I think there’s probably a hasty assumption that either this article is (it’s not) or that it could be used for (it probably will) judgment type musings about how young people are irresponsible and are the cause of their own struggles, similar to the avocado toast commentary.

The article itself is just the result of a survey that happened to focus on young people, and I agree it’s more appropriate to think of it related to a relatively new form of gambling/manipulation that’s causing problems

Not sure entirely how to feel about this. It incentives genuinely worse experiences, but it also means that as someone who never pays for any micro transaction, my gaming can be subsidized by those who do. That said, it’s also one of the reasons that I’ve moved away from most games where micro transactions are a major element, and the skins in games like CoD are pretty obnoxious

After coming off the incredibly successful Switch generation and Mario Kart 8 being essentially a decade old game that’s sold over 70 million copies, I just don’t believe that this is a decision driven by absolute necessity. I’d have begrudgingly accepted the standard PS5 prices of $70 games and $10 upgrades which I already thought were usually overpriced, but raising another $10 seems ridiculous. I’m thinking I’ll pass at least for a few years

General inflation doesn’t quite translate directly in all cases and is just a reference. In video games, costs have increased, but revenues have increased primarily through micro transactions and a growing market/sales. There’s virtually no marginal cost to produce additional units with software, so the revenues become a balance of price, demand, and supply (for hardware). They are expecting that the price increase won’t result in a significant drop in demand so that revenue increases. If they’re wrong, this will be a huge business mistake. If enough people purchase anyway, like you, then they’ll increase revenues and this will be considered a great business decision

Same reason the ps3 fumbled the announcement and failed at launch. They got too greedy

Console price doesn’t bother me so much, but these game prices really instantly killed my hype. Can’t wait to not buy the Wii U 2

Honestly looks like it’d make a really cool VR game

I use them with both. Xbox is the odd one out. If you get the nova 7 or nova 7P, they’ll work with everything except Xbox (I think). The 7x works with everything including Xbox

I use the arctis nova 7x wireless which I like, have good reviews, and are good for the price. Can’t speak much to other options but Rtings has reviews of headsets if you want to research there