Pokemon Company plans to raise prices and promote purchasing both game versions
An internal document from a media source reveals The Pokémon Company’s past deliberations regarding the pricing strategy for Pokémon games and the promotion of dual-version purchases. This documentation, dating back to the early Nintendo Switch era, indicates that Pokémon titles were initially sold at a standard price of per version. However, the document hints at considerations for potential price increases, which were ultimately constrained by the absence of a standardized pricing model in the North American market at that time.
The document includes specific sales data that highlights consumer trends related to purchasing both versions of select Pokémon titles. For instance, it notes that 41% of players opted for both versions of Pokémon Sun and Moon, while that statistic rose to 50% for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Conversely, only 23% of players purchased both versions of Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee., indicating varying success in encouraging dual-version purchases among different game releases.
The investigation into these pricing strategies emerged from insights tied to a previous leak associated with Game Freak Teraleak, which had previously exposed various details about upcoming Pokémon titles, including the highly anticipated project tentatively referred to as Pokémon Winds and Waves.
Within the document, three distinct pricing patterns were considered to optimize game sales. The first option suggested maintaining the current prices of the game series to maximize sales figures, which are critical for future downloadable content (DLC) sales. The second proposal entertained a price increase while keeping the bundled double-pack price steady, with the expectation that offering discounted dual versions would encourage purchases. However, it warned that higher domestic prices could lead to increased parallel imports. The third suggestion included a more significant price hike, which could raise royalty revenues but also risk making the game more expensive than other Nintendo offerings, potentially dampening sales.
A crucial aim articulated within the document is to galvanize interest in purchasing two versions simultaneously, particularly in the Japanese market, where the double pack is seen as a strategic offering. Unfortunately, the specified pricing strategies indicate that pricing could act as a barrier to achieving the company’s sales targets, leading to a decrease in projected units sold.
The insights derived from this internal document provide a glimpse into The Pokémon Company’s strategic thinking around pricing and consumer behavior, revealing the complexities involved in balancing profitability with consumer accessibility.
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