I hate this trend of increasing prices while also reporting record profits. They are making this industry smaller not bigger with this decisions as I think the player base will decrease when talking about new consoles. Or at least make everyone concentrate in fewer releases which does not help diversity.
Many may argue that the technology inside these consoles is amazing and priced accordingly, but I feel making this hobby or console gaming even more expensive than it already is, is not the right choice.
I believe prices will not only affect consumers but it will also affect future generations of developers. As less people will be able to afford these types of games, less will pursue careers/jobs in what they never experienced.
In an industry where minority representation is lacking this will make it even worse. And that's only talking about places like the US and the richest countries of Europe. The rest are out of luck. When a PS5 or XSX are twice or even more the average income... if not for regional pricing in the PC marketplace many would stop playing videogames.
It is usually common when applying for a job for these huge studios that you are required to have shipped a AAA game or more. Hopefully we can first play them.
I do not work in the industry (I would love to do sound design for games) and I keep reading developers are constantly crunching, Seniors leave the industry because of the burnout and juniors, while they can bring energy as well as all their knowledge, are not enough. I'm sure this will not improve their working conditions.
Of course there is plenty more to be discussed but that would need further analysis and probably an essay about the subject.
