Sony Increases Horizon Zero Dawn Price After Remaster Reveal

In a surprising move, Sony has quietly doubled the price of Horizon Zero Dawn on the PlayStation Store in the wake of the announcement for the Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Originally released in 2017, the game has seen significant price reductions over the years, but it seems Sony is keen to prevent players from capitalizing on these lower prices ahead of the remaster.

For some time, there have been rumors swirling around regarding a native PS5 version of Horizon Zero Dawn, with discussions pointing toward either a remaster or a remake. Many PlayStation enthusiasts were concerned about the latter option, especially given that the game is not yet a decade old. Fortunately, the recent September 2024 State of Play confirmed that Horizon Zero Dawn will indeed be remastered for both PS5 and PC. Although some critics question the necessity of a $50 remaster for a game released in 2017, it promises substantial visual and accessibility enhancements over the original.

Similar to the upgrade process for Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, players who already own Horizon Zero Dawn on PS5 or PC can upgrade to the remastered version for a fee of $9.99. However, considering that Horizon Zero Dawn has been available for over seven years and has undergone multiple price cuts during that time, a recent observation by Twitter user GamePittReviews revealed that Sony has “secretly” increased the game’s price on the PlayStation Store, likely to deter players from purchasing the original game at a reduced rate before upgrading.

New Price Leaves Buyers with Few Options

GamePittReviews shared a price history chart showing that Horizon Zero Dawn had consistently been priced at £15.99 ($19.99) since April 2024. However, the chart shows a sharp increase to £34.99 ($39.99) on September 25, shortly after the September 2024 State of Play announcement. This nearly doubled price effectively negates the difference between purchasing the base game and opting for the $10 upgrade to the remaster.

From a business perspective, Sony's decision makes sense. Keeping the original game's price lower would have allowed players to snag Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for $20 less than its full price. Unfortunately, this price hike poses challenges for newcomers eager to explore Horizon Zero Dawn as they look forward to the remaster. It’s also important to note that this price adjustment applies only to PlayStation users, as the PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn is already priced at $49.99.