The industry needs to wake up and lower prices!

[Ex~]

Everyone has begun to notice: amid the tumultuous times of economic uncertainty, one segment of the economy is booming: EBgames.

Why? Used games. Everyone wants to save a coupe bucks here, a couple bucks there. Why not buy a used titles for $5 less than a new one, when games cost $60 to begin with?

EBgames is getting rich precisely because gamers are buying more used games.

This, unfortunately, is not good for anyone in the industry. Gamers that used to buy new games and push the industry forward are now funding the coffers of the EBstop megacorp.


What's the answer?

Lower prices! Sales! More deals! Non-standard pricing, regularly release games for less!

Gamers today will line up and down the block if they think they'll get a decent deal. Why let all the benefit go straight to EB's used games division?

Come on, Gaming Industry, you will be yourself and everyone else a disfavor if you fail to capitalize on this opportunity.

[Zoglog]

I still think gaming is one of the cheapest hobbies out there... money/time wise.

[Furashu]

well it cost so dam much to make the games...

so........... if $10 less increases sales by 100k thats 1 more mil...
but if they sell 100k less at $60 theyd make the same :)

[SlimJim0725]

It is really difficult for companies in the gaming industry to run sales constantly. They will lose money on most products since new games give them only a small amount of profit as it is. EBStop has the luxury of having a good amount of money and publicity, so it is almost impossible for a small business to compete in the used game area since if EBStop saw some competition, they would just crush it by lowering their price and running more promo's than the competition could handle.

[Kayden]

I'd say that the 50% (90?) of the people on this forum pirating games is a bigger thorn.

[kurokubushi]

Because of the recession Companies can't afford to lower prices, only %20 of games released make a profit as it is.

[botticus]

If prices were uniformly lower, revenues would simply drop across the board. When games were $50, used prices were $45. When they went up to $60, used prices were $55. People waited for cheaper prices regardless of the initial standard MSRP.

While it's certainly not benefiting every publisher, video game revenues (for NEW items) are still up in the midst of a recession.

[Zoglog]

seriously guys.... one good meal @ a steakhouse = the cost of hours of entertainment from a game
I know people who've spent more on a car for hobby reasons than I'd ever spend on video games in 10 years.

gaming is cheeeaaap....

well except for me and my nutty inclination to buy a IIDX controller.

[Kayden]

Hell, I went out for sushi for 2 and I walked out with a $100 bill. I could get more than a dozen games for that much scratch.
seriously guys.... one good meal @ a steakhouse = the cost of hours of entertainment from a game
I know people who've spent more on a car for hobby reasons than I'd ever spend on video games in 10 years.

gaming is cheeeaaap....

well except for me and my nutty inclination to buy a IIDX controller.

[kurokubushi]

Something else I dident think of before. Dropping the price of games would be utterly usless. EB games would still sell used games, and they would sell them cheaper than NEW titles, no matter how low the price was dropped

[Kaijufan]

I think most people here would agree that most games are way too expensive, why else would they be on this website?
I do think that $30-$40 would be a much better MSRP for games, I know I would buy a lot more of them on day one if more were in that price range.

[Trollsmeesh]

I think most people here would agree that most games are way too expensive, why else would they be on this website?
I do think that $30-$40 would be a much better MSRP for games, I know I would buy a lot more of them on day one if more were in that price range.

I miss how cheap games used to be, but really with inflation and all that good stuff games aren't really costing more.



At least I don't think so.

[lilboo]

Nobody is making any of us buy the games at $60. I know I don't buy games at that price.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

Just wait, most games can be had for 50% MSRP in about 6 months.

[Shiroh30]

yeah I think pricing is decent............I mean, weren't N64 games $60 bucks when they came out? How much were NES games.....can't really remember, cuz I was like 6-7 years old, but I vaguely recall my brother paying $49.99 at Kmart for contra when it first came out.

[Moose_Man]

Lol I get all my games for free from various sites on the internet. The first game I bought in 2 years was Left 4 Dead and that was when it was DOTD on amazon and was like $40 I believe.

[javeryh]

Games ARE getting cheaper. In 1986 I paid $50 for Zelda, Metroid and other games which is the equivalent of paying $96 today for them. I don't mind paying the $50-%60 as long as I get my money's worth and the game delivers.

