Gearing Up for an MLB Price War

It looks like sports gamers may benefit from another price war this year, this time in the baseball genre. As we report in our news story, the price of EA's latest (and final) baseball effort--MVP 2005--is expected to be $29.99; while rumors have MLB 2K5 (Take-Two's newly ESPN-less MLB game) selling for $19.99, in keeping with last year's crop of 2K sports titles. The only first party player to officially confirm the retail price of their baseball title is 989 Sports, whose MLB 2006 will be available for $39.99. Nintendo's Pennant Chase Baseball is still listed as a $49.99 title but if they hope to have a chance of competing with MVP 2005--also scheduled for a GameCube release--they'll bring that price down quickly.

Some industry analysts have questioned the long-term viability of Take-Two's lowered sports price point. In a way, Take-Two has dug their own pricing hole after last year. I doubt gamers would take it very kindly if they upped the price of MLB 2K5, regardless of the game's quality; especially with other well-known baseball properties at or around the same price.

How big a role will price play into your MLB-game purchasing decision this year?