[UPDATE] EA CFO: PS4 games may cost $69.99 near launch

[Ixion]

Summary of the conference from NeoGAF:

-They have never been more prepaired or ready for a new console launch
-Giant leap for the industry, every step and function. "Between 8 & 10 times the power of current generation."
-Not limited to current generation "1080p, 60 fps, camera IQ"
-All of internal software will work flawlessly.
-What used to take months will now "take days" to do.
-Seeing new ways to approach current IP's and new IP's.
-The ability to have cross platform play, will open up new consumer base.
-EA has slimmed down their lineup from 85 games to 15 core titles
-Allows stream lining the backbone of game creation
-Sony and Microsoft in-line for their transition will reduce cost of production
-5% to 10% increase in cost of production on current games.
-No pricing on retail games set, but you may see a trend of "$69.99" at start and dropping down to $59.99 similar to the beginning of the current generation.
-Saving time and money in comparison to the roadmap they set up last year.
-Data collected on gamers through created technology and algorithms allow them to engage the players.
-Gross margin as gone from 55% in 2010 to 55-65% range currently.
-Due to the transition into the digital world from boxed gaming.
-Discussed the progression and advantage of the PS4 in regards to downloading games
-Many more opportunities in "always on" connected gaming
-The focus is always focused on the "consumer experience"
-Discussion of margins in regards to digital expansion packs and the margins it drives
-Doing so builds an actual community, and overall over time, more profitability
-Building into all games micro-transaction: "Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business"
-Over $25 Million revenue in micro-transactions alone last quarter.
-Much has been learned on infrastructure in regards to the failed iOs launch of the Simpsons.
-Absence at PS4 reveal is not indicative to their status on the console.
-Between now and E3 you will see a lot of stuff from EA
-Thrilled with the PS4 specs - the new Battlefield is stunning
-Talked about "Gen 4" consoles (PS4/720) and implied comparable power ratio between the two
-"8-10x the power of current gen consoles"
-Implied they will launch very close to each other
-Theorized that initial launch prices for EA games could be $69.99 (if that is what the high end MSRP set by Sony/Microsoft is)
-Will continue to support digital download business, but internet infrastructure globally means retail is hugely important for the foreseeable future
-FIFA 14 definitely coming this year (cross gen title)
-Battlefield 4 looks amazing; implied 1080p/60fps (target for next gen games)
-15 core titles being worked on for next gen

[HellsJester]

I guess the mothereffers at EA just want to raise the standard and make more money, whenever games reach $80-$100 gaming can be declared officially dead.

Console gaming maybe.
A lot of developers who know what gaming should be have flocked to the PC and sure their games arent AAA but you get fun for a reasonable price. Its quite simple yet very hard to fix these things you just gotta convince casual consumers who buy all this shit to not do it anymore and teach them how to be a smart consumer about these matters.

[John25]

They cost close to that much in the UK, if you do not shop around that is.

$69.99 = £46

Game.co.uk want £43 for Crysis 3.

FIFA & COD games usually cost 49 on release hell COD games hover around 44 quid for a long time(even Used cod games cost about the same as new)

[TDbank24]

I wouldn't be happy about $70 games but it would only mean that i'd buy less games.

Oh well, that would probably be a good thing. Then i might be able to move on with my life!

[SHAZZMAZZ]

well ps4 games are going to cost more to make so im just hope sony let use used games.

[RyanGT]

70 bucks? You've got to be kidding...

[TGO]

70 bucks? You've got to be kidding...

Same as before or don't you remember, they'll drop quickly

Sent via Codec

[Bigdoggy]

70 bucks? You've got to be kidding...

It's EA, I wouldn't worry to much about what they say.

[coolguy]

I hope games are not 70 dolars if ea prices these games at this price people wont buy ea games.
Ea has gone down the tubes any ways

[RyanGT]

Same as before or don't you remember, they'll drop quickly

Sent via Codec

I sure hope so.. they better not try and pull a fast one with the prices on new games..

[Sub-stance1]

Do you think it will only happen for the PS4 games? If true? lol muahhahaha.