[Trollsmeesh]

Games ARE getting cheaper. In 1986 I paid $50 for Zelda, Metroid and other games which is the equivalent of paying $96 today for them. I don't mind paying the $50-%60 as long as I get my money's worth and the game delivers.

Agreed. :)

[pitfallharry219]

I'd say that the 50% (90?) of the people on this forum pirating games is a bigger thorn.

Would you really put the number that high, at 50% even?

[Kayden]

In the 360, PSP, and PC forums, definitely. They are definitely close to Dreamcast levels.
Would you really put the number that high, at 50% even?

[pitfallharry219]

I'd probably put the DS on that list as well.

[Trollsmeesh]

In the 360, PSP, and PC forums, definitely. They are definitely close to Dreamcast levels.

I'd have to agree, not saying I pirate or anything, but it's damn easy to download anything from, depending on your computer, gamecube and down.




And if you had the right burner, anything from PS3/360.


I'd probably put the DS on that list as well.

Yeah, you can get things to put SD cards in and what not..


But..uhh..pirating is wrong..yeah. :roll:

[Kayden]

I have no idea how prolific it is. I know there's some kind of flash cart, but I don't know the particulars of it.
I'd probably put the DS on that list as well.

[Trollsmeesh]

I have no idea how prolific it is. I know there's some kind of flash cart, but I don't know the particulars of it.

The flash card is the same size as the DS games and I guess you put in a mini SD card that already has the games/pictures/movies/music on there.



At least that's what I think, not that I would actually know. :P

[ninja dog]

Game sales are fine. the companies need to look inward to see why they're hemorrhaging.

[xistence]

Does nobody remember when games like FFIII and Chrono Trigger were $100.00 EACH when they came out?

Games are much cheaper right now.

[Reality's Fringe]

I use Gamefly.That's how I'm hurting the industry.

[Zoglog]

I'd also like to add that games in the US are more cheap than they are in Japan (Esp with the exchange rate now) or Europe.

[Gentlegamer]

Does nobody remember when games like FFIII and Chrono Trigger were $100.00 EACH when they came out?

Games are much cheaper right now.Physically, ROM chips cost much more than a CD or DVD. Pressing an optical disc is literally pennies.

The flip side is that modern games have much higher development costs due to 3D engines, voice acting, etc.

I think Wombat had the right of it in the latest CAGcast: depending on the game, $60 is unquestionably "worth it," according to individual taste. He used Fallout 3 as his example. I feel the same about Oblivion. Though I bought the GOTY edition for $30, it would still have been a "good game value" for me at $60.

At any rate, game prices always come down and used copies can be had for very cheap, so only "early adopters" of a game have to pay "full price" anyway.

[Ex~]

In the 360, PSP, and PC forums, definitely. They are definitely close to Dreamcast levels.

I highly doubt that could be the case, as I wasn't even aware you could pirate games on the 360. I have seen tons of pirating in person on the DS.

[pitfallharry219]

I highly doubt that could be the case, as I wasn't even aware you could pirate games on the 360. I have seen tons of pirating in person on the DS.

As far as I know, right now the PS3 is the only system that has virtually no piracy scene. The Wii is even being hacked quite a bit these days.

360 piracy is everywhere right now. I'm shocked that you had no idea about it. Check a few gamertag cards on this site, and I'm sure you'll find at least one that has been playing games that aren't even out yet.

[help1]

50%? No. The pirates just happen to be more of our vocal and prominent members, like zewone.

In regards to the 360 boards though. The PSP board is probably about 80 percent, and the PC board is up there, too.

[camoor]

Hell, I went out for sushi for 2 and I walked out with a $100 bill. I could get more than a dozen games for that much scratch.

Who are you dating, Shamu?

[Ex~]

As far as I know, right now the PS3 is the only system that has virtually no piracy scene. The Wii is even being hacked quite a bit these days.

360 piracy is everywhere right now. I'm shocked that you had no idea about it. Check a few gamertag cards on this site, and I'm sure you'll find at least one that has been playing games that aren't even out yet.

And this is possible without hardware modification?

Actually, I suppose I'm getting a bit too nitty gritty here for a forum like this.

