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[StreetsofBeige]

Well, when it comes to games, the pricing structure seems like this:

1. Game is $60-70 US (current or next gen)

2. A remaster and some second games like Cabela's Game Hunter might be $40-50

3. Old games considered greatest hits and indie budget games $10-30

Let's face it, some of those $60-70 games sure seem out of place against the big name games with lots of content at the usual launch price. But they're still that much?!?! But you can tell they are nowhere near the production quality and content as a well known AAA franchise.

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[Sleepwalker]

Yes.


I would buy Returnal for $25-30 but hell will freeze over before they get $70 from me, for example.

 

[Danjin44]

For me none of that matters, the only thing I care about is if liked what I saw from the trailer or demo and If I did I'm willing to buy it full price or not.

 

[Fare thee well]

I love games and I know exactly what I'm looking for. If a fully competent, no microtransaction-based, and COMPLETE-at-launch game comes out that I love, I'd easily pay 80 dollars for the damn thing. But so precious few companies can even do a competent release anymore.

 

[nush]

Yes, the mid range game market that was eliminated need to make a return. So many classics were born from that sector.

 

[Gankthenew]

If it is with genre/style/genre/developer I like, I'll buy it if it's more than 40% off

 

[Warnen]

Lower the price easier to take a chance on it, but with gamepass that’s gotta be a real low price.

 

[RCU005]

Returnal is a great example of how greed harms the game. The game should've been $50 and would've sold millions! Even people who weren't sure about it, would've buy it only because they'd want to play something on their new PS5. Having it a $70 was a disgrace for the developers and the consumers!

It deserved so much more!

 

[teezzy]

As a pc fanboy, I have trouble shelling out anything more than $30 for any game. I don't mind waiting for drops or sales. More than enough to play as is

Let alone a sidescroller or some crap. Metroid Dread for $60?! Don't even get me started

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Returnal is a great example of how greed harms the game. The game should've been $50 and would've sold millions! Even people who weren't sure about it, would've buy it only because they'd want to play something on their new PS5. Having it a $70 was a disgrace for the developers and the consumers!

It deserved so much more!

Despite the hyperbolic wording, I do agree with your premise.

I strongly believe Returnal would have performed much better commercially and very likely generated more revenue overall as a $50 game.

The problem is that publishers [mistakenly] believe that gamers think if it's not a full-price game, we carry the perception it's smaller in scope and therefore are less likely to buy it---which is predicated on the assumption that there is a significant cross-section of gamers who only buy $70 AAA blockbuster games (which is probably true).

The flaw with that logic, is that with a game like Returnal, which has niche appeal to begin with, it would never appeal to the audience that only buys AAA blockbusters in the first place. So going with a lower price upfront would have widened its accessibility to the market who would have been much more curious and open to trying out a unique title such as this.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Despite the hyperbolic wording, I do agree with your premise.

I strongly believe Returnal would have performed much better commercially and very likely generated more revenue overall as a $50 game.

The problem is that publishers [mistakenly] believe that gamers think if it's not a full-price game, we carry the perception it's smaller in scope and therefore are less likely to buy it---which is predicated on the assumption that there is a significant cross-section of gamers who only buy $70 AAA blockbuster games (which is probably true).

The flaw with that logic, is that with a game like Returnal, which has niche appeal to begin with, it would never appeal to the audience that only buys AAA blockbusters in the first place. So going with a lower price upfront would have widened its accessibility to the market who would have been much more curious and open to trying out a unique title such as this.

Good point.

Although, an argument can also be made that for niche kinds of genres, it'll never have mainstream appeal. So why chip down the price?

So might as well make it $70 knowing core rogue fans will buy it full price no matter what.

 

[kikii]

Returnal is a great example of how greed harms the game. The game should've been $50 and would've sold millions! Even people who weren't sure about it, would've buy it only because they'd want to play something on their new PS5. Having it a $70 was a disgrace for the developers and the consumers!

