Recent industry discussions have highlighted the rising costs of premium game titles, with major studios pushing prices upward. Titles from leading platforms are anticipated to reach $79.99, signaling a broader trend among top publishers.

While blockbusters like the upcoming GTA installment could exceed these figures, mid-tier developers are exploring alternative strategies. One standout example is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which maintains a $49.99 price despite critical acclaim. Its publisher argues that smaller studios can thrive by focusing on tighter, high-quality experiences rather than chasing AAA budgets.

During a recent discussion, Kepler Interactive’s Matthew Handrahan emphasized the potential of reasonably priced titles:

“I think as that AAA price goes up, I think it creates more of an opportunity to be launching games – more sensibly scoped games – [and] pricing them at that $40–50 range.”

Initial skepticism about the lower cost led the team to clarify their vision: Expedition 33 wasn’t aiming for AAA status but prioritized focused design. Sandfall Interactive’s François Meurisse added:

“In the end, it was a win-win situation, because it was a way to attract more players towards the game, to have good player satisfaction about their buying [decision], and it could actually end up doing more sales. So maybe players’ perception can change a bit about that kind of price [point].”

The studio emphasized intentional design choices over bloated content, noting their next project will avoid unnecessary budget inflation. Success in this model hinges on clear communication with players and delivering polished experiences — a challenge few achieve as effectively as Expedition 33.