[Chris in Cali]

Buying a game for $60 plus tax is crazy. Prices need to go back to $49.99 MSRP for new releases. I wait until games hit $29.99 to buy them, unless it's a game I have to have then I'll buy it for $39.99

[Kayden]

:lol: She was 5 foot flat and 90lbs soaking wet. Suishi is just ridiculously expensive. The $7 drinks didn't help. :wall:

Who are you dating, Shamu?

[Kayden]

All you have to do is take out the optical drive and flash the firmware. However, I think there's great potential for having your console banned from XBL. I don't use XBL and even I don't have a cracked console. Updates tend to brick them. 360's don't need help dying.

And this is possible without hardware modification?

Actually, I suppose I'm getting a bit too nitty gritty here for a forum like this.

[dmaul1114]

Gaming is pretty cheap, especially if you make use of this site, Goozex (or other trading sites) etc.

It's definitely a good value from a cost per hour of entertainment standpoint.

Though those calculations always depend on how much you enjoy games relative to other things. Sure it's cheaper per hour than movies, or a nice meal in a 5 start restaurant etc., but that doesn't matter much if someone enjoys those things more than gaming. Games are one of the few things I'm a cheap ass with.

[SuperJedi]

It's very funny to see that people Embrace Gamestop/EBgames. And say "Lower Prices!"

Irony really, they are always the MOST expensive, except for Used games!

IF Used is your cup of tea...

Me? No, I rather have it NEW!

Then again, look on Amazon.com, you probably can find a used game cheaper on Amazon.com. Or even a NEW copy, just about as much!

Unless you mind waiting a week.

That's for Buying...

As for selling, Hell, GS/EB is even MORE of a RIPOFF, you can almost always sell more on Amazon.com, than trade to these places!


You are RIGHT that price need to be lowered, but supporting GameStop/EB is the WRONG approach!

[Zoglog]

bitch about GS/EB all you want but they're profitable w/ good growth (more than you can say about many companies these days).

If you don't like their practices, don't shop there. However they obviously are doing something right to attract the mainstream consumer or else nobody would be going there. Bashing on Gamestop is the most cliche/pointless/pathetic thing that gamers constantly do.

[SuperJedi]

It's NOT they are doing something right, it's cuz a lot Consumers are stupid/lazy, and think GS is the GOD of Video game stores... they worship it, but DON'T know Alternatives.

If they (like me) look on Amazon.com, there is almost always a better deal than at GS/EB!

I was at GS a couple days ago, and saw a guy trade a PSP in, and all he got was $20 back!

Which GS will then sell for $60-$100, whatever they sell used PSP for.

Comon, you bought that for what? $200, and sold it for just $20?

IT's NOT THAT SMART!!!

If I were him, I rather keep the PSP than trade it, man!

Then, I WORK HARD to make more money, if money is an issue.

Otherwise, Amazon is where I will sell it!



A lot of Gamestop Loyalists doesn't seem to understand there are BETTER alternatives, almost everywhere else! Once they look at these Alternatives More, I can't see how they still think Gamestop rocks?

[Dingleberry]

After reading this...all I could think about is being 11 years old and saving all my birthday and Christmas money to buy F-Zero new on the SNES for $70

[kurokubushi]

bitch about GS/EB all you want but they're profitable w/ good growth (more than you can say about many companies these days).

If you don't like their practices, don't shop there. However they obviously are doing something right to attract the mainstream consumer or else nobody would be going there. Bashing on Gamestop is the most cliche/pointless/pathetic thing that gamers constantly do.


The only thing they did right is get a monopaly on mainsteam gamming, If you want to get a game that hasen't been released in the last 1-2 years you really have no choice other than gamestop, because other major retailers probally wont have it. The only store that could ever really compete with gamestop was EBgames, and we all know what happened there. Sure there are the ocasional Pivately owned stores, but they really can't afford offter competitive rates.

[Kayden]

Ebay? Amazon? GameCrazy? GameRush?

The only thing they did right is get a monopaly on mainsteam gamming, If you want to get a game that hasen't been released in the last 1-2 years you really have no choice other than gamestop, because other major retailers probally wont have it. The only store that could ever really compete with gamestop was EBgames, and we all know what happened there. Sure there are the ocasional Pivately owned stores, but they really can't afford offter competitive rates.

