NBA publisher 2K Sports 2K Sports revealed a new pricing strategy for NBA 2K21 on Thursday that could indicate a change in video game prices for the next generation of consoles.
On September 4, players can pick up NBA 2K21 on Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One for the typical price of $ 59.99. Later in the year, a new version of NBA 2K21 It will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X as a launch title. But 2K Sports won’t offer a free next-gen update like many other intergenerational game publishers. Instead, the company will sell the next-generation version separately for $ 69.99, $ 10 more than the standard video game price that has been in place for the past 15 years for two generations of full consoles.
Instead of using Microsoft’s Smart Delivery system, or whatever Sony’s solution is, 2K goes its own way. Those who want to buy NBA 2K21 on PS4 or Xbox One, and continue playing on PS5 or Xbox Series X, respectively, you will need to purchase the NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for $ 99.99. The bundle includes “dual access” to current and next-gen versions, allowing players to upgrade within the PlayStation or Xbox families, plus plenty of other things in the game. It is intended to be a tribute to the memory of Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January and had a long history with NBA 2K, after having appeared on the covers of NBA 2K10 and NBA 2K17.
Third-party publishers are free to set their own prices and are not required to implement a free update for intergenerational games. But full-priced video games have cost $ 59.99 since 2005, when the Xbox 360 released the seventh generation of consoles. There was no increase when the PS4 and Xbox One were released in 2013, but NBA 2K21the price is the first hint that we might see one for the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Reached his comment, a 2K Games spokesperson gave Polygon the following explanation for the next-generation price hike:
We believe that our suggested retail price for NBA 2K21 on next-generation platforms it fairly represents the value of what is on offer: power, speed and technology that is only possible in new hardware. While we are sure that NBA 2K21 It will be a monumental leap for the franchise and an outstanding visual showcase on next generation consoles, we recognize that it is our responsibility to demonstrate this value to our NBA 2K fans and players. We hope to do so and can’t wait to show more in the coming months for its launch.
Several external publishers have announced offers for free upgrades from current generation to next generation versions, including CD Projekt Red for Cyberpunk 2077, Crystal Dynamics for Marvel avengersand Electronic Arts for two sports titles, Madden NFL 21 and FIFA 21. Microsoft has promised free updates via Smart Delivery for all first-party games, including Halo Infinite; Sony has not yet said if it is doing something similar. But the 2K Sports announcement is the first news of the next generation of pricing. Sony and Microsoft have not yet said how much they will charge for the first-party titles, but $ 69.99 may become the standard price for next-gen games.
We contacted Microsoft and Sony for feedback, and we will update this article with any information we receive.
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When asked if all of 2K Games’ next-gen titles will cost $ 69.99, the 2K rep said only that “2K’s suggested retail prices for its games are meant to represent the value on offer.” It is worth noting that the publisher is launching the next generation iteration of NBA 2K21 as a separate product from the current generation version, with “extensive enhancements to its best graphics and gameplay, competitive and community online features, and deep and varied game modes.” This is similar to how 2K Sports handled NBA 2K14Where the PS4 / Xbox One launch title was a very different experience from the PS3 / Xbox 360 title.
In addition to the price bomb, 2K Games also revealed the cover athletes for each of NBA 2K21Editions of. The current-generation console standard edition features Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans appears in the next-generation standard edition. (You may recall seeing Williamson’s sweaty face in the debut trailer for the PS5 version of NBA 2K21.) Kobe Bryant, from two different eras, will grace the cover of Mamba Forever Edition on current and next-gen consoles.
