This may sound crazy, but hear me out... $70 might just be relatively cheap right now, when considering historic prices and inflation.

So about 20 years ago, I used to work at a game shop and at that time all new AAA console games were all $50 and I believe the switch to $60 happened just shortly after I left.

That said, a quick web search says that there's been 65% inflation since 2005. $50 x 1.65 = $82

So at least when compared to other products, $50 to $70 is not a huge price jump.

Now all that said, this does not account for the added cost of micro transactions and paid dlc which didn't really exist in 2005. So the actual lifetime cost of a top pricing tier game may actually be higher than $70. Honestly, I have more of a problem with that than with the higher base cost, hidden costs are deceptive.

Edit: I looked it up, the switch to $60 actually happened in 2005, I was probably still working there when it happened. If we were to do that same calculation starting with $60, that's $60 x 1.65 = $99. So there's food for thought

Bloomberg's all broken for me, so going by the snippet:
I get the impression the absolute majority of games aren't even past the 40 USD threshold, including the majority of successful games I see in the wild. If the snippet considers the AAA games as a good sample for the gaming market, I'd argue otherwise, that they're a loud minority of games, and a decaying one at that for multiple reasons, including the bloated prices.

There are plenty of cheaper games out there. Go on whatever virtual store and check out current sales, and simple games made by small studios.

Cult of the Lamb, Spiritfarer, My Time at Portia, The Last Campfire, Arise: A Simple Story and What Remains of Edith Finch are all worth checking out.

Bring back rentals

i did want a switch when SWSH came but decided not to get it, due to cheapflation of the pokemon franchise on the console by game freak, best decision. it wouldve cost 400+$(new swith included) plus all the extra stuff for nintendo required to play it online.

Idc if the Price is justified but the question is how many of them are just that good that the Price is justified?

https://gg.deals/ is pretty nice for PC games at least

These price hikes could not have come at a worse time, not just in the sense of the general cash people have but in the sense that video games right now are straight up not interesting.

Good games are not being made anymore. Bloated "experiences" designed to keep you hooked and spending money are being made. I can't even accuse them of being casino games because that would more fun and interesting.

The rise in price comes at a time when we have virtually limitless backlogs of digital and physical games that are superb and high quality and indie games that get better and better. The price alone isn't the issue, it's the price and stagnation of game design