[quote name='K_G']The reason why game prices drop in stores is because both the retailer and publisher they have capital invested in both the physical item as well the limited selling space to sell items, resulting in an incentive for both parties to lower prices to unload a slower moving items.
With DLC, neither one of these factors is in play. It isn't a law of nature that prices have to drop over time on games (they don't on other media such as paperback books nor do criterion DVDs fall in price over time). There are plenty of things to grumble about DLC (no resale, DRM, disk space utilization and that currently pricing doesn't account for these drawbacks), but grumbling that the prices don't fall fast enough isn't a particularly sound argument...Just because the cost of production is lower doesn't mean it will passed on the end consumer, just like a the full costs of a dud game are not assessed on the end consumer.
You might as well complain that you are not getting a cut of the revenue from the billboard ads in burnout paradise[/QUOTE]
I think by bringing up paperback books and DVDs, you have strayed too far away because
they are "other media." It is not quite an apples and apples comparision to games, but before I have to cook dinner for three, let us address those for fun.
In general, even paperback books and DVDs will fall because of the access to the secondhand market and changes in technology (Kindle, new editions, bundles, BluRay, etc.). You actually proved my point by the first couple of factors you mentioned in your own post. I go to book stores often, and I see sales of older classics like 1984 to clear out space. I'm not even going to talk about how internet sales have effected these prices because my time is somewhat limited. Funny you mention Criterion DVDs because they follow a different model, which makes their mention completely pointless. Also, I don't believe they are immune to long-term changes in technology or re-releases.
There are some good points in there about the negatives of DLC, but you lose the fact that DLC
is a digital distribution method. I will not go into every reason why price cuts should come more regularly, but I will mention a couple. After the upfront programming and 'packaging' cost, transferring code over the 'net is much cheaper than traditional distribution channels. You're statement is essentially, "Well, cost-cutting measures within the company don't necessarily pass down to the consumers." Yes, they don't always do that. But, by not passing the savings to consumers, a company will allow competitors to step in with more efficient systems and take away customers. Once consumers realize the product efficiency or number of alternatives has increased, they will demand lower prices. These outside pressures are only a few of the reasons why DLC
should be cheaper, but is currently not because the systems are still in their infancy. The competition is weak.
Also, there
is a depreciation model for digitally distributed content. Especially with digital products, time plays in an important role in
devaluing their price. Again, I cannot go into complete detail or mention every point. A couple of reasons is because reproduction and maintenance is cheaper than tangible goods. As space and bandwidth increase, the cost of maintaining the code becomes even smaller because the size of the original code becomes inconsequential due to new vast resources.
The scope of this discussion is too large for a forum. But, I already said that.
I believe you neglected various factors at play which have overrun the 'traditional' factors you mentioned in your first couple of lines. There is no way for me to address or elaborate on every issue or point. I need evidence, citation, more research, clarification, more writing space and other details. I'm simply addressing your post because I feel like you're calling me an idiot. We can sit here on an internet forum and poke holes all over the place. For tonight, I can no longer do any more E-Dick jousting with you. I need to go make some homemade pizzas.
[sp. grammar, communication barriers, lack of emoticons, lack of clarification, etc.]
