Will Trump's Tariffs Raise Video Game And Console Prices? Here's What We Know
Are technology products made in China, like video game consoles, going to become more expensive in 2025? Here's what some experts are saying
Fortnite - Ballistic Launch Trailer Motorslice - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer Kraino Rebirth - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer Knock Off: The Battle For Imagination - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer The War in Chiapas - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer Escape of the Hammer Princess - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer Shadows of Chroma Tower - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer Space Hunters - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer Dark Dawn The Chronicles of a Doll - Official Reveal Trailer Wander Stars - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato - Official Reveal Trailer Sin Squad: Stealth Assassins - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer
Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?
Sign up or Sign in now!
Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. 00:00:00Please enter your date of birth to view this video
By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Joost van Dreunen, an adjunct professor at NYU's School of Business, wrote on his blog that he expects Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to once again band together to make a plea for an exemption, just like they successfully did years ago. Harding-Rolls hopes to see this, too.
"During Trump's previous administration, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo got together to successfully argue for an exemption to import tariffs. Let's hope that the gaming sector is spared once again," he said.
GameSpot has reached out to Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony to find out if these companies plan to band together like they did in 2019 to fight the import taxes. At press time, none have responded.
Tariffs Leading To Changing Consumer Behavior
Another element at play with these proposed tariffs is how they could shake up the video game market in terms of how people play games. Van Dreunen argues that, with console prices potentially going up, consumers might seek out "hardware-independent" ways to play their favorite games. "These tariffs could fast-track the industry's shift toward cloud gaming, streaming services, and transmedia distribution, marking a classic transition from content innovation to distribution innovation in the pendulum cycle," he said.
For its part, Microsoft is already pushing into this area with Game Pass and its own cloud-gaming service, which essentially makes any internet-connected screen an Xbox. Microsoft is in the business of selling consoles, but with some predicting that the wider console market is not growing, Xbox is trying new strategies to reach people where they are. Van Dreunen said he thinks Sony might also look for lower-cost distribution alternatives, citing the surprising popularity of the PlayStation Portal device as an example. There are reports of Sony doing even more in this department with its own dedicated PS5 portable gaming device. "Even including the higher tariffs, [the PlayStation Portal] would remain a reasonable substitute compared to upgrading to the next version of the PlayStation," he said.
Lots Of Unknowns
Whether or not any of Trump's plans come to fruition as he laid them out or at all is an open question. Even if he does plan to press ahead with his new import taxes as proposed, he could face scrutiny and pushback from legislators and the public. The AP reported that House Democrats have already compiled legislation that seeks to take away any president's ability to introduce new tariffs on their own. This was understood to be a symbolic effort considering the Republicans will hold control of the House and Senate under Trump. Suzan DelBene, a Democrat from Washington, said no Republican or Democrat president should have the power to "indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs." We'll soon find out if Trump does just that.
This story originally appeared on: GameSpot - Author:UK GAG
