Evelyn Pierce, Graphics Manager / The Bucknellian
From the exhilarating lights and sounds of the arcade, to the cozy comfort of the GameCube, to the sweaty matches of Wii Sports, to the adrenaline-pumping marathons of Black Ops 2 Zombies on Xbox 360, and now the fun with friends. Satisfy me with PlayStation. Our generation has truly witnessed the evolution of video games and consoles from a unique perspective. But you know what frustrates me as I try my best to stick to a budget while attending this insanely expensive institution? The ever-increasing cost of video games.
Sure, I understand that prices go up with inflation, but the sudden increase in gaming costs feels disproportionate. In the UK, for example, the average amount spent on a single video game increased by 6.7% last year. Physical copies currently cost around £36.47 (approx. $43 USD), while digital downloads cost an average of £15.19 (approx. $18 USD). And it’s no wonder so many gamers, myself included, get frustrated when the latest and most popular titles reach $70.
It’s important to realize that a lot of effort and financial investment goes into developing video games. Our team of talented individuals spend countless hours creating immersive worlds, fine-tuning gameplay mechanics, and pushing the limits of technology. However, despite this significant investment, it often feels like the benefits of their efforts are not being fully passed on to consumers. Instead, publishers seem to be prioritizing maximizing profits even at the expense of player satisfaction.
It’s understandable that companies need to make profits to survive, but there’s a growing sense among gamers that they’re falling short. The disconnect between the resources poured into game development and the price and quality of the final product is a source of frustration for many players. I recognize the value of supporting the gaming industry and its creative endeavors, but I’m disappointed when that support feels one-sided and with little regard for the consumer experience.
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The latest and most popular games, including The Legend of Zelda, FIFA, COD MW2, God of War, and Horizon Forbidden West, all have an average price of around a whopping $70. Frankly, it’s mind-boggling. As a student, I already don’t have much time to just sit and relax and have very few opportunities to enjoy games. Coupled with this price point, I find myself drawn to random solo adventure games and the competitive thrills of Rocket League (I’m determined to be one of those guys who’s good at that). Even indie games, which I see as budget-friendly alternatives, are not immune to the industry’s profit-driven strategies. Daily login rewards, loot boxes, and DLC micro-purchases pervade the gaming world, extracting more from players with every transaction. China’s recent steps to ban certain monetization tactics in gaming, including those mentioned above, speak volumes about the industry’s priorities.
It’s unfortunate to admit, but despite the amount of effort that goes into game development, the end result often feels like a bad deal to the consumer. High prices rarely match the quality of the product, especially when you consider franchises like Call of Duty, FIFA, and NBA 2K. Each new iteration promises gameplay improvements, but ultimately offers little more than cosmetic changes. Recent price fluctuations have only added to the frustration, with the PS5 costing around $800 at one point and then dropping.
Take, for example, the decline of the Battlefield series. Once a formidable rival to Call of Duty, Battlefield’s decline can be attributed to a rushed release and an unfinished product. FIFA is also a victim of its own success, ignoring community feedback and churning out annual releases that offer little innovation.
Annual games like NBA 2K22, 2K23, and 2K24 feel more like updates than real installments, but people still buy them at full price.
“Video games are becoming an increasingly expensive hobby, and essentially all you get is repetitive, expensive games that exploit you,” said Farhaji Shahid ’26.
I hate to seem like someone stuck in the past, but I also have a nostalgic longing for a time when video games felt fresh and innovative. These days, we seem to be stuck in a cycle of soaring prices and regurgitated content for products that often don’t deliver on their promises. In the future, we hope that game developers will find a balance between quality and affordability, allowing gamers to once again experience the excitement and satisfaction of a well-crafted gaming experience without breaking the bank. hoping.
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