It deserved so much more!

posted this before >>

pre-ordered for 50€

 

[onesvenus]

That's exactly why Gamepass rocks.
I have bought a lot of B tier games after trying them there. I wouldn't have paid their price without playing them before at all.

 

[ZehDon]

Absolutely. It's why I've subbed to Gamepass - I can try a lot of games with no financial risk other that the subscription cost. If I find something I adore, I can lay down some money and take it home forever.

The idea of games being AUD$125.00 is absolutely terrible for discovery: I simply cannot afford to lay down that kind of money every time a game has a decent looking trailer.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Absolutely. It's why I've subbed to Gamepass - I can try a lot of games with no financial risk other that the subscription cost. If I find something I adore, I can lay down some money and take it home forever.

The idea of games being AUD$125.00 is absolutely terrible for discovery: I simply cannot afford to lay down that kind of money every time a game has a decent looking trailer.

That's nuts. That's $115 Canadian. Games are $80-90 here depending if the game company upsized the price or not due to next gen.

$115 would get you a special edition version of the game if not even a higher tier version.

For example, Walmart has the PS5 special edition of Horizon FW for $100, and a bit higher Deathloop Deluxe Edition at $110 and GT7 25th Anniversary Edition at $110.

 

[kingpotato]

If I'm interested in a game, the price doesn't really matter. I think Returnal was totally worth $70. If I'm only partly interested I will wait for >=$10. If I'm not interested I may check it out when it's free. Even with these rules I have a huge backlog. It doesn't make sense that someone would pay $40 or $50 for something they aren't hyped about.

 

[Kenpachii]

30 is my limit. Unless its a game that i know i will play a lot then 50.

 

[Knightime_X]

Bring back demos for more games.
I'll give nearly every game i'm kinda interested a shot if it had a demo.

 

[BigBooper]

Yea, but in a time where even simple indie games are charging 30 bucks now, it probably still wouldn't be cheap enough.

 

[BaneIsPain]

It depends on how they sell the idea in the first place. Latest example is Kena, doesn’t matter whether on sale or full price I would still buy it. It is worth the price.

 

[ZehDon]

That's nuts. That's $115 Canadian. Games are $80-90 here depending if the game company upsized the price or not due to next gen.

$115 would get you a special edition version of the game if not even a higher tier version.

For example, Walmart has the PS5 special edition of Horizon FW for $100, and a bit higher Deathloop Deluxe Edition at $110 and GT7 25th Anniversary Edition at $110.

Yeah, it's just too much. Australian always kinda pay more, but this is a 25% increase from last gen prices. The moment Sony announced all their PS5 games cost AUD$125.00, I had to tap out.

 

[Bulletbrain]

Of course. Pricing is definitely a major factor in my purchasing decision. In general I would like to see a greater variety of games available at different price points.

 

[420bits]

What im willing to pay for a game comes down to two things.

Do i want to play the game or do i want to support the studio.

Many use returnal as a posterchild for "not fucking worth the money!" and they are right, its not a fullprice-title when you compare it to many other games. I bought it day 1 because it looked like fun (and it was, got 60+ hours of fun from it).
But the studio is a studio i want to support for who they are and what they do. So they got my money without any hesitation.

I live in sweden so gameprices are fucked, but i also never buy something i don't want and if i can pay 100 dollars or whatever it is in exchangerate for a game like returnal and get 20-30-40-50+ hours of fun from it? Thats a cheap hobby.

Would i like to get games cheaper? Ofc, but thats not how it works, salaries increas, the scope of games increase and it just becomes more expensive to develope them. The odd Stardew Valley-one-man-show things are unicorns in the gamingindustry, yes it can be done but probably not.

But pricing has nothing todo with how much i'm willing to spend on a game.

 

[Damigos]

If a game launches at 40 i ll be "forced" to wait for a sale around 15..
I almost only buy games on discount, so i dont think this will change, whatever the launch price

 

[Dream-Knife]

If games that have released this year, I've gotten more enjoyment from Indies.

