WoggyOne
127484
4750
57
Dec 30, 2020 11:41 AM
WoggyOne
127484
4750
57
Arget
Everything is cheap if you don't give a shit and pirate it. Can't justify dropping 60€ for a 5 to 10h experience.
Chaimgoldbergenstein
Buy a game if you want to support the developer; for everything else, just put on your tricorne and set sail.
CaptainRajah
Physical stock depreciates in value bc time and shelf space so retail wanna shift it. Got deluxe disk for 10 but digital price still 80. 1/2
OhNoNotThatGuyQuickEverybodyHide
Depends on what it is, in the short term prices are sticky and only change after some time, but the change is dependent on demand.
CaptainRajah
2/2 you're right though it should be cheaper, but why would they?
HippityDippity
Well said.
officialmemepolice
This is actually the reason, nice job
BikerMikefromMars
You must not live in a capitalist society, here they usually charge MORE for anything that's good for the environment
MrBobSaget
largely because they cost more to produce
ImNotActuallyEvilAfterAll
The cost of things in the developed economies has mostly to do with what people are willing to pay for it, not what it costs to produce.
MrBobSaget
consumption cost =/= production cost. For a consumer, the supply is how much the producer made, and if there is more demand than supply then
MrBobSaget
yes, prices go up. However, in the production chain for something like organic, free range cows, for instance, supply comes down to things
MrBobSaget
like land (it takes more land to raise free range), human capital (it takes more labor hours to raise free range, etc. All of those factors
MrMoogleButts
None of these guys are right so far if theyre in the us, retailers threatend to not stock games if their digital counter parts were cheaper
ReginaKasteen
Why would they waste shelf space on something that's not going to sell?
drduffer
Similar problems with e-books. Why shouldn’t I be able to loan a book to a friend?
TrumpSuxIvankastoeslikechillidogs
Overdrive my dude
TPope
Overdrive works for yourself, but it would be nice to be able to share a book you own instead of trying to talk a friend into downloading 1/
TPope
a new app, hooking it up to their library card, and hoping their library has the book you're recommending and doesn't have a waitlist
xHeroOfTimexx
Things are worth what people are willing to pay, they know you want the game and will charge what they want. They don’t care if we save $
luciferian669
You should be able to sell digital copies
CallieOpal
Video game publishers:
ComicSansHumor
The most expensive part isn't the case. It's the development.
ImNotActuallyEvilAfterAll
And the price is almost completely dependent on what people are willing to pay for it.
CatsUpvoteTerror
You pay for the game not the installation medium.
healthpickup
Retailers keep up the price of digital sales so they can remain competitive. This won't change as long as retail represents a significant...
healthpickup
...portion of games sales. Digital storefronts kinda work around this by having continuous sales and discounts even on new games.
Immutablespellingderp
Profit.
kiddub
The people who develop games should be treated fairly but I want games to be cheaper.
Ahroo
If they did that it would undercut market retail then retail wouldn't play ball w. Them anymore
deathandtaxes1
I don’t buy new games because not even 2 months later the games are on sale and sometimes they are half price. And remember, no preorders!
Richter12x2
The main reason I still buy disks. Books over ebooks too. If they were cheaper then I'd be for digital.
TaxiGhoul
"Music should be free because it's just sounds"
AzgarOgly
Indeed.
ValkyriaChronicles
Steam sales and GOG ftw.
CloudStrife668
GOG used to be free(when it first started up). Also yes, fuck Steam.
Dragon10449
GOG is still free as far as im aware, and steam even allows u to redeem game keys obtained from other sites like GOG at no cost, basically
Dragon10449
Making them no profit but still letting u keep all ur games in one place and organized. I dont believe epic allowed that at all, plus their
Dragon10449
Shitty exclusive buying bullshit and their Chinese Spyware launcher are both serious redflags they are the FB of the gaming world
davaloha
Only place I could find Nox after I lost the physical copy years ago!
CloudStrife668
Thank God I am not the only one who played that back in the day. Twas a fun top-down rpg/dungeon crawler.
davaloha
It was amazing, the best spontaneous splurge on a game in the shop, so many hours spent on it and all of them well spent:)
CloudStrife668
Did they ever make a sequel?
davaloha
Unfortunately not as the Westwood studio was no more not long after that game
4sambucas
humble bundle, epic store, ubi soft(lol)
thespyisdead
Both a blessing and a curse
Habitman
Don't forget really cheap keys for games on G2A and CDkeys dot com and free good games weekly on Epic game (new game daily until new years)
abyssfiend1
G2A is a gamble at times, might want to be a tad bit careful.
