Kinda Funny Games Daily: PlayStation 5 Prices RAISED in United States

Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: SnowBikeMike & Roger
Podcast: Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast

Episode Overview

This episode covers major shakeups in video game hardware pricing, focuses on Sony's decision to raise PlayStation 5 prices in the US, and discusses industry-wide economic pressures and their impact on gamers. The hosts discuss Microsoft's ambiguous pricing on its upcoming Xbox ROG Ally handheld and explore significant studio news, including layoffs at Cloud Chamber (the BioShock studio) and the appointment of industry veteran Rod Fergusson. Closing topics include news on Hollow Knight: Silksong, Starfield's rumored Switch 2 port, and a grab bag of smaller stories. The overall tone is candid, a bit exasperated at the state of pricing, and supportive of both gamers and game makers trying to navigate a rapidly changing industry.

Main Themes

• Rising Costs Across The Gaming Industry:
  Sustained economic pressures and tariffs are leading to rising console and hardware prices, contrary to previous cycles where hardware would get cheaper late in the generation.

• Market Uncertainty for New Handhelds:
  Microsoft’s ambiguous approach to ROG Ally pricing and its partnership with Asus illustrate how "macroeconomic" instability is complicating product launches.

• Instability and Turmoil in AAA Studios:
  Major layoffs at Cloud Chamber (BioShock) and Rod Fergusson joining as head signal another troubled AAA development.

• Community Connections and Gamer Experiences:
  Scattered throughout are lighthearted anecdotes, super chats, and shout-outs, enhancing the community-driven feel of the episode.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[09:18] PlayStation 5 Prices Raised in the US

Source: Jordan Midler, VGC

• PS5 Standard: $549.99 (was $499.99)
• PS5 Digital: $499.99 (was $449.99)
• PS5 Pro: $749.99 (was $699.99)

"The PS5 is the latest price of consumer tech to be impacted by the global economic issues... we're five years into the life cycle and the console has now went UP $50 instead of going down in pricing, which we usually see."
— Roger [11:22]

• Host reflection: In previous generations, five years meant dramatic price drops (e.g., PS4 fell from $400 to $200).
• These increases extend a trend begun internationally in 2022; now, America finally joins.
• Parallel: Nintendo Switch prices also just went up ($40-$50 for various models).

Industry Impact & Concerns:

• "This is the time period where you would expect to get the slim... Now we're higher than we've ever been. It's really, really upsetting to see."
  — Roger [12:51]

• The cost of entry to gaming, especially for families and casuals, is higher than ever.

• Forecast: We may never see a significant price drop for PS5 before PS6 arrives.

Memorable Quote:

"Now we're at the place where things inflate and they stay there... maybe we never need to do the thing where we make a slim cut version and drop it to half. Maybe we just keep them at MSRP forever."
— Roger [14:40]

[17:38] Xbox ROG Ally Handheld – Details and Pricing Uncertainty

Announcement:

• The Xbox ROG Ally, developed with Asus, arrives October 16, 2025.
• "Handheld Compatibility Program" for improved experience, with "Handheld Optimized" & "Mostly Compatible" tags (akin to Steam Deck's verified program).

Hosts' Hardware Takes:

• Roger and Mike both admit their Steam Deck is gathering dust; a lighter, improved Windows-based handheld excites them.
• Roger: "I want a Windows handheld... This is the future of gaming." [19:53]
• Mike is cautiously optimistic but unsure if it will pull him from couch/PC gaming.

Macroeconomic Uncertainty and Price Speculation

• Despite the launch date ("very soon"), no confirmed price due to tariff volatility.
• Leaked pricing (via retail site Dealer Labs and Best Buy):
  • ROG Ally X: $899 ($899 euro)
  • ROG Ally: $549 ($599 euro)

"I don't think there's any way the prices go lower... the way they talk about macroeconomics of it all... We might have to brace to make it higher."
— Roger [29:16]

Role in the Market:

• "Probably isn't your main console—this is an accessory. $900 for an accessory? That's tough."
  — Mike [30:08]

Concern About the Future:

"There's a world where this doesn't do well... and they say, 'we're not doing a handheld ever again,' that's scary to me. Because that's the future of Microsoft for me: I want that handheld."
— Roger [31:01]

[38:34] BioShock Studio (Cloud Chamber) Layoffs & Rod Fergusson Hired

Breaking News (Jason Schreier, Bloomberg):

• Take-Two cut about a third of Cloud Chamber, over 80 people of 250 staff.
• Studio brings in Rod Fergusson (ex-Gears of War, Diablo) as new head.