[kurokubushi]

[quote=Kayden;5572204]Ebay? Amazon? GameCrazy? GameRush?[/quote}]


Eaby and amazon are online so dont count, I refering to STORES, game crazy and Game Rush may be franchise but still fall into the category of not being able to compete with Gamestop, they are no where near as large. I have never seen either of those stores.

[panasonic]

if games were $25 i would have a lot more games.

[jkanownik]

Personally I'd be more willing to pay more for better quality games. You can get your games 15% cheaper right off the top if you're willing to play them on the Wii. No thanks!!!

[GaveUpTomorrow]

It's NOT they are doing something right, it's cuz a lot Consumers are stupid/lazy, and think GS is the GOD of Video game stores... they worship it, but DON'T know Alternatives.

If they (like me) look on Amazon.com, there is almost always a better deal than at GS/EB!

I was at GS a couple days ago, and saw a guy trade a PSP in, and all he got was $20 back!

Which GS will then sell for $60-$100, whatever they sell used PSP for.

Comon, you bought that for what? $200, and sold it for just $20?

IT's NOT THAT SMART!!!

If I were him, I rather keep the PSP than trade it, man!

Then, I WORK HARD to make more money, if money is an issue.

Otherwise, Amazon is where I will sell it!



A lot of Gamestop Loyalists doesn't seem to understand there are BETTER alternatives, almost everywhere else! Once they look at these Alternatives More, I can't see how they still think Gamestop rocks?

Be glad that there are so many people who worship gamestop though, it gives both you and me a better chance at getting great deals elsewhere. Imagine if all of the people who do most of their game shopping at gamestop found out the deals that many of us get here. There would be a huge jump in traffic to all of the sites and alternate stores we do our shopping at, and we'd miss out on most if not all of the deals.

I'm not a huge fan of gamestop, but I don't mind going to the store either. When I do go, I always have something specific I am looking for, and I always bring coupon/use my edge coupons. The funny this about gamestop is that I often know more about what is going on in their stores and with gaming in general than they do. I had to walk an employee through processing a coupon and edge card today, how sad.

[Kapwanil]

Ebay? Amazon? GameCrazy? GameRush?


Eaby and amazon are online so dont count, I refering to STORES, game crazy and Game Rush may be franchise but still fall into the category of not being able to compete with Gamestop, they are no where near as large. I have never seen either of those stores.

In that case, you can throw in other retailers that end up selling games into the equation. K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Sears, for the majors. To a lesser extent you can also throw in your Meijers, Hastings, and other stores as well.

And, honestly, most would consider Amazon to be of great import regardless of it being an online entity. Considering that over the past few years they have created entire gaming divisions not only in their US branch but in their overseas counterparts (particularly Japan)...Amazon themselves certainly see themselves as being competition towards everyone else. ;)

[Furashu]

how the hell did this become about GS/EB sux,
this thread has become so off topic lol.

hey guys who would win in a fight spider man or the flash!

[VipFREAK]

When you guys say gaming is a "cheap" hobby are you talking about the kids/people that get the systems bought for them so all they have to pay for is games? lol

I never could afford gaming until I was "old" and took in my own pay check, even at this point even if it is looked at as "cheap" I could be saving a bunch if I wasn't gaming.

[evyrew]

I'd say that the 50% (90?) of the people on this forum pirating games is a bigger thorn.

I would say that websites like CAG drive down game piracy. Yes, piracy is a problem with any online community. However, with CAG I've noticed a huge emphasis on playing older games, waiting on deals, and paying full price when the game is actually worth the money.

On topic... I don't understand why publishers won't knock off $5 to $10 for pre-orders or purchases within the first week of release day. That would skyrocket their day one sales, and almost guarantee positive community support.

[pochaccoheaven]

it's not the industry that needs to wake up. it's the people that needs to realize that the companies are putting too much money on development that cost is higher then earnings. for what 360/ps3 owners are paying for their games it's more then fair.

remember gta 4 was 100 million for development. metal gear solid 4 also had a high dev cost.
sony wanted to charge $70 for a game but didn't as they would not be able to compete with ms.

the people that made gta 4 are trying to squeeze as much profit from the game as possible. you know this because of that expansion pack they're releasing, lost and damned. i'm sure they'll probably release another expansion pack sometime down the road when the current expansion pack becomes old.

what is funny is that the companies know that it's very risky to spend so much and having a possibility of having a small return that they keep pushing this direction. the amount of money ea probably spent for 2008 was huge and it hit them in the face with all those massive lay offs.

if you're complainning know, you'll be in for a real treat when the next generation comes when ms and sony decides to sell their software to their customers at a higher premium cost. their most dedicated customers will always pay that price and both those companies will give any excuse for it and the buyer will simply swallow it.