MinnesotaMathew
amount of games isn't great yet, but stadia has had a lot of sales lately and works great now. no issues playing cyberpunk so far
ThisIsThePlaceWhereIBelong
and fuck Epic
Camelspotting
Nah, we really don't need monopolies.
spookyu
Then support GOG and not Tencent spyware.
Camelspotting
I do both of those things.
MrHailstone
Hard, with an rusty iron stick.
mroranges
I mean, I got Civ 6 for free...
MCNewYorkLives
But...they do free games
spookyu
Yeah, and they've got a huge portion of their company owned by Tencent. It's basically tiktok with free games to encourage you.
spookyu
Been a fair bit of evidence that the epic games launcher is malicious in how it obtains data and utilizes computing resources.
roskapoika
I'm ignorant on the subject, why fuck Epic?
MrHailstone
Many people say spyware and shit. I just care about the fact that those dicks get games exclusive on their shitty plattform. Fuck em
GodOfTheBumbleBees
A Chinese tech company is the majority owner of Epic Games. So people get mad. But they also own Discord, Riot Games, parts of Ubisoft...
spookyu
All true, but epic launcher had shown evidence of malicious behavior in regard to data collection and hijacking computing resources.
JellybellyBushroot
I currently possess 79 games through Epic for which I never paid a cent for.
spookyu
I can download more games than that, for free, and legitimately without installing what amounts to spyware.
Dragon10449
So? If those are all f2p games then theyre probably shit and if they arent then take a guess at how they can afford to just give out free
Dragon10449
Game codes to their users? Data mining, selling data, hijacking processing power, etc. Their run by tencent so who knows what shit they take
JellybellyBushroot
GTA V, Borderlands 2 + the Pre-Sequel, ARK, Cities: Skylines, Civ VI, Watchdogs 2, Elite Dangerous, Alien Isolation, Metro 2033 Redux, etc..
ogbiggnutz
Whats GOG?
EmilioThePanda
Good old games
Melusin
A very racist, very misogynist, very transphobic Polish company, that sells video games online
IMainReinhardt
https://www.reddit.com/r/LowSodiumCyberpunk/comments/kmsevn/so_im_a_trans_girl_playing_cyberpunk/
Dragon10449
Go back to the hate encrusted slanderous subreddit from whence you crawled out of cunt and stop spreading youre false hate filled narrative
Dragon10449
U know their most recent game LITERALLY allows you to create a transgendered character to which they defended the choice when attacked.
Dragon10449
And their last game had some of the most powerful female main characters in any modern game with the most powerful being in the world being
zifnab12
Sauce?
IMainReinhardt
https://www.reddit.com/r/LowSodiumCyberpunk/comments/kmsevn/so_im_a_trans_girl_playing_cyberpunk/
IMainReinhardt
This was posted over on the subreddit where people are actually enjoying the game without bitching about everything.
Dragon10449
They have none as its bullshit. Maybe some far left crazy SJW anti gaming subreddit post mad they won't bend the knee but nothing factual
IMainReinhardt
That's why you got to go to the low sodium version. There's even a post on that subreddit by a trans girl playing the game.
Yurets1257
A Polish company which initially sold many old school games but properly ported to new OS. All games sold there are DRM Free
Ruscion
I mean, it’s CD Projekt Red
afgncap
It's just CD Projekt, CD Project Red is just a part of the company, development studio.
ChrisHemsworthsBulge
Not all new games are DRM free on GOG fyi
Yurets1257
I need more info on this heresy!
AltoPrincess
I'm sorry, can you tell me what DRM is? Serious question. Thanks in advance. :)
steppers
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management
steppers
Imagine buying a new game as a car, but it has a special lock that stays forever and locks the car if you try to sell it or share it.
trekxtrider
But the developer worked the same no matter how you consume the content. That and managing digital content on a global scale isn't cheap.
abigmoosenamedjerb
When companies do things that save money, the savings don't pass on to the customers. They just go into the ceo's pocket.
MrBobSaget
*some* companies
VonZinzer
*shareholders' pockets
abigmoosenamedjerb
Them too
IsolatedAsshole
I can't remember the last time I paid $60 for a game. Just got Doom Eternal for <$20, and that only came out in March. Patience, folks.
GothicLez
Digital copies should cost less because they're better for the environment? I don't see the direct relation there.
AzgarOgly
People are mixing up economy and environmentalism. They wish "green ways" where cheaper. It is opposite usually. Not in this case though.
