Will Video Games Topple $100 Apiece Before 2023?

As developers continue to surpass quality expectations and deliver top-tier games, the price tags that mesh with each one unfortunately drives even steeper, leaving us to question the likelihood of them eventually breaking the $100 threshold.

According to a recent Steam listing of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which is now open for pre-order, the game will go live for $69.99, making it the first PC game to smash the high-end part of the pricing scale. And unfortunately, that's only the base game. The digital deluxe editions, on the other hand, will set buyers back by $95.

Of course, with higher quality comes harsher production schedules, so larger price tags don't seem all that unfair, to be honest. And although there is a rather strong divide over the gradual increase in prices, players are still content with supporting the teams that contribute to the overall growth of the industry. How long it will be before prices go beyond the triple-digit scale is another question, though one that will likely have an answer in a matter of years.

Handouts to hundreds

Once upon a time, it wasn't all that uncommon to find a game that would cost you a few cents to play. Arcade games introduced quarters, and before long, top-shelf brands rolled out higher quality games with lofty tags to support them. And now, as we stare down the barrel of 2022, we're blessed with some of the most powerful pieces of entertainment in the world. The only setback, of course, is the eye-watering costs.

Considering a new PS5 or Xbox Series X will cost you $600, it's definitely an eye-opener, knowing that only six games could eventually sit on par with a next-gen console. But it is what it is, and unfortunately, it is likely that we'll see $100 base games before the fall of 2023.

So, what do you make of the current state of video game prices? Are you happy to fork out $100 per release? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.