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Namco gets greedy with We <3 Katamari
- Thread starter BuddyC
- Start date
teruterubozu
Member
f_elz said:
Sometimes people confuse a $20-cheap whore for love...
I like it too, but I think
good game (not great) + $19.99 = lotsa love
Maybe they should change to "We Love Katamari (when it's $20)"
TheJollyCorner
Member
AND THE D00DS @ G4 <3 IT!
teruterubozu
Member
dark10x said:
Of course! But you have to wonder if the game would have received as much buzz at $49.99
It wasn't released for $20 in Japan, though. The original price of both games was basically around $50, yet it received most of its praise from this release. Hell, for some of the people that imported, it probably would have cost them $60-70 to buy the game...and they were raving about it.teruterubozu said:
It's strange enough to warrant a lower price point in the US, though. The game was obviously successful enough that Namco believes it can actually get away with a bit more. I honestly don't mind either, as I appreciate their efforts in not only bringing this game abroad but doing so in about the best manner possible (not content modification and high quality packaging).
Looking at your question in regards to the US, however, I would have to say that it would not have received half of the buzz. I do think the excitement would have been about the same on the GAF (for obvious reasons), but the GAF does not represent the majority...
ToyMachine228
Member
A $30 tag definitely hurts it's appeal, but most people that played the first game will probably get the second anyway.
omgimaninja
Member
If you buy the game here in japan, it comes with a free Katamari cell phone strap thingy. It's sooo coool, I want one 
Uncle Dukey
Member
Himuro said:
It never did.
Version 3.0
Member
I was worried it'd be $50. I can take $30. Hell, imagine what a great place the world would be if all new IPs were original, creative, and FUN, and were only $20 at first to try and get an audience, then $30 afterwards. Hell yeah!
What do you mean, man, 70% of the games coming out these days are sequels to something.Mrbob said:
I say, more power to them. $30 is still cheap as hell - it's like $10 in early-90's-money, back when carts were sometimes $70. (Remember SF2 and FF2 / FF3 on the SNES?).
Besides, if the game sells poorly, it's basically telling Namco: "Nah, dawg, fuck your new ideas. Bring out Soul Calibur 12, now with one new playable character. No, that's okay, we'll pay the $60 -- after all, it's next-gen!"
Wario64 said:
Your cheap ass skillz will get you this game for $20 then
I can't believe there are still people bitching about this (not you wario, i know you're kidding but the others). People who are claiming they won't be buying this at $30.. would you have actually bought it at $20? I don't think so, you weren't going to get it anyway. $10 is nothing.
The_Sorrow
Banned
The first one was fun but this is way to similar. They should've waited an extra year. I get the Viewtiful Joe 2 syndrome for this. The first one was a success but they release the sequel to soon after and its to much of the same.
Man I can't believe how selfish YOU guys are. $30 for a game is nothing. If it's a good game, you should support it.
Honestly you guys bitch about there not being enough unique/quirky titles. Then when they come along, and for only $30 (!), you bitch about Namco taking advantage since the original was only $20.
They both should've been $50, and if you support such titles, you'd buy them at that price regardless.
Cheap fucks.
Honestly you guys bitch about there not being enough unique/quirky titles. Then when they come along, and for only $30 (!), you bitch about Namco taking advantage since the original was only $20.
They both should've been $50, and if you support such titles, you'd buy them at that price regardless.
Cheap fucks.
Doom_Bringer
Banned
the music alone is worth $30.
The Faceless Master
Member
i waited till vjoe 2 hit $20 and i'll do the same for WLK...
distantmantra
Member
The_Sorrow said:
The Japanese version had been out for a while prior to North America seeing a release, so it's more than a year between games.
krypt0nian
Banned
I'd easily pay $50.....
bobbyconover
Member
Tain said:
Weren't you just saying a couple days ago that you don't even own a US PS2?
At any rate, I'm glad this thread exists. It's doing a great job of quickly identifying all of the fucking tools on GAF. I'm making a list! I still think (hope) that BuddyC's initial post was meant as a joke, though.
JackFrost2012
Banned
I seriously hope all you motherfuckers are joking... Katamari 1 was $20 because it was a new IP that they wanted people to try. $30 for the sequel (with all new soundtrack and TONS more levels and content) is hardly extortion, especially when both games are $45 in Japan. If you don't buy a fantastic and creative game because it's only $20 cheaper than other games instead of $30 cheaper ($30/$40 vs. next-gen), then we might as well all fold up and go home because the gaming industry is fucked.
Either you're boycotting it to get Namco to release Namco x Capcom in NA or you're boycotting it because it's PS2 exclusive. Or you could just not plan on buying it and say you're boycotting it. Whichever one works for you.Unison said:
I'll pick this up for $30 easily. The soundtrack is worth the extra ten bucks. Now I only wish that we'd get some crazy pre-order deal like Japan.
Rest assured bobby and JackFrost2012, mine was indeed a post of satire and sarcasm. I even threw in a little hidden message had anyone quoted the initial post.bobbyconover said:
That's also why sad purple blob is on page one, because some people took the post seriously and seriously agreed with what it said
BuddyC said:Remember how Katamari Damacy was only $20?
Quoted for truth.
I wasn't sure WTF Katamari Damacy was, but it was $20 new so I grabbed it. SUCH AN AWESOME GAME. Dunno if I'll pick up We <3 Katamari at launch, but that has more to do with my wallet than with anything against Namco.
Seriously, here's a message for all the Katamari trolls:
Nathan
Kurosaki Ichigo
Member
So you get it for 30$ (24) in September, and I will probably get it for 60 (74$) months later....are you the ones complaining? :/
FortNinety
Member
I love it when folks agree with a joke post.
I'd pay $50 for the damn game btw.
I'd pay $50 for the damn game btw.
D
Deleted member 284
Unconfirmed Member
I knew there was no way you were serious (I love your sarcastic nature Buddy), but it was really funny seeing everyone go apeshit with you.BuddyC said:Rest assured bobby and JackFrost2012, mine was indeed a post of satire and sarcasm. I even threw in a little hidden message had anyone quoted the initial post.
That's also why sad purple blob is on page one, because some people took the post seriously and seriously agreed with what it said
GitarooMan
Member
miyuru said:
People can argue all they want about it worth 20, 30, 40, or 50 dollars (everyone has their own opinion) but the fact remains that raising prices on niche games like this will likely spell trouble sales wise in the US. What is sells for in Japan is irrelevent to what it should sell for in the US if Namco wants another success. They are different markets with different tastes and different price markets (i.e, nearly everything is more expensive in Japan, GBA games go for 40 dollars plus).
Everybody knows that hardcore gamers discussing this game on a message board will buy the game for 50 dollars. The more interesting question is whether Namco will be able to sell 250k at 29.99, because to sell that many, you've got to bring in non-hardcore audiences. I think it's valid point to wonder if they sales will suffer, regardless of the quality of the game itself.
I'll certainly pick it up at 29.99, but my personal opinion is that Namco US may be a little too confident about the mainstream market for this game. And yes, it's obvious 10 dollars is nothing to us who spend a ridiculous amount a year on games, but it is something to a casual gamer deciding between Jak 3 greatest hits and We Love Katamari. My original post was aimed more at wondering how mainstream (i.e, not GA posters) sales would be affected
JackFrost2012
Banned
Yeah, don't worry Buddy, I knew you were kidding. Cause you're a righteous dude. These other fellows, though...