don't see any third party games for the 360 costing $80--they are all at $60 with a few exceptions like Table Tennis.

    So finally PS3 games appear to be set at $60. Also everyone screams that blu-ray will drive up the cost. How about NOOOO! There were DVD PS2 games when launched and they all cost the same as the games on CD. The disks are not as expensive as many people believe. Most people see that one blu-ray disc that is readwritable is around $20 and says, "See DVDs only cost a few cents while blu-ray is $20 more so then games will be $20 more." Wrongo!!!! That $20 disc is to joe customer--not to the devs who purchase hundreds of thousands to millions and also Sony will likely give them a discount on top of that due to them wanting their games to compete on the market.

    So to all of the Sony haters--how come it costs $60 for a DVD based game and it will now cost $60 for a BD based game? Hmmm, how can that happen because you have all been screaming from the pulpits that blu-ray is being jammed down our throats--yet it will cost the same as a DVD based game? How can this be??????

  • SpookyX

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    I truly believe that if they were to bring down prices of games they would become more mainstream thereby selling more product. Its the development cost that is high not the production of discs so it stands to reason that they could make up there development cost by selling more for less. They were bringing gaming out of the niche markets but these prices in this economy is going to scare those not addicted to games away.

  • mattnrob

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 1:58 pm PT

    before everyone claims price gouging and ripping off is going on just remember that 20 years ago video games for the NES cost anywhere from $40 to $70 bucks!! Add inflation and your talking a hundred dollars a game....just a thought. Calm down guys most of you don't work for your gaming fix anyways.

  • starcher5150

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 1:33 pm PT

    Sony still sucks! 360 rules. No just kidding. Good for Sony. I will probably get one to go along with my 360 and Wii.

  • G-Legend

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 1:03 pm PT

    Woot good news I knew the price would be roughly the same as 360!

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