For next generation consoles, the ESPN series of games will return to "premium pricing" as it's
so
eloquently put. This years sports titles
bearing the ESPN name were released at $20 ($30 in Canada), and the move was largely a good one. Sales were good, and
the ESPN titles offer a damn good alternative to the never ending EA Sports line of gleefully charging full price for a
few new features and an up to date roster.
Even I, someone who despises the yearly "let's update the roster and change a few things, then ship it" business model
sunk some bucks into the ESPN series. And now they plan to end the cheap pricing. I guess it makes sense in a
way. Hook the players on the current generation, then milk it for all you can on the next. And anything that gives EA
Sports a run for it's money get my vote. They've had it easy for far too long.
No word yet on the fate of the pricing for next years titles, but as someone who is eagerly awaiting the return of
baseball season, slinging down $30 for a new baseball game once a year for the next couple of years is something I'm
almost happy to do if Sega can keep the quality up and the prices down. If the price went back up to EA Sports levels
though, I would have to think twice.
Engadget
TUAW