I think we're at a crossroads where big AAA games aren't really worth it for the most part. I think now is the time for Indies to shine. Cruelty Squad and Eastward are fantastic games available for under $25.

 

[NahaNago]

My price tier is do I want to really play the game then I'll buy it at the full price, if not I'll buy it when it is probably $20 or less.

 

[Griffon]

I won't buy games over 40€. Be it AAA or indie.

I don't care beyond that point.
If somehow I had the power to know for sure that I will enjoy a game, I can easily shell out 40€ no matter the length or production values. As long as I have a good time.

This is also why I won't touch next gen consoles, 70-80€ base price tags are retarded.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Too high price does stop me from buying some games.

Games like 13 sentinels for example, which i'm interested in playing, cost full $60. On top of that receive pratically no regional pricing which turns it comically expensive for what it is in my region. My natural thought is 'why buy this when i can get other similar games i'm equaly interested in for 10-15$?'

 

[skit_data]

Crash 4 is one of those games that I’d love to buy but it feels completely overpriced. If it launched at €50 I would probably have bought it at launch but I refuse to buy it when its 40% off and still costs over €40.

 

[KAL2006]

From a business perspective it makes no sense to sell cheaper, there will be day 1 buyers who will buy full price. After 6 months to a year they can have the option to drop the price to get more buyers.

 

[22:22:22]

Yeah for sure. Until then I'll just buy not even a year from release for less than half of it's initial price

It isn't like all of us are starved for games to play lol

Guilty_AI recently bought Aegis Rim on sale for like 20? Maybe 30..

 

[22:22:22]

Crash 4 is one of those games that I’d love to buy but it feels completely overpriced. If it launched at €50 I would probably have bought it at launch but I refuse to buy it when its 40% off and still costs over €40.

PS store weekend deal is Mass Effect collection for like 48€

Sometimes/Mostly (??) They use the ULTRA LEGENDARY COLLECTORS Edition for those sales.

So your initial thought is like wow 40% off an then you see it's discounted from an initial 90+$ edition.. Yeah Nice try lol

 

[skit_data]

PS store weekend deal is Mass Effect collection for like 48€

Exactly, same thing there. I don’t get it, were Crash Trilogy and Spyro Trilogy remakes this expensive at launch? I bought those just a couple of months after they launch and I swear they weren’t that expensive. €40 at most, these new games are at least €10 more and it feels much more expensive when it comes to these cheaper games. Probably because €10 more amounts to a much larger percentage relatively.

 

[arvfab]

If publishers started to put demos or free trials again on the stores, it would surely help selling their games to the ones sitting on the edge.

If people are not willing to pay "full-price" (whatever the price is!), you are not going to catch them by lowering the initial price.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Yeah for sure. Until then I'll just buy not even a year from release for less than half of it's initial price

It isn't like all of us are starved for games to play lol

Guilty_AI recently bought Aegis Rim on sale for like 20? Maybe 30..

Yeah i checked and it seems to be going for 30$ rn. But honestly that still feels too expensive for me considering the other stuff i have in stock or can buy for half the price instead.

 

[skit_data]

Returnal is a great example of how greed harms the game. The game should've been $50 and would've sold millions! Even people who weren't sure about it, would've buy it only because they'd want to play something on their new PS5. Having it a $70 was a disgrace for the developers and the consumers!

It deserved so much more!

Its possible that it would’ve sold more, no doubt. What I can say with certainty is that I got a hell lot out of that game and I don’t regret one bit that I bought it at launch (outside of a few glitches). I currently have 120 hours or so in it and its probably gonna be one of those games I replay from time to time.

It’s still early this gen, Returnal will have a lot of time in the discount bin and I’m convinced it will keep selling at a slow, nice pace during the entire generation thanks to it being so unique.

 

[Clear]

If everything gets sold at commodity prices, expect commodified content. Its that simple.

