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EA Confirms $39 Price Point For Current-Gen Releases
by Simon Carless [PC, Console/PC]
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February 21, 2006
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Following yesterday's announcement that the current-gen (PlayStation 2 and Xbox) versions of its flagship boxing title Fight Night Round 3 would debut for $39.95 in the North American market, compared to $59.95 for the Xbox 360 version, an Electronic Arts spokesperson has confirmed to Reuters that high-budget titles Black and The Godfather will debut at that same current-gen price point.
EA spokesperson Jeff Brown commented to Reuters: "$39 is resonating with consumers given the transition. There are indications that $39 is a solid and sustainable price point." Brown also particularly cited the recent price drop for current-gen SKUs of racing Need for Speed Most Wanted and subsequent sales stabilization. Traditionally, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube titles have retailed at $49 in North America.
However, Criterion's 'gun porn' shooter Black, which is due to debut on February 28th, has no announced next-gen counterpart to provide any price contrast, and the Xbox 360 version of the crucially important The Godfather is due to debut later this year, presumably at $59, following the March 14th launch of the current-gen versions of the title for $39.
EA's announcement follows clear demand problems for current-gen titles over the holiday period, and recently disappointing financial results, alongside a 5% reduction in the firm's staff, as it and other major publishers fight reduced current-gen game demand and a lack of supply of the sole launched next-gen hardware, Microsoft's Xbox 360.
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