Game prices ARE due for a change…
by Andy
Are game developers creating devices for their own downfall by constantly increasing the pricing of games for increasingly expensive game systems? Are the overpricing issues that they have in europe just a taste of what’s to come here in the U.S.?
It’s a definite possibility.
Listening to the cagcast this week I found that cheapyd hit on some good points when talking about how expensive video games are getting. He said that since developers are complaining about losing money to the ued game market, they should consider dropping the price to both compete with the used market, but also to mimic the dvd market strategy. Dvds, blueray discs, etc will and have dropped down to the $20 range. Should current-gen games cost less in general? Should games that were cheaper to make cost less than games that were expensively produced and therefore are higher quality with a more polished feel? Would any of this keep people from buying used games if there was an equal price drop?
Nobody knows for sure, but if you ask me, the first couple developers to offer “mediocre” games at 20-30 dollars new will definitely have me buying their games. Being that we are entering a recession and money is tight, coupled with the fact that most gamers save their money for the one or two big titles that they are looking forward to each year, it might prove wise to drop the initial price point on notably inferior games in order to drive up sales. This could backfire and fold smaller companies, or at best, smaller companies could make revenue for development on a really big title, like their own “GTA 4.” I really am a firm believer that we might possibly see a wise company step forward with something like this as digital distribution and other forms of cheap distribution become more mainstream. What do you think?
To be honest I was typing a reply saying that this won’t change the average gamer’s spending habbits, unti I thought about it. This has changed mine. I don’t just go out and buy a game I think looks good anymore. I wait, play it with a friend, or rent it first, instead of shelling out $50-$60 for a game of undetermined coolness. for example I didn’t go buy rainbow 6: vegas 2 or GTA4 right away, I waited to see if they were worth my hard earned money.
I think the price of some of these games is definately a major factor. True while a cheaper mediocre game would probably sell very well, we also have the case of a game with an established recognition making money hand over fist. GTA4 cost roughly 100 mil to make and sold at about $60 a pop. As of the 7th of this month (what, a week after it was released?) it pulled in about $500 mil. 3.6 million copies were sold on the first day alone!!! Now that’s not too bad, but then again this is a big name title.
I agree though, throw out some games half the price of the big titles. You’ll still sell more because people will be more willing to take the risk at that price level. Downloadable demo’s aren’t too bad of an idea either to get people interested. Think of it as the “artist of the week” for games. This benefits in 2 ways. You get a good feel of what people like, and it didn’t cost all that much. If you get a strong bite on a game, develop it! Throw your millions at it if people like it, cause look at the franchises like Halo + GTA, people will line up for it.
As things stand with how money + the economy is, people will probably just wait for those one or two good titles and maybe rent some other ones to see if they’re worth it. Or hold out for a used copy (a huge money earner for resellers) when it eventually trickles into the market. Something’s gotta budge though.
It’s extremely rare that I shell out the big 60 for an Xbox 360 game, for the sole fact that yes, it will drop in price, and yes, it’s probably not worth 60 dollars. I’ve only payed the big 60 for two games on my 360 because I knew they were gonna be great. Lost Odyssey, because its an FF-like RPG, and you definitely can’t go wrong. And Virtua Fighter 5, because it’s a 3D fighting game that I’ve already played. In the not so distant future, I can see myself shellin’ out the 60 again, for games like Soul Calibur 4 and Street Fighter 4. But basically, for anything that’s not a fighting game, I just wait for it to drop in price. Games aren’t worth 60 dollars, it’s ridiculous that they rose from the original 50 dollars back on the PS1. Hell, not to mention some of the Nintendo DS games (Namely Square Enix Brand) cost you a gross 40 bucks to purchase. The only way that companies can compete with the used game market is to severely drop their starting prices, which is financially crappy. Any game that’s not a fighter, I have bought used, solely for the fact that it’s cheaper.
Shesh! Back in my day, video game thingys were only a nickle! And they were a lot bigger then too!.. and.. and.. the streets were paved with gold!