Yea if it is high like that then I'm getting a bomb ass computer and going steam.

I've been contemplating between next-gen and a high end PC.

I got one last month and i'm already set. If next gen games are too expensive, I still have that. It was expensive but it blows away anything next gen consoles will do, plus the games will be cheaper.

[HellsJester]

-Building into all games micro-transaction: "Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business"
-Over $25 Million revenue in micro-transactions alone last quarter.

[Ixion]

I really enjoy a good micro-transaction!

[Sir_Scud]

Lol, that is one epic gif!

[Shibby]

You can bet your balls that if publishers starts pricing their games at $69.99, they will most definitely NOT eventually lower it back to $59.99.

[Aquanox]

If this happens then be ware that this generation will be won by the first hacked console.

I can't afford 70 bucks a game... heck I buy my originals after months of being out when they're around $40... :s

[ps3freak18]

I really enjoy a good micro-transaction!

You must really enjoy a good micro-raping too. I'm not a fan of micro-transactions if it's not done right. I don't like games that promise you can enjoy a game by playing it for free and earning stuff by just playing but so many out there just don't deliver. One's that do work well at least make it to where you can buy stuff over time but if you really want results you buy. I don't really have a problem with that model.

[D3seeker]

Now what the real reason for this. The fact that is IS new hardware to wrap your noggin around, or the sheer fact that it IS the start of a new console gen, or trying to turn the console gaming thing away into it's own niche market (even though now we've got devs on board because of last gen and the fact that the new hardware IS so close to PC architecture!. EA trying to drive things.......

It's up to Sony and Microsoft (hopefully they don't screw us over)

[ps3freak18]

Now what the real reason for this. The fact that is IS new hardware to wrap your noggin around, or the sheer fact that it IS the start of a new console gen, or trying to turn the console gaming thing away into it's own niche market (even though now we've got devs on board because of last gen and the fact that the new hardware IS so close to PC architecture!. EA trying to drive things.......

It's up to Sony and Microsoft (hopefully they don't screw us over)

I like the sig! That's sexy!

[Lefein]

Apparently there has been a redact and EA is targeting $50-$60 now.

[radgamer420]

Bad news for PS4 games here in the states if that is true. I don't think many people are gonna go for that.

If they charge that much for PS4 games they will charge that much for 720 games too. Count on it. Anyway, I wonder how much for the digital version?

[ps3freak18]

If they charge that much for PS4 games they will charge that much for 720 games too. Count on it. Anyway, I wonder how much for the digital version?

I wonder if they will change the current pricing model of DD to try to push into that. I know it's a ways off but I see this happening sooner or later. I think they will try to make it happen. I just hope it doesn't happen for a ways off. The broadband infrastructure can't handle it not to mention you are alienating customers who can't keep up with standards.

[daLa]

Console gaming maybe.
A lot of developers who know what gaming should be have flocked to the PC and sure their games arent AAA but you get fun for a reasonable price. Its quite simple yet very hard to fix these things you just gotta convince casual consumers who buy all this shit to not do it anymore and teach them how to be a smart consumer about these matters.

Agreed! I mean there would be pretty much indie games or big game companies would be forced to make shitty cheap games.

[YoungMullah88]

Maybe 70 bucks and we get to sell our games back or buy used games. But 50-60 means no used games lol

Sent from my Note II

[my_retributions]

With ps4 talks circling around ,if there's no backward compatibility and ability to play old games then no matter how shiny and sheeny ps4 & its features may look any genuine gamer with his head over his shoulders would think many times b4 blindly plunging into the ps4 gig discarding their old ps3 game cd's and ps3 console itself,besides shelling out 70$ for a game well not many can afford to gift sony with that kind of a gift month aft month + the psn subscription fees may be sony is planning to bankrupt all its gamers and get richer along the way.
BOTTOM LINE- Sony p.s- pls dont force ur loyal gamers to bend over backwards coz *loyalty is a fragile attribute at tyms esp when the gaming company decides to get greedy*.