The industry needs to wake up and lower prices!
- Thread starter Ex~
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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.
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
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[quote name='Kayden']I'd say that the 50% (90?) of the people on this forum pirating games is a bigger thorn.[/quote]
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.
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
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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.
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
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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.
[quote name='evyrew']
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.[/quote]
[quote name='evyrew']
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.[/quote]
The Mana Knight
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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).
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
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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.
Most companies need to release games more sparingly throughout the year first, then they'll talk about lower prices.
The Mana Knight
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[quote name='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.[/QUOTE]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).
Most companies need to release games more sparingly throughout the year first, then they'll talk about lower prices.[/QUOTE]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
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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
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.
Personally I think game pricing is fine as it is. If there is a title at 60 that I really want then
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
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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
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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.
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
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[quote name='Kapwanil']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.
[/quote]
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.
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.
[/quote]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.
[quote name='evyrew']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.[/QUOTE]
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.
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.[/QUOTE]
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.
[quote name='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.[/QUOTE]
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.
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.[/QUOTE]
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.
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
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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
http://www.slate.com/id/2210732
[quote name='GaveUpTomorrow']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.[/quote]
Same here.
Everytime, a GS employee ask me "Can I help you" I say "No I will let you know when I need help"
Then like 99.9% of time, no help needed!
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.[/quote]
Same here.
Everytime, a GS employee ask me "Can I help you" I say "No I will let you know when I need help"
Then like 99.9% of time, no help needed!
pochaccoheaven
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[quote name='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[/quote]
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].
http://www.slate.com/id/2210732[/quote]
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].
bread's done