[Kayden]

Valve has mastered this concept. Every game they sell is $5-10 off the week before release. Then every time they have a significant updated, they drop the price. Their profit margin goes down, but actual profits skyrocket.

On topic... I don't understand why publishers won't knock off $5 to $10 for pre-orders or purchases within the first week of release day. That would skyrocket their day one sales, and almost guarantee positive community support.

[The Mana Knight]

Well, unfortunately, many companies these days cannot easily do this.

Most games on PS3/360 (HD consoles) need to sell at least 500k copies to break even at a $60 pricetag. Many games on next gen consoles have a budget of at least $20 million (last gen there would be games with a budget 1/5th of that). For many games, that's actually a bit hard to achieve unless they are multi-platform (which is why you see many of the same games on PS3/360). If game prices were to drop, the number of copies a game would have to sell would increase. Last gen many publishers could sell games at $50, sell around 100k or so to break even, but next gen is just much more expensive. Some publishers have struggled financially because games with a pretty good budget failed to meet what it needed to sell. Now if HD consoles games only needed to sell 200k to break even at $60, then I could sell game prices lowering, but unfortunately that is not the case. SCEA doesn't lower their game prices until the sequel of a game comes out soon (normally if it's a game that can achieve Greatest Hits status due to selling a certain amount) because they are trying to make as much back as possible from hardware loses (and they expect PS3 to grow slower due to pricetag where dropping the price of their games isn't going to cause that big of a spike at all).

If a game is truly great or definitely interests me, I'll pay full or near full price for it. Eventually I'll pick up some games cheap, but 90% of the time I regret the cheap games I buy (because since I never really wanted them badly, I play them and very rarely they are one of the better games I played, and they end up getting traded in).

[KingBroly]

Microsoft makes companies print a certain amount of copies of their games though (IIRC it's 200,000). Sony probably has a similar amount, probably not as high.

Most companies need to release games more sparingly throughout the year first, then they'll talk about lower prices.

[The Mana Knight]

Microsoft makes companies print a certain amount of copies of their games though (IIRC it's 200,000). Sony probably has a similar amount, probably not as high.

Most companies need to release games more sparingly throughout the year first, then they'll talk about lower prices.I seriously think companies need to spread their games out more the rest of the year, instead of everyone relying on the Holiday rush to sell games and release way too many at once. IMO, I honestly don't think games like NG Sigma or even MGS4 would have made as big of a buzz if they were mixed in October/November. I think that's what publishers should do, like larger ones can aim for one game a month, instead of like 3-5 in November/December (EA especially needs to do this).

[cochesecochese]

I think I just read an article about how EA specifically is planning to stagger releases like that.

Personally I think game pricing is fine as it is. If there is a title at 60 that I really want then fuck it, I will pay the 60 bucks. I mostly use deals to buy weaker titles at what I perceive their true value to be. My only gripe is with the pricing on digital download titles. In general most of these games are about 20% higher than I'd like them to be but that just means I buy a few less games overall than I'd like.

[KingBroly]

I think MGS4 could've brought buzz for the PS3 last fall, but it would've done worse than it did. Companies are starting to release stuff in February now, but soon it'll expand to May and June, and then August and September, and then once that happens, since titles will sell better there than they would have in the fall months, prices will lower .

[pochaccoheaven]

the problem with lowering prices is that people who first bought the game may feel cheated later. it's similarly like what nintendo has said about lowering prices. if a company is able to make a game that is very rich, then they should not lower prices unless it is needed to [a last resort]. smash brothers and mario kart has been out for quite a while and they're still at $50. we'll probably see a dropped price in the next year or so.

it's like systems, if you bought a ps3 for 400 today and along the months later sony drops the price to 300, then the next time around you'll wait longer until the system is priced lower. you end up feeling cheated.

[kurokubushi]

In that case, you can throw in other retailers that end up selling games into the equation. K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Sears, for the majors. To a lesser extent you can also throw in your Meijers, Hastings, and other stores as well.

