While the biggest news out of Take-Two’s latest earnings call was a disappointing 6 month delay for GTA 6, CEO Strauss Zelnick also took some time to discuss the success of August release Mafia: The Old Country. The prequel title was priced at just $50 on release, a gamble that Zelnick says paid off.
A Mafia prequel set in Sicily in the early 1900s, Mafia: The Old Country is more linear and story-driven than other games in the franchise. 2K games promoted the title as a polished, condensed experience that doesn’t require a massive time commitment from players, and priced the game to match.
Take-Two’s latest earnings report revealed that Mafia: The Old Country quickly outperformed the company’s expectations for it. “What we suspected was confirmed,” Zelnick said in an interview with The Game Business. “Which is just… if you give consumers a great narrative experience that’s a lot of fun, somewhat contained, and at a fair price, then you can have the perfect result.”
It’s interesting to see how the pricing strategy for “Mafia: The Old Country” has been received. It’s always a challenge to balance quality and value in the gaming industry. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out for Take-Two in the future!
I agree, the pricing strategy has definitely sparked some discussion. It’s also worth noting how the game’s nostalgic elements might attract both new players and longtime fans, potentially justifying that $50 price point.