Playdate’s value goes up subsequent month

Panic hosted a brand new Playdate Replace at the moment, spotlighting information for the crank-controlled handheld. The Catalog, a digital storefront for the hand-held console, goes reside at the moment alongside a batch of recent video games. And Panic additionally confirmed that beginning subsequent month, the value of the Playdate will get cranked up a bit, from $179 to $199.

Whereas the Playdate continues to be rolling out to those that pre-ordered, Panic confirms that nobody who has a pre-order will see their price ticket go up. Moreover, Panic is ready a month to maneuver the value up, so you could have till April 7 to safe an order on the $179 level.

Panic co-founder and CEO Cabel Sasser attributes the hike to manufacturing prices. Whereas the CEO says there have been some value will increase prior to now and Panic’s margins are already “surprisingly slim,” this was the one price improve the workforce couldn’t keep away from.

Moreover, the beforehand introduced Playdate Stereo Dock has been MIA, however Sasser says the workforce continues to be engaged on it.

Cranking open the Catalog

Except for the {hardware} information, there was additionally software program information for the Playdate at the moment too. Initially, the Playdate launched with a plan to roll out a “season” of video games to homeowners. Further video games are open to side-load onto the Playdate from locations just like the Itch.io retailer, as effectively. At present, Panic opened up a 3rd possibility: the Playdate Catalog.

The Catalog is a storefront for the Playdate the place, after tying in your bank card data, you may actually crank to purchase new titles. (Or simply use the web site, however come on, the crank is extra enjoyable!) Two video games are out at the moment, and free to have a good time the Catalog launch: Reel Steal, a fishing-based thieving sport, and Suggestion Canine, a sport a few canine managing a temp company.

Extra video games are already headed to Catalog for buy too, together with pre-established Playdate hits like Bloom and A Joke That’s Value $0.99. Whereas the value tag bump is an comprehensible wrinkle, it’s good to see Panic getting a ready-on-the-console storefront possibility for many who don’t wish to tinker with side-loading. It’s additionally a simple method to see how far Playdate improvement has come within the final yr or so.