In a certain sense, I think you're right that the "end user" will pay a hefty price for this... assuming that they continue to <b>voluntarily</b> be an "end user."<br>That, really, is the issue.  No one is forcing anyone to buy or play AAA titles, and the more game companies jack up prices (and I do expect them to,) the more "end users" will either run out of money or re-examine their budgeting priorities.  That <b>will</b> hurt the companies, because no number of end users can compensate them for all the gambling addicts they've been milking for years.  They'll struggle for some way of recapturing the past, then either downsize, go bankrupt, or (and I think this is more likely,) just stop making video games entirely and switch over to some other industry, maybe selling off some of their properties as they go.  In any case, the big dogs will be less of a threat, and much of the indie scene will still be standing.