In plain language, if you sell at low margins per unit, you need high volume sales to make the risk worthwhile. The problem then becomes that its more financially prudent to spend big and make something aimed squarely at the mass-market, than spend a moderate amount of money developing something a bit edgy or experimental.

This is why AAA has stayed strong while A/B-tier has declined in numbers over the last couple of decades. Most of all its why most big titles are so creatively "safe", and why everyone conforms slavishly to the political fads of the day.

You want better, then you better be prepared to pay for it. Because it aint happening otherwise. GamePass is not a silver bullet, because long-term creatives will still need to get paid, and if you palm the responsibility of funding them off onto the corporate interests that run such services.

Well, all you are doing is empowering them as gate-keepers, and in the end they are just going to be as bottom-line focussed as the rest of big business.

 

[Kupfer]

I would like to buy more indie or second tier games, if there where physical releases. There are many games I'd love to put in the shelf.

 

[junguler]

i think the price of games have to be lowered in general and they should go on sale more frequently and with deeper discounts.

 

[22:22:22]

Yeah i checked and it seems to be going for 30$ rn. But honestly that still feels too expensive for me considering the other stuff i have in stock or can buy for half the price instead.

No I understand. Just saying I was in the same position regarding 13 sentinels and just played the waiting game and I don't think it was going to get any lower (digital) soI seized the moment.

 

[22:22:22]

Exactly, same thing there. I don’t get it, were Crash Trilogy and Spyro Trilogy remakes this expensive at launch? I bought those just a couple of months after they launch and I swear they weren’t that expensive. €40 at most, these new games are at least €10 more and it feels much more expensive when it comes to these cheaper games. Probably because €10 more amounts to a much larger percentage relatively.

Yeah I think they initially use the ultra complete edition for "sales" so it's still relatively expensive

 

[Guilty_AI]

This is why AAA has stayed strong while A/B-tier has declined in numbers over the last couple of decades.

But it hasn't?

 

[K2D]

4th Option: It needs to be easier to try games.

Many games look good, but maybe not $70 good.

5th option: Let me try part of the game for $10 and if I like it give me that amount in discount for the whole game.

 

[Little Chicken]

Maybe a few years ago, now I decide what value I place on software and will purchase accordingly, whether it be full price at launch or 50% in 12 months.

 

[Clear]

But it hasn't?

In the console space, judged in financial/production terms it absolutely has. The centre had collapsed pretty much by the late oughts, whereas in the 90's it made up the majority of releases.

 

[Fart Knight]

Ill wait for it too hit GP

 

[Chromium.Wings]

I'm torn between the "$40-$50 will get me to open up" and "I know what I like" options, but ultimately I chose the $40-$50 will get me to try more. I bought Returnal for the launch $70 purely because it was reviewing well and I wanted something new for my PS5. I ended up loving the game and thinking it was fully worth what I paid (I just finished Act 3 last night), and is the sole reason I put the $40-$50 option. I've never been one to like bullet-hell style games, only roguelike experience beforehand had been COD zombies, and it was a new IP from a studio I knew nothing about. Had the game been $40, I might have pre-ordered it. I definitely plan on hopping on Kena when I can afford it, purely because it looks fun and the price point is pretty sweet.

Generally, by looking at a game's gameplay trailers, I can tell if I'll like it or not. But every now and then games like Returnal come out and open up my taste a little bit.

 

[Ryder]

That's nuts. That's $115 Canadian. Games are $80-90 here depending if the game company upsized the price or not due to next gen.

$115 would get you a special edition version of the game if not even a higher tier version.

For example, Walmart has the PS5 special edition of Horizon FW for $100, and a bit higher Deathloop Deluxe Edition at $110 and GT7 25th Anniversary Edition at $110.

It's only $125 on psn.

Only ps5 exclusives cost that much and retail stores sell them for $110.

Regular 3rd party ps5 games are usually between $80 to $100

 

[TonyK]

30€ is my maximum to buy unknown AA or indie games.