Yurets1257
Digital copies do not include price for production of CDs, artworks, manuals, and CD boxes. It's probably not that much though
MrBobSaget
Unpopular opinion: video games are not overpriced. There is not a form of digital medium out there that provides more entertainment per
MrBobSaget
dollar spent. People pay 20 dollars to see a 2 hour movie once. But complain at spending 60 dollars on something they spend 600-1000
RUFingKiddingMe
100%!! I've been saying this for years whenever I hear people bitch about the price of new games. Dollar for dollar, it's amazingly cheap.
Ark161
so what is the bare minimum cost/benefit? how many $/hr can be justified? if 80hr game is .75/hr, would paying on a per hour basis work?
RUFingKiddingMe
That's not even close to the point. Some of these gaming budgets blow away major motion picture $$ and there's many more
RUFingKiddingMe
hours of entertainment. Not the same equation.
MrBobSaget
hours playing with friends.
MrBobSaget
You could argue that streaming services are cheaper per hour spent, but you don't own any of that content, and most of them are struggling
MrBobSaget
to make a profit, so it remains to be seen if the streaming service model is a viable alternative to ownership model of digital content.
skipdipdippitydoo
Agreed. People want new, quality entertainment, and they want to pay pennies for it. Media makers need an income. Making games is hard work.
Ark161
you can fill notebooks with a single 50 cent pencil.Also, cost/value basis could justify $200 games, dangerous road to go down.
TallDude
Heck, even a 20-40 hour game play is a lot of entertainment time.
MrBobSaget
absolutely. Plus, you can either sell your game to make some of it back, or depending on the title, you can replay it for an entirely
MrBobSaget
experience, or get additional content to extend the life of the game later on in DLCs.
Kaspear
Bruh where do you live where you pay 20 bucks to see a movie
JCBalance
One ticket and a popcorn is $20 basically everywhere.
Kaspear
popcorn isn't 10 bucks even at the movies, and honestly paying for food at the theatre is pretty bad planning anyways.
JCBalance
Small popcorn is $6.89 at the AMC. Adult ticket $13.
ferrybig
I typically buy my movies at thrift stores, typically max 1 euro for 1 movie, but there are deals like 5 movies for 1 euro
MrBobSaget
It's certainly interesting how as the market shifts from ownership to streaming services, the cost for the older tech has plummeted. It's a
MrBobSaget
good time to be someone who likes buying hard copies of movies. Though I suspect in 10 years, blue rays will be like records are today, very
MrBobSaget
expensive niche products. You'll be able to buy used ones, but it'll become less and less frequent, and no new hardware will be manufactured
Lierofox
As a new Switch owner, I just paid 49 dollars for a new physical copy of a game that was online for 59 dollars.
freewithmusic
What game did you buy, friend?
Lierofox
Super Mario Maker 2
noxdracoria
if you are willing to wait the digital store gets sales regularly, got most of my games for 50-75 % off so far (also buy used from EB games)
LurkingAtTheOffice
Nintendo's rule that all the games they sell are offered at the same MSRP therefore $60 digital game is because of cost to make physical
CyberAkuma
Last year I tried checking out an Xbox360 digital-only game that came out in 2009 to see how much it cost now.... it was still launch price.
idownvotekittens
Worse is when you buy the disc, get it home, and you need to pay full price for the expansion packs to be able to play with your pals.
CyberAkuma
Yeah, like I was saying, the DLC is even stingier about dropping in price, likely because they KNOW you can't buy it physical in most cases.
triccer
With how easy it is to hack it (1 bent paperclip), and how expensive 1:st party "demos" are, I'm really surprised more people don't.
Lierofox
Are the newer ones still vulnerable to exploits? I soft-modded my Wii, haven't looked into the modding options for Switches.
TrumpSuxIvankastoeslikechillidogs
Yeah, I bought Cyberpunk from Amazon (a physical case, map, etc, with just a GOG code) for $10 cheaper than a digital retailer.
bigthoughtshappen
Switch annoys me. Oh it’s 3 year old game? $60 bucks. Always. Their gouge their base on game prices the most. Rare sales. It’s pretty bad
wombatwobble
It costs them no retail space to keep a game at that price
OnePieceRoboFranky
Chances are if the game isn't new you can get a physical copy of said game cheaper at retail vs nintendo's digital copy.
throwaway22133742
My work gives employee discounts on physical switch games but not digital. Love that.
sordatos
Dude, Nintendo is notorious for their lack of discounts
Kawasakison
Yeah, this is so frustrating. I bought a large SD card for the Switch, with the intention of going all digital. It's cheaper to buy physical
headseamstress
What you playing?
