Capcom has taken a significant step with the pricing of their highly anticipated sequel, Dragon's Dogma 2, which is set to launch on March 22. The game is listed with a $70 price tag, marking it as Capcom's introductory title to the new standard price point. This increase reflects a broader industry trend where publishers have been shifting from the $60 to the $70 retail price for new games on platforms such as PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The justification for the hike is often associated with the rising costs in game development and workforce wages. Capcom notably increased employees’ salaries by 30% last year, amidst industry-wide financial restructurings and layoffs. Despite the higher price at launch, Capcom is known to offer substantial sales post-release, a practice that could ease gamers' concerns about affordability. Dragon's Dogma 2 promises impressive gameplay and challenging combat, encouraging fans not to miss out on the experience. With its release positioned at the close of the financial year, the sequel is likely to make a notable impact on Capcom's annual performance.

Why has the price of video games like Dragon's Dogma 2 increased to $70?

The price of video games, including Dragon's Dogma 2, has increased to $70 primarily due to the escalating costs of game development and the need to provide competitive salaries for the workforce. With the advent of new console generations like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the standard pricing for AAA games has been gradually adjusting to account for these factors.