An internal document from The Pokemon Company has surfaced which shows past interest in increasing the price of Pokemon games as well as encouraging people to buy both versions.<\/p>\n
Going back to the original Nintendo Switch era, Pokemon titles were $60 for each version. However, there was at least some consideration to go higher than that back in the day. One thing that prevented a higher price point was the fact that higher prices were not standardized at the time in North America.<\/p>\n
The same document also reveals percentages for a few games in which consumers bought both versions:<\/p>\n
\u2013 41% of players bought both versions of Sun\/Moon
\u2013 50% of players bought both versions of Ultra Sun\/Ultra Moon
\u2013 23% of players bought both versions of Let\u2019s Go, Pikachu\/Eevee<\/p>\n
The latest information comes from the Game Freak Teraleak, which previously led to a ton of Pokemon leaks, including the discovery of Winds and Waves before they were announced<\/a>. Here\u2019s a machine translation of the document<\/a> (note that Beluga was the codename for Let\u2019s Go):<\/p>\n Price proposal<\/p>\n Regarding pricing, there are three possible patterns, but to maximize sales, we will choose option 1.<\/p>\n 1. Beluga\u2019s prices remain unchanged.<\/p>\n \u2013 This maximizes the sales figures that form the base for DLC sales.<\/p>\n \u2013 There is no room for royalties to increase compared to Beluga.<\/p>\n 2. Price increase (W pack price remains unchanged)<\/p>\n \u2013 The purchase of the discounted double pack is encouraged.<\/p>\n \u2013 Individual sales are not progressing. There is a high possibility that the software will be sold separately (resale).<\/p>\n \u2013 Prices will be higher only domestically, and parallel imports may become a possibility.<\/p>\n \u2013 While royalties for individual releases are likely to increase, royalties for double packs are likely to remain unchanged.<\/p>\n 3. Price increase<\/p>\n \u2013 Royalties increase<\/p>\n \u2013 It will be more expensive overseas than other Nintendo software, which will significantly impact sales figures.<\/p>\n \u2013 The double pack feels significantly overpriced.<\/p>\n Encouraging purchase of both versions<\/p>\n To increase sales in Japan, it\u2019s crucial to stimulate demand for purchasing two items at once.<\/p>\n The double pack is positioned as a strategic product, and the aim is to encourage simultaneous purchase with the main product, but the price may be a barrier, potentially preventing customers from buying both.<\/p>\n Of the target of 4 million units, if you buy two\u2026<\/p>\n I want to achieve sales of 1.65 million copies (SM record: 41%) to 2 million copies (USUM record: 50%).<\/p>\n If the ratio becomes similar to that of Beluga, sales will drop by 800,000 to 1,000,000 units.<\/p>\n