Madden 26, FC 26, Battlefield 6 Safe From $80 Price Tag? EA CEO Talks and It's a Win For Gamers

Electronic Arts (EA) isn’t jumping on the $80 video game bandwagon—at least not yet. While Nintendo raised eyebrows with Mario Kart World launching at $80, and Xbox briefly tested the waters before reversing course, EA has taken a more cautious—and consumer-friendly—stance.

During EA's Q1 earnings call, CEO Andrew Wilson addressed the topic directly when pressed by investors.

“We’re not looking to make any changes on pricing at this stage,” Wilson said, clarifying that the company has not factored $80 titles into its financial expectations for the current fiscal year, which runs through March 2026.

This means flagship releases like Madden NFL 26, EA Sports FC 26, and even the rumored Battlefield 6 will maintain their current pricing models—most likely sticking to the $69.99 mark.

Wilson emphasized EA’s wide range of offerings, from free-to-play games to deluxe editions of premium franchises.

“Our orientation is always to capture the full spectrum of pricing so we can serve players in the best way possible,” Wilson said. “No dramatic changes planned yet.”

🧠 MainEvent.News | Backstage Take:

💭 Be careful what you normalize. Once $80 becomes standard, it's hard to go back. EA’s restraint could be less about generosity and more about timing—but for now, players win. Don’t take it for granted: support the titles that respect your wallet.

💸 Who’s Testing the $80 Waters?

• Nintendo: Kicked it off with Mario Kart World
• Xbox: Announced $80 price tags for The Outer Worlds 2 and other upcoming titles—then quickly walked it back
• Gearbox: Randy Pitchford teased an $80 price for Borderlands 4, but it stuck with $70 in the end

While some publishers eye the $80 price point as a way to offset ballooning development costs, the backlash has been swift—and EA seems to be reading the room, at least through 2026.

The big wildcard? Rockstar Games. With GTA 6 looming, many expect it could break the mold as the first $80 megahit—and players may still pay up without hesitation.