Higher Costs and Disappointing Free Games Leave Players Dissatisfied
The gaming industry has undergone significant changes recently, resulting in increased prices across the board. This has led to a wave of frustration among PlayStation gamers, who are now on the lookout for deals and giveaways in order to afford new games.
PS Plus Price Hike
In a recent announcement, PlayStation revealed that it will be raising the yearly prices for all its PS Plus plans, placing a heavy burden on gamers' wallets. This news has not been well received, especially considering the lackluster offering of free games with PS Plus Essential this month.
The three games included in this month's lineup, namely the new Saints Row, Black Desert, and Generation Zero, have all been critically panned and have failed to meet players' expectations.
Expensive PlayStation Portal
Meanwhile, PlayStation unveiled the price of its upcoming console, the PlayStation Portal, during Gamescom 2023. As exciting as the handheld may be, gamers were disappointed to learn that it comes with a hefty price tag of £199 (£199), making it £100 more expensive than other Remote Play devices currently available on the market.
Xbox Follows Suit
PlayStation is not the only culprit in raising prices. Xbox has employed similar tactics in recent months. Subscribers of Xbox Game Pass faced an increase in prices, while free Games with Gold were removed from the lowest membership tier.
What's more, there is a concerning trend emerging in the gaming industry, where full-price games offer "early access" periods for an additional fee. One notable example is the highly anticipated game Starfield, where players could pay £70 ($70) for access starting September 6, or pay £100 ($100) for early access beginning September 1.
Gaming has always been an expensive hobby, but recent developments have left players more concerned than ever before. The combination of rising prices and diminishing quality raises serious doubts about the industry's commitment to its loyal fan base.