Lierofox
Just picked up Super Mario Maker 2
SaxaphoneWalrus
Bought one of the Battlefield games a while ago from Amazon, was like £10 cheaper than buying through EA's own platform.
HippieMoosen
It's one of the problems with Nintendo. I love their games and the switch is a great console, but their digital copies are always full price
headseamstress
Just bought a switch and I can't believe that I am just not saving by downloading... Ah well, let's hope it still helps with the depression
RipleysBelieveItOrDie
Careful, Nintendo might choose to send private investigators after you too.
Lierofox
I mean, if they wanna get on my case for buying the game on Amazon they can take it sideways.
iquestionthepinappleeveryday
Not to be a bitch about it... but if you want to game all the time why is it someone else’s fault? I love my Switch and play it when I can/
iquestionthepinappleeveryday
If I want a new game I pay for it or wait until I can. I enjoyed golfing once, but recognized I didn’t enjoy golfing enough to invest2/3
iquestionthepinappleeveryday
That kind of money into that entertainment. So I didn’t do it often because it wasn’t worth it. Not blame the golf course.
iquestionthepinappleeveryday
And disc golf is free almost everywhere. And 2-5 bucks where they actually charge.
dumbsonny
I, too, am a Walmart shopper.
Lierofox
Oh I grabbed it on Amazon, it'll be here tomorrow.
spongerX
It's cheaper for me cos to import a physical game to my country is intl shipping, 20% duty and 17.5% VAT vs VPN and digital download
HighSorcerer
I got most of my ps4 games on disc for $15-20 cheaper than their digital alternatives.
PotatoLauncher
I want a switch so much. :(
OnePieceRoboFranky
Used ones sell at a decent price.
Robowitz
Still waiting for Nintendo to drop the price on Breath of the Wild. One of the first games for switch and still $80 as a Digital copy...
RyanHaynes
I think Walmart has a special deal. The games are cheaper there than anywhere else
ArthurPhillipDent
Because even though its cheaper + easier for them. They also know youll. Pay for the cpnvenience of not having to put andisc in everytime
AfterTheRainComesTheRainbow
I wanted to get the expansion pass for Pokemon shield and it's $45 for me now. It was $30 When I got the game Xmas day...
OhNoNotThatGuyQuickEverybodyHide
Price is based on what people will pay, not how much it costs!
Sterrewiggelary
Am I correct in thinking Nintendo purposely charge high prices on their stores as to not undercut physical stores?
BearToof
They sell it to the store for a certain price and have a recommended MSRP. However, the store can sell it for as expensive or cheap as
BearToof
They want. I don’t really think it’s Nintendo being particularly greedy. This is a common thing. Same with ebooks vs physical copies
scruffylookingnerfherder
Nah, they do it because they can. Nintendo is very anti-consumer but the majority of consumers see them as the good guy so no change happens
thebigman1106
The same reason I bought the disc version of the ps5 + you can buy 2nd hand games
PoopSammich
Didnt xbox try this shit at the launch of the XBone and everyone lost it? Didnt hear a peep about it when they both did it for this new gen
thebigman1106
Yeah Microsoft said, once you put a disc in, that disc is paired to your console and cannot be borrowed or sold on to another person.
TrumpSuxIvankastoeslikechillidogs
Or rent them from the library, redbox, etc
GeneralWho
I always buy physical on Switch whenever possible. Switch cartridges hold their value well and I've sold some for more than I paid for them!
Lierofox
I'm an old fart and was wary of the concept of "digital only games" ever since Steam launched. "But bro, no more discs taking up space!">
Lierofox
> "Uh...yeah, no more games that you physically own and can still play even when their servers go offline, or you lose internet."
GeneralWho
Well the nice thing about Steam is that it can be played offline and it's been helpful in managing a (humblebrag, sorry) massive library.
GeneralWho
I prefer my console games physical, for sure, but digital has been super convenient in that aspect. I do have some problems with conceding
Lierofox
I mean I can't deny I've accumulated ~400 games I'll probably never play in the... *checks* 17 years I've been using Steam. ...BUT STILL!
andwings2go
Yup. Need to get my nieces another copy of ACNH. $50 in stores out of stock $60 download. Fuggin crooks lol
NoIdidntsayAbeLincolnIsaidHeyBlinkin
Just got this, played on my account for 3 days before realizing any extended play is limited if I didn't pay for another online subscription
NoIdidntsayAbeLincolnIsaidHeyBlinkin
My husband has an online subscription & doesn't play this game, but I couldn't use his. What a fucking scam.
asmodeusYrZero
Remember: even if you have a second copy of the game, they will still be forced to play on the same island if they use the same console.
andwings2go
Already bought the second switch but thanks for heads up
TheOneWhoSucks
This. If "needing" to get them another copy is so they can each have their own file, you're looking at another Switch, not game.