And, honestly, most would consider Amazon to be of great import regardless of it being an online entity. Considering that over the past few years they have created entire gaming divisions not only in their US branch but in their overseas counterparts (particularly Japan)...Amazon themselves certainly see themselves as being competition towards everyone else. ;)


Thats my entire point, I was saying that if you want a game that isent a recent release(last 2 years), then you need to go to gamestop, because Wall-mart, Best buy or any of those others probally wont have it. You might get lucky and find it in the bargin bin, but it's unlikely. I don't factor in Amzazon for 2 reasons. Alot of gamers I know are anal about their games and only buy new titles, and Gamers in gernral(not all) are an instant gratifacation type of consumer and the 10%-15% savings yuo can get on Amazon isent worth the 2-5 day wait for the game.

[coolsteel]

I would say that websites like CAG drive down game piracy. Yes, piracy is a problem with any online community. However, with CAG I've noticed a huge emphasis on playing older games, waiting on deals, and paying full price when the game is actually worth the money.

On topic... I don't understand why publishers won't knock off $5 to $10 for pre-orders or purchases within the first week of release day. That would skyrocket their day one sales, and almost guarantee positive community support.

Doubt much of anything is driving down gaming piracy these days, it got too easy. The DS is as simple as putting in a cart, Wii is about 20 minutes of work,etc, etc. While I don't think its rocking 90 percent like someone said earlier it is getting high.

I agree with your second point, knocking a few bucks off for those that preorder would at least make it worthwhile. I go into gamestop and get asked to preorder games that are mass produced, without any incentive to do so I keep saying no again and again.

[62t]

the problem with lowering prices is that people who first bought the game may feel cheated later. it's similarly like what nintendo has said about lowering prices. if a company is able to make a game that is very rich, then they should not lower prices unless it is needed to [a last resort]. smash brothers and mario kart has been out for quite a while and they're still at $50. we'll probably see a dropped price in the next year or so.

it's like systems, if you bought a ps3 for 400 today and along the months later sony drops the price to 300, then the next time around you'll wait longer until the system is priced lower. you end up feeling cheated.


Not always a lot of us want to get new release on day 1, even knowing in a few months the price might be lower. And dont count on price drop for nintendo. Zelda was a launch title and still at full price.

[YoshiFan1]

I think $60 is ridiculous for a new game, but I also refuse to pay $40 - $50 for a game as well with over 90% of my games being $10 or less (and most of those being $5 or less). No game is worth paying full price for to me. The only time in the last 10 years I have spent more than $50 on a game was Rockband SE for PS2 for $59.99 plus tax and shipping from HotTopic but I figured since I was getting a game that was originally $159.99, I still bought it.

[The Mana Knight]

This article explains a lot about the costs involved with games, how many of them are spending more than what they bring it, thanks to development costs and such. That is why we will not see lower prices:
http://www.slate.com/id/2210732

[SuperJedi]

Be glad that there are so many people who worship gamestop though, it gives both you and me a better chance at getting great deals elsewhere. Imagine if all of the people who do most of their game shopping at gamestop found out the deals that many of us get here. There would be a huge jump in traffic to all of the sites and alternate stores we do our shopping at, and we'd miss out on most if not all of the deals.

I'm not a huge fan of gamestop, but I don't mind going to the store either. When I do go, I always have something specific I am looking for, and I always bring coupon/use my edge coupons. The funny this about gamestop is that I often know more about what is going on in their stores and with gaming in general than they do. I had to walk an employee through processing a coupon and edge card today, how sad.

Same here.

Everytime, a GS employee ask me "Can I help you" I say "No I will let you know when I need help" :P

Then like 99.9% of time, no help needed!

[pochaccoheaven]

This article explains a lot about the costs involved with games, how many of them are spending more than what they bring it, thanks to development costs and such. That is why we will not see lower prices:
http://www.slate.com/id/2210732

thank god someone posted something like this. this means there is no one to blame but the people. the only console that is trying to prevent this gets taunted at. when that company makes money, people are at disbelief or taunt it even more. i still believe that the prices would go up in the future [69.99], of course it will stay down [59.99] if one is trying to kill the other and force their hand to forfeit [ms trying to kill sony].