Activision Confirms PS3, Wii Pricing

Speaking at the Merrill Lynch Media and Entertainment Conference yesterday, Activision CEO Robert Kotick has confirmed that the company expects to sell PlayStation 3 titles for around $60 once the console is launch in the U.S. this November. Despite some consumer protests, the average price of premium titles rose from $50 on the Xbox to $60 on the Xbox 360, and this appears to be the model which Activision are following for the PlayStation 3, with PSP titles sold at $50. As reported by consumer website GameSpot, Kotick commented that, “We have not seen a lot of consumer resistance at the higher price points and we expect that all of our next-generation products will be launched at $60 price points.” An Activision representative later indicated that his statement did not included Wii titles, which Nintendo at least intends to sell at $50. As usual the increasing cost of development was blamed for the price rise, with Kotick indicating that the forthcoming Spider-Man 3 movie tie-in has cost $35 million to develop on all formats. Kotick has long been an advocate of increased retail prices though, previously labeling Take-Two’s budget priced ESPN sports titles as “irresponsible” and “disruptive”. In terms of specific launch titles, Kotick indicated in his speech that Activision was preparing Call of Duty 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk’s Project 8 for the North American debut of the PlayStation 3 on November 17th. For the launch of the Wii the company intends to publish Call of Duty 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam and budget titles Rapala’s Tournament Fishing and World Series of Poker.