Seemskind
My wife and I share a switch and use different Nintendo IDs. This gives us different islands
wipethatfaceoffyourheadbitch
That’s what I was wondering. It’s the part where you select the user after the home screen, right?
Seemskind
Exactly! And we even use the same copy of ACNH
andwings2go
Why does every site that discusses this online say that isn’t possible? Nintendo is even getting a ton of flak about it
Seemskind
I think it’s poor research from the journalists but yeah she definitely has a drastically different island than I do.
VonLiptonSchtein
That's really weird. Here they are the exact same price in stores or digital. Are you sure it isn't a used copy or something?
PianoMan2112
I see it here all the time at large online retailers. I also saw the Switch is a PITA to swap cartridges, making the $10 seem worth it.
PianoMan2112
Pretty sure I’m gonna snap the lid off the cartridge slot someday.
VonLiptonSchtein
Oh yeah, I'm terrified I'll break it. I'm pretty sure I've screwed up my smash copy. It still works, but doesn't fit well anymore
andwings2go
I guess it’s just Walmart that lists them $50 but all out. I’ll just get one at GameStop for $60. Thanks!
meowarina
(Ask about price matching when you go into gamestop, some of us do that now)
UltraLincoln
I really want 1-2 Switch but Nintendo refuses to lower the price. $50 for a tech demo?
TheOneWhoSucks
Should have been a pack-in. I love my Switch, but no way I'm buying that. Said it yourself, it's a tech demo, I wouldn't even pay $5 for it.
whooptydoo
DiRT Rally is a tech demo, easily worth the $40 or so dollars it launched at. Tech demo != incomplete game
Drenathar
I snagged a physical copy on eBay for $20 a couple years ago. Worth it because it was something even my non gaming family members enjoyed.
Drenathar
But definitely not worth the full price. As others have said, it should have been bundled in like wii sports was.
DBHAShadow
Ugh I know, some games like Breath of the wild and Odyssey are still 80 bucks despite their age! (unless you catch them on esale)
bigthoughtshappen
Which Nintendo almost NEVER have esales on major titles
TheLastUnicornImAliiiive
I I rarely pay full price for a game but man BoTW is worth every single penny.
bigthoughtshappen
Nintendo is notorious for never dropping prices. Games 8 years old? 60 bucks new. 3ds discontinued? Games full price.
DBHAShadow
It's why I own so few games for my switch. I'd love to have some of the Mario's and breath of the wild, but not for 80 bucks (CAD)
bigthoughtshappen
Yeah it’s absurd. Botw is almost 4 years old and is still full price.
bigthoughtshappen
Also everyone else had big winter sales.. Nintendo’s just like “here’s some indie games I guess”
Fuzzycat16
That's because Nintendo is greedy AF and never does any sale. Stores are a bit different.
shinagami091
Also their in house titles like Mario and Zelda seldom drop in price. Even after their next console releases
jetzzfan
Why does a business need to do a sale?
UnagiFerrin
They do do sales but generally not on their high selling IP like Mario or Zelda
DeadPanPizza
Ha, you said do-do
UnagiFerrin
Lol right? English is a crazy and stupid language lol
Magus25
I hate that Nintendo games never go down from release price, then if you don't buy it you end up paying more when they stop producing them.
otiumCatulli
It's not about greed per se, its their pricing strategy. You don't discount premium.
stardewvalley28
I’ve benefited from some great sales on the eshop
roaddogg
There are eShop sales constantly... I have yet to pay full price for a game.
Canofminus
They do sales, I picked up Link’s Awakening (digital download) for $20 off during thanksgiving.
Drmantis84
Wow! An old game for 20 dollars off. Nintendo does spoil us!!
ThaWhiteRanger
Same. That reminds me. I haven't even started it. Ha.
CyberAkuma
Digital on all consoles is crap, rarely have sales, prices stay high, and digital-only games/dlc almost NEVER drops in price.
halftheisland1987
That's literally not true at all, I've got PS4 and Switch and like 90% of the games I have on both are digital and bought cheap during sales
CyberAkuma
I have never almost seen a game be cheaper digital than on sale, and even if the main game goes on sale, the DLC tends to stay expensive.
sordatos
In Nintendo I agree, in all others that's just not true
[deleted]
[deleted]
sordatos
Oh good ONE example.
yaboiskinnypeen
Usually nintendo dictates when stores go on sale though. Nintendo do be greedy AF.
RyanAndTheQuestForWorldDomination
If a store wants to move inventory they can sell it however they want. Nintendo already got their money from them lol.
chefsoda
Many media companies have sales contracts that define not just sales prices, but when & by how much prices can be reduced.
Wh1teF1re
this, not just media though. anywhere there is a continuous supply and sale of products between multiple party's
UmamiMama
Disney of gaming
joinusjoinusjoinus
texasfoodman
Nintendo is justified in wanting a healthy r&d budget.
atleastfourcharactersinlength
Somewhat justified. Good goals, not always great execution.
sordatos
Fuck off, of it were any other company you would say they suck, but since is Nintendo it has this bening aurua
texasfoodman
You’re assuming I would do that and you are incorrect. Hell I don’t even own any Nintendo stuff.
Imronburgandy
Really? That hasn’t been my experience. I only buy games for the Switch when they’re on sale, and there are sales all the time.
TheNaykid
The walmart in my area sells ALL physical Switch games for $10 less. It incentivizes buying from them instead. It works.
glacialbae
I thought that that said "$10 or less" and I was about to call BS.
Forobviousreasons
Mostly third party games are on sale. They do specials for some games during anniversaries but I never see 1st party games on sale for them.
JAPONfan
It's seems you don't understand economics. Why sell you a shit for 5 buck when they can sell you it for 10?
johnwohl
Arguing over how much a piece of shit should cost. How very American.
SheTurnedMeIntoANewtButIGotBetter
I see you also went to the S. R. Hadden school of government spending.
CasualBoulder
Why pay you $40 an hour when you will work for $15? Economics can work however we want it too, just have to add more tools and rules.
1block
I don't understand. Are you saying people pay 160% above the market value for work?
CaptLionard
Why buy it for $10 when you can buy it for $5?
1block
IDK but they do, so the price won't change.
JAPONfan
Bite me, I still don't get why pay full price for betaaplha game when you can buy it for 30% when it's patched and with mods.
DrSchlepenstein
Also there is no disc, no case, no booklet, and no cover art so those costs no longer exist. But companies justify the identical pricing 1/
DrSchlepenstein
as its now a convenience fee for being able to download it straight to your console/pc.
thefitsith101
I do Xbox share with my brother-in-law and we always go half and half on new games.
ImNotActuallyEvilAfterAll
Another tactic would be to buy 2 slightly older games.
REDisRAD
Because the actual printing of a game disc + case costs like $1 max. You're paying for development, publishing, and their profits. 1/2
BatmansUnderPantsAreSoSoft
Half development*** everything is released unfinished these days
CyberAkuma
On top of shipping and shelf cost others mentioned, there is also the fact that you can't resell it being it worth far less.
Richter12x2
There may be economies of scale, but as someone who worked in DVD authoring for training videos, it was more like $4.
Evi1Gav
Once you are printing in the tens of thousands, the price per disk is pence, as are the cases.
Colopty
Also the storefronts (like Steam) take a cut of the profits so it's not like the developers don't pay for the distribution of their games.
haroldmann
Definitely unnecessary plastic
DeaconJon
Yeah but with the digital only copy they can sell it to you and still have it.
Cyberpope67
you can buy ANY DVD (movie, OS, game) in Hong Kong for 16c-CAD ($1.00HKD)
SupremeCookie
You're also paying a cut to the store for distributing
INeedMoreGifMeMoreJustOneMore
Nope, you're paying for middlemen (factory, transport, store,...) who all want a cut.
rollerskateorgies
It's simpler. All of the costs saved by going digital are paid to the platform it's sold on. E.g. Steam. It's why they keep trying to make
rollerskateorgies
their own digital stores.
AlexBelezjaks
Physical copy is very expensive actually, especially on Switch. It's manufacturing, logistic, publishing, devs don't make much on physical
REDisRAD
Printing Blu-ray discs is cheap af. Logistics per unit are cheap. Publishing I already covered and agreed that's one of the big ones. 1/2
REDisRAD
Switch probably uses a proprietary media format which would explain higher manufacturing costs. 2/2
GSCultist
Switch absolutely does which is why games in it cost more.
INeverWaitForIt
Last I heard, and this was several years back, the physical cost of a game was around $17 dollars/unit (for a $60 game). What should really
INeverWaitForIt
annoy people are PC games costing the same as console games as PC games don't have to pay the $10 fee to Sony/MS/etc to use the platform, so
INeverWaitForIt
it's just an extra $10 in profit for the publisher.
LarvaLamp
God forbid a company should make money off the non-essential goods and services they offer.
yesithinkishall
Steam takes 30 percent of every sale
Neoeon
Shipping and market shelf cost actually.
REDisRAD
Not "actually" but including. Right but shipping is cheap per unit and marketing budget varies by title. Dev + publishing are fixed costs.
Cyberpope67
Dev is cheap but profit markup is huge on every layer of costing. . .
MrOsmo
Or you could do away with publishers all together since you're no longer worried about producing physical content and stocking shelves and
MrOsmo
Then the developer can get paid directly for sales instead of having an unnecessary middle man and you could make games cheaper
healthpickup
Every step in the chain takes their share. The 30% that Steam used to take was a bargain compared to retail.
healthpickup
But the likes of Walmart use their market share to force digital copies to cost the same as physical. Won't play ball? That's over half...
healthpickup
...your sales gone since they won't carry your games anymore.
Cyberpope67
Gates likely gets 1,500% markup on their games
ObscureReferencing
Steam takes straight up 30% fee. I think selling in a lot of stores is cheaper.
REDisRAD
Also, digital copies suffer from retail monopolies / price cartels, and the cost of AAA game development has increased over years. 2/2
ThatNoPicklePeeThatNoPumpARum
How does boot taste? "they cost more" as every AAA company has record profits every year.... hmmm... maybe the price should increase? Haha.
ICantThinkOfAU
Also many discs (on consoles) nowadays are essentially just a CD key. They don’t contain the entire game and can’t be shared in many cases
Wildcore
But.. AAA games are trash tho.
Wildcore
coronakilla
Ahem...Anthem
DagrMine
no
JustSomePersonThere
What’s Anthem, again?
Wildcore
A prime example of trash.
coronakilla
I cant believe I bought that shit. Havent preordered ever since
REDisRAD
I prefer indie games too but there are some really good AAA titles out there.
Yacobs21
Hi! You can eat shit. The price of AAA has gone up over the years but the market that buys those games has increased by significantly 1/
[deleted]
[deleted]
Yacobs21
You said the price of the physical copy justifies costs. But AAA games disproportionately favor CEOs and mtx makes a large part of revenue
REDisRAD
No, I said the opposite. The price of physical copy doesn't justify costs. Development + publishing + profit make up (not justify) the costs
Yacobs21
more. Which alone would set off the price of development. Or if CEO's stopped increasing their own pay disproportionately, we could pay 2/
Yacobs21
devs more and keep the costs lower than they were years ago. Guess what? We're paying what we're told to, not the cost of development : ) /3
Yacobs21
Oh imgur, you hypocritical old bat. You all have also forgotten about micro transactions, that thing you hate so much and also spits in 1/
Yacobs21
https://www.statista.com/topics/3436/gaming-monetization/
Yacobs21
https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/11/03/activision-blizzard-microtransactions-netted-over-12-billion-last-quarter
Yacobs21
http://videogamelayoffs.com/
Yacobs21
https://europeangaming.eu/portal/latest-news/2020/02/04/63407/ea-earns-nearly-1-billion-from-microtransactions-last-quarter/
Yacobs21
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/video-game-ceo-pay/?amp
Tyco2
Yes but if you are buying a license of a game copywrite you should be able to sell your copy. Key or disc.
Ark161
Terms and conditions broseph, it is all in their and you are forced to agree to use the product. sucks but that is what we allowed to happen
Tyco2
Eh just because its in terms and conditions doesn't mean its untouchable. Clauses can get struck down. Courts find things to be unreasonable
Tyco2
Of course someone would have to be upset enough to challenge it. Maybe a consumer rights group somewhere one day.
Tyco2
We chose is a little off. The platforms are directing development towards digital only, likely whether we want it or not.
Tyco2
Now I know microsoft isn't going to voluntarily create a virtual second hand market. I would be curious to see if they must legally allow
Tyco2
One if another party were to develop one.
VodkaReindeer
Isn't that what microsoft wanted to do with xbox one but had to backtrack because everyone hated it? lol
Tyco2
I dunno. I suppose as a middle man they may not care where they take a cut, although that might piss off developers.
Neoeon
DECREASED actually. Engines like Unity and so forth have made development of top tier games cheap and affordable for indie devs.
