“Godfather” Of The PlayStation On Rising Prices: “This Calculation Doesn’t Add Up”

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Though Nintendo previously announced an increase in prices for the upcoming Switch 2 and Microsoft has since matched this move by raising prices for their Xbox and related accessories, it’s clear that the frustration within the gaming community about escalating costs hasn’t reached its boiling point just yet.

Currently, Shuhei Yoshida, who is famously known as the “Godfather of PlayStation”, has shared some insights during a conversation with PlayStation Inside. These comments have been met with both understanding and criticism.

It’s About Time

As a gamer myself, I’m less concerned about if these price changes will happen, but rather when. Frankly, I think the clamor for lower prices wasn’t backed up by solid evidence. But I get it, finding funds for such projects in our current economic climate can be challenging.

We live in contradictory times: inflation is real and tangible. Yet at the same time, people expect games to become ever more ambitious – and therefore more expensive to develop – but still cost the same as before. This calculation simply doesn’t add up.

Remakes & The Price Balance

Additionally, he touches upon the concept of games-as-a-service and game subscriptions, explaining that they aid in the creation of triple-A games, which are known for their high production costs and complexity. It is somewhat ambiguous whether his comment might be hinting at a possible connection to the successful release of Oblivion: Remastered.

As a dedicated fan, I was taken aback when he revealed that instead of being fueled by our longing for nostalgia, these beloved remakes might be primarily driven by their cost-effectiveness. What’s more, he pointed out that this cost reduction often leads to outsourcing the production to other studios.

The ray of hope: This money could then be further invested in new games.

During the interview, he underscores yet again the importance of striking an equilibrium: Balancing manufacturing expenses with the selling price. Furthermore, he brings up GTA 6 as a unique scenario.

There Is Another Way (And My Two Cents)

In the end, however, he also admits:

You can make excellent games with smaller teams and tighter budgets without compromising on quality.

He cites Clair Obsur Expedition 33 as a remarkable game, despite the fact that just about thirty individuals were involved in its development.

And This Is Where My Criticism Of The Whole Thing Begins:

Based on my personal observations, many gamers prioritize having the latest hardware for a seamless gaming experience rather than consistently demanding higher resolutions and superior graphics across all their games.

I’m ready to spend money if game developers dedicate more effort and funds towards enhancing game optimization, thereby allowing everyone to experience the latest generation of games. And let me tell you, the prospect of Unreal Engine 5 is so exciting, it almost gives me a thrill!

Perhaps it’s because I believe that the top games from recent times prioritize their communities and groundbreaking gameplay above all else. Personally, a game like Inscryption, with its pixel graphics, holds more appeal (and is scarier) for me than the remake of Silent Hill.

Many outstanding games of late haven’t come from the usual industry titans, but instead from smaller studios like Warhorse, who produced Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. What’s interesting is that these games demonstrate that a fantastic game can be born out of passion and not always require grand praise from PR departments.

Do you now have more understanding for the rising prices, or do you still see them as unjustified?

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2025-05-07 18:34