Ubisoft confirms it plans to price next-gen video games released in 2020, leaving the door open for price changes in 2021.
Today, Ubisoft confirmed that its next-gen console release for fall 2020 will be priced at $60. During an official financial earnings call question and answer session on Wednesday morning, they confirmed their starting next-gen price point. Ubisoft specifically said that next-gen games released this fall will be the same as current-gen games, which is $59.99.
The question was prompted by the recent confirmation that 2K Games will charge $60, but $70, for the next-gen version of NBA 2K21. NBA 2K21 is the only game announced at a $69.99 price point. Ubisoft was notably unwilling to commit to a $60 price point beyond fall 2020.
Ubisoft responded, “We are concentrating on the Christmas releases,” when asked directly about the possibility of raising the price of next-gen games released in 2021. Due to Microsoft and Sony’s efforts to transition current-generation gamers to the next-generation, there’s some worry that Ubisoft, as well as other publishers, is only tied to the $60 price tag.
Xbox has Smart Delivery, which will allow those who purchase current-gen games to play on next-generation hardware. Sony has a similar effort but didn’t give it branding. Ubisoft is supporting this with Far Cry 6, Watch Dogs Legion, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, making it hard to justify raising the price for those games’ next-gen releases. However, prices may rise when Ubisoft stops supporting the current generation of consoles.
It’s also entirely possible that Ubisoft and other publishers plan to stay at the $60 price tag regardless. If NBA 2K21 still sells well and fans don’t start a controversy over it, other publishers may be more included to follow suit- Ubisoft included. Through the summer, this story is certain to continue to be interesting as next-gen consoles launch.