Studio Statement:

"We've made the decision with studio leadership to rework certain aspects that are core to a BioShock game... and are reducing the team to focus on this."
— 2K President, quoted by Rebecca Valentine [40:14]

Industry Reaction:

• This is likely a major reboot, potentially another very long wait for BioShock 4.
• Layoffs highlight brutal realities for game developers, even at well-funded publishers.
• Rod Fergusson is respected for "turnaround" assignments on franchises in trouble.

Memorable Quotes:

"This is definitely a Hail Mary. I'm hoping for the best, because I want BioShock 4. I want this game to be good."
— Roger [42:09]

"You don't gut the team and change leadership this deep if everything's going well... To me, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a full reboot."
— Roger [46:09]

[48:47] Hollow Knight Silksong Special Presentation Announced

• Official Team Cherry stream in 48 hours for "a special announcement."
• Jason Schreier teases "the story behind why Silksong took seven years to make."
• Roger is personally very hyped; expects either a release date or possible shadow drop.
• Silksong discussed as "the new Half-Life 3" for meme-level anticipation.

"So much pressure for the small team—they're now the meme in every single presentation: Silksong, Silksong, Silksong. That's nuts."
— Roger [50:13]

[53:02] Starfield Rumored for Switch 2 (& PlayStation 5)

• Industry insider Nate the Hate claims Starfield and Indiana Jones will be on Switch 2 in 2026.
• Continues Xbox's trend toward multiplatform releases.
• Discussion over the technical leap: Switch 2 could potentially run Starfield better than Series S.

"There's a chance that runs better on my Switch 2 than it does on my Series S... that's kind of crazy."
— Roger [53:32]

• 2026 may mark a broader Xbox push to Switch 2, with hopes for better controller hardware.

[55:11] Wii News Segment - Quick Hit Updates

• Six new heroes coming to Deadlock; game is evolving rapidly.
• Splinter Cell anime teaser (Death Watch) announced by Ubisoft, starring Liev Schreiber.
• Rogue Prince of Persia launches on Game Pass (Switch versions next year).
• Tropico 7 arriving in 2026.

[59:00] Community & Super Chat Highlights

• Soccer practice advice for kids: "Work on first touches and proper footwork!" — Coach Mike [60:23]
• Discussion around what price would make the ROG Ally DOA; most agree over $1000 is too much, but this is for enthusiasts.
• Quick takes on tech (Elden Ring's rumored state on Switch 2, AI in Sekiro anime).
• Shout-outs to supporters and fans.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Today’s Economy:
  "The smell of recession is in the air... specifically when it comes to gaming... We're just going to have these moments where people are going to hold onto their consoles and maybe not look towards a PS6."
  — Roger [12:52]

• On the ROG Ally’s Market:
  "This is going to be a cool console for the hardcore of the hardcore, like for us... This is not breaking out... This is not going to be a Steam Deck moment."
  — Roger [31:01]

• On BioShock Development:
  "I love my Steam deck, but f*ck man, I want competitors in this space that are reasonably priced. And this is, this is looking more and more for the out-there hobbyist adult gamers."
  — Roger [34:35]

• On Hollow Knight Silksong:
  "Silksong is the new Half Life 3. And that's crazy. That's so much pressure for the small team."
  — Roger [50:13]

• On Layoffs/Economic Pressures:
  "It's never enough. So that really, really sucks."
  — Mike [44:10]

• Community Moment:
  "If the Call of Duty ever comes to my Nintendo Switch, that would be big news. But what if I didn't want some big news? What if I need smaller news? Where would I go?"
  — Mike teeing up Wii News [55:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 09:18 — PlayStation 5 price hike analysis
• 17:38 — Xbox ROG Ally handheld details & market context
• 26:06 — Discussion on ambiguous pricing, retail leaks, and tariffs
• 38:34 — Breaking news: Cloud Chamber layoffs & Rod Fergusson hired
• 48:47 — Hollow Knight: Silksong special announcement teased
• 53:02 — Starfield/Switch 2 multiplatform rumors
• 55:11 — Wii News: rapid-fire smaller gaming stories
• 59:00+ — Community super chats, shout-outs, and wrap-up

Final Takeaway

This episode underscores the tension between corporate realities (tariffs, inflation, shareholder demands) and the gamer community's expectations. While the hosts lament the "new normal" of persistent high prices and large-scale layoffs, they maintain hope and excitement for the games (and hardware) that survive, celebrating the struggle and creativity of developers—big and small—across the globe.