2K Dunks on gamers with new pricing and no free upgrades.

Microsoft, EA, CD PROJECT RED, and BUNGIE care very much about your rising stress level as it pertains to buying a new console. You don't need to spend your nights in a Twitch chat to know there are some must have games dropping a few months before the new hardware. During a pandemic, people may be less inclined to purchase 2 versions of the same game, so it's nice that the above companies reassured us, we're good. Free upgrades for everyone! Sony has been vague on free upgrades for first party titles on PS5. If you're looking at an XBOX Series X, they’ve committed to offering free upgrades to first party titles via Smart Delivery.

Smart Delivery: This technology empowers you to buy a game once and know that – whether you are playing it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X – you are getting the right version of that game on whatever Xbox you’re  playing on. We’re making the commitment to use Smart Delivery on all our exclusive Xbox Game Studios titles, including Halo Infinite, ensuring you only have to purchase a title once in order to play the best available version for whichever Xbox console they choose to play on. This technology is available for all developers and publishers, and they can choose to use it for titles that will be release on Xbox One first and come to the Xbox Series X later. - via Microsoft

With EA, I've been shook since I saw the great video about CEO Andrew Wilson and the Loot box model that has permeated the industry. Public companies answer to shareholders and they want revenue. It was surprising that EA landed on the side of value for the gamer. Maybe there were some productive senior team meetings after years of being roasted on social media.

Surprise! It’s 2K Games, not EA, that would like you to pay another $10 for the "next-gen" games. They will not be the last to do it.

GamesIndustry.biz spoke to IDG President and CEO Yoshio Osaki who says

“…game pricing has remained flat since 2005, whereas TV and movie pricing has increased significantly.

"The last time that next-gen launch software pricing went up was in 2005 and 2006, when it went from $49.99 to $59.99 at the start of the Xbox 360 and PS3 generation," he says. "During that time, the costs and prices in other affiliated verticals have gone up."

Osaki says that next-gen console game production costs have increased by 200% to 300%, depending on the IP, studio and genre, but the prices have remained at $59.99. Meanwhile, cinema ticket prices have risen 39%, Netflix subscription costs have gone up 100%, and Cable TV packages have risen by 105%.

So buckle up and start saving money for your new-next-gen game library.

As for NBA2K21, no free, feel good upgrades if you bought for current gen and need it for next-gen. You'll need to get the $99 Mamba Forever version to avoid being charged $70 for a copy after Thanksgiving.

This year, NBA 2K21 will offer two editions of the game on digital and physical formats - standard and a special Mamba Forever Edition. NBA 2K21 will be available for $59.99** on current-generation platforms; the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X version of NBA 2K21 will be available for $69.99.** NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition (formerly Legend Edition) will be available for $99.99 for both current and next-generation platforms.** It includes dual-access where purchasing Mamba Forever Edition on either current or next-generation platforms provides a copy of the standard edition game on the other generation at no additional cost, within the same console family. A full breakdown of pre-order details is available at https://nba.2k.com/.

“Each of our cover athletes represent different eras of the game of basketball – Damian Lillard dominates the court today, Zion Williamson is a standard bearer for the next generation of NBA superstar and what more could be said about Kobe?,” stated Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing at NBA 2K

So, there it is. The first major price increase for a "next-generation" game since the PS3 and XBOX 360 when it went from $49.99 to $59.99. It's not a bad price, for the right game. It appears that explosion of micro-transactions and residual revenues from digital sales have helped keep them distracted from raising the MSRP. 2K is awake and maybe it's because they see the number of hours players are engaged.

Nobody that plays 200-500 hours or 500-1000 hours a year will complain too much about the additional $10. Those players have a ton of other gripes relating to virtual currency, online stability, and lots of glitches and bugs at launch. Most AAA games that have an online component will be played for hundreds if not thousands of hours. How does the $ to hour of entertainment stack up to other things like movies, theme parks, consumer electronics or even a good mattress. There are deals to be had if you can wait 8 months to a year after a game is released before picking it up. You can also join a game pass service where you get to play a bunch of games at once. EA Access has been good for me as I enjoy the early trials, 10% discount on new releases and access to decent back catalogue of games that my kids can pick through.

Will the price or selection of games keep you from buying a PS5 or XBOX Series X this holiday season? Leave a comment below!