Over the years, video games have gone from something people buy once, enjoy, and see as something innovative for the future of entertainment. Being someone who has played and spent a fair share of money on these virtual forms of entertainment has caused me to realize just how expensive they’ve become.
Not only have game prices gone up but so has the abundance of downloadable content (DLC) and other add-ons. What was once $60 for an entire game with hours of play has become $70 for a base game, and if you want the full experience, you might have to spend an additional $30–$50 on DLC or a season or battle pass. Many companies now sell what feels like incomplete games, locking storylines, characters, or features behind extra paywalls. It’s no longer about giving people a full fun game; it’s about these companies squeezing as much money out of the consumers as possible.
For example, companies like Nintendo, EA, etc. have all had an increase in game prices. For example, Nintendo added a DLC to their newest Pokémon game, “Pokémon Legends Z-A,” before it was even released. Another company guilty of this, EA, has their countless “Madden” games which are just the same games with slightly better and more realistic graphics and “The Sims 4” with 18 $40 expansion packs added to a decade old video game.
What’s worse is that many companies justify these increases by claiming that production costs are higher, but they also make record-breaking profits every year. Gamers are left with unfinished content while corporate executives are given all the wealth. Even after paying full price, players still face bugs, unfinished games, and the constant reminder to upgrade or buy more content.
Video games used to be about creativity, challenge, community, and something people could enjoy together without worrying too much about funds. Now, the industry feels more focused on squeezing every dollar from players than delivering the best experience possible. It’s frustrating to see how something that once brought joy and innovation has been overtaken by corporate greed.