ICantThinkOfAU
AAA games aren’t made on unity, they’re normally made in-house. And that’s the shit that’s REALLY expensive. It’s why game 1 may take 6 1/2
Neoeon
Bullshit. AAA games are made on any platform, third party party engine, customized third party engine, or in house, or console dev kit,
Neoeon
which are generally a pain in the arse to work with. Source: Im an indie dev who is indie because the AAA studios are bastards who crunch
ICantThinkOfAU
years but the sequel may only take 1 or 2 2/2
REDisRAD
I said the cost of AAA game development has increased - not indie. But you're right about indie dev costs having decreased.
Neoeon
And I didnt say I was only talking about indie devs. AAA games ARE made in Unity. And UE4. And DirectX. I should know, seeing as Im a Dev.
RyanAndTheQuestForWorldDomination
Yes. Steam is exhibit a taking 30% of sales.
hotstuffburns
Steam, Xbox and psn all take 30% I don’t know about GOG. Then epic taking 10%. I
dReDone
Epic is taking less from Devs and giving away free games!
JonnyEl
And forces customers to purchase from their store during launch + multiple years after due to paid exclusivity. That's pretty anti-consumer.
dReDone
I haven't been forced to do anything. Not sure what you are talking about!
loth1c
and don't offer even close to what steam does
dReDone
Yeah but they give devs more money so that will change as devs will be motivated to use them!
Camelspotting
Who cares? You can buy stuff and launch games. For anything else discord is better.
N00k
And spies on your system much more than Steam!
CyberAkuma
Except 30% has been the industry standard for years, Epic only tried to make it a big deal to use as an attack campaign against Steam.
RyanAndTheQuestForWorldDomination
Yeah, but xbox and PlayStation gets you on the console. Steam didn’t develop the PC so the associated skimming should not match.
Camelspotting
Yes that's what a cartel is thanks.
CyberAkuma
Are you seriously trying to say that every digital storefront on the planet is a cartel?
MoepsDump
On GOG all games are DRM free so you can share them ;)
JofD
On Gog...
juliusssss
DRM free doesn't mean that you can share, that depends on the T & C you "signed" when you purchased the item.
LivingDecomposition
That's more about whether you should share. It's only illegal if you get caught
juliusssss
You're right!! ;)
wekilledbambi03
DRM free simply means they won’t stop you with software. It’s still very illegal to distribute copyrighted materials without permission.
EtiolatedRaven
GOG?
IFoldlyGo
gog.com = good old games (but they do have some newer ones)
UncleMeaty
And you can get Metro: Last Light Redux for free right now.
ThomasThundersword
DRM free so they don’t stop you from sharing them. doesn’t mean you *can* just like the candy bins at stores. there isn’t a fire standing>
ThomasThundersword
a guard* standing there to stop you. so you *could* just pocket them. but you reallly shouldn’t.
DecapodianSaysWoopWoopWoopWoop
No, you can not.
Doggoarchivar
funny side note
Noevilgifs
Fit girl? Pfff codex and rg mechanicus
Doggoarchivar
fitgirl doesn't crack, its just repacks but they are a gift for anyone with a slow internet connection
Suportik
that moment when fit girl was actually the first who managed it and it is up or a long while now, i shouldn't know this.
Alonsey
This real? That's fucking beautiful
Doggoarchivar
apparently it is, yea say what you want, i agree releasing cyberpunk in that state on old gen console was a mistake but i love that company
Armyguy8382
Not all of the games. They do have new releases that have DRM
CorgiInternetPrince
Ummm...so far all of the games i bought were drm-free... inkludiert cyberpunk 2077
ThisOldCPU
It's been a problem for a while now https://www.gog.com/forum/general/gog_games_no_longer_drm_free
namelessone
They do?!
ComcastLover
No they don't? Stop pulling things out of your ass.
ThisOldCPU
Two Worlds has DRM on GOG. DRM on GOG has been a complaint for a while now https://www.gog.com/forum/general/gog_games_no_longer_drm_free
ComcastLover
so two worlds is the only game you could find that requires a serial key for multiplayer? yet singleplayer is drm free?
ThisOldCPU
Two Worlds because I have personal experience with that title. I also surf the forums so I know DRM being present upsets a lot of folks.
TheN8
You can't DRM a part of a game, it's all or nothing.
gahzeeruh
Ahh yes yes of course...but what about all the PLB games with SGD?
hofbrauhauss
They’re alright but have you tried the BLT on SDB
crimpitdown9001
Its332amAndMyDogNeedsAWalk
Can I buy a vowel?
AlkeneThiol
I couldn't stomach it until they got down with the OPP on UKnoMe
ElsaHopps
The FCC wont let me be, or let me be me so let me