Since 2000, the video game industry was considered recession-proof, having thrived compared to other industries during the 2008 Great Recession, and as one of the more profitable industries during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Video games are seen as a low-cost vice and entertainment for consumers when approaching recession.[74][75] However, in 2022, atop pandemic economic fallout including chip shortages, supply chain disruption, and consumers preferring outdoor activities, the industry started to indicate recession with global revenues falling for the first time in twenty years.[76]
It seems that they went a bit too far recently for price gouging, but you can do research on similar pre video game “amusments” like films and such and find similar patterns
There’s a much much bigger indy market now. I’m sure people will still be playing games, just not AAA games they can’t afford on hardware they definitely can’t afford.
There’s just a general downturn in the economy. People don’t buy video games when they’re struggling to pay for groceries.
That and MS probably wants to throw more into the AI money pit.
There’s a trend on more spending on cheap entertainment during recessions and times of finacial hardship
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_industry
It seems that they went a bit too far recently for price gouging, but you can do research on similar pre video game “amusments” like films and such and find similar patterns
There’s a much much bigger indy market now. I’m sure people will still be playing games, just not AAA games they can’t afford on hardware they definitely can’t afford.