$70 Video Games Won't Be Sustainable Forever, Saber Interactive CEO Says

Like most things in life, video games have become more expensive as the traditional $60 price-tag has given way to a new $70 entry fee to play new games. Sony's first-party PS5 games have transitioned to this price increase, big studios have followed in its footsteps, and even Nintendo has experimented with that MSRP as last year's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was its first $70 game release. But can that MSRP last? Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch has voiced his opinion on the subject, and according to him, charging $70 for a new game won't be sustainable for long as studios look to cut development costs.

"I think that as games become more expensive to make, the $70 title is going to go the way of the dodo," Karch said to IGN. "I just don't think it's sustainable. Look, you remember the hype for Cyberpunk, which I think actually ultimately performed okay, but when the expectations are so high and so much money is put into one title, it's hugely risky for the company that's doing it. I think the market is going to shift to development which is not necessarily lower quality, but there's going to be an emphasis on trying to find ways to reduce costs."

It's worth noting that Saber Interactive's Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 will be a $70 game on release, but Karch explained that he doesn't want to sell the game at that price. For now, the challenge lies in persuading consumers that a lower launch price isn't a sign of poor quality, something that Karch says Helldivers 2 has excelled at. The CEO cited Helldivers 2 as a prime example of a "middle market" game that has performed well and is an example of the direction that he wants Saber Interactive to follow.

Artificial intelligence could potentially help lower production costs and improve quality in the AAA space, according to Karch, but on its own, it's not enough amidst dramatically rising production budgets.

Saber Interactive is also working on the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, which Karch recently said is "alive and well" after the developer parted ways with Embracer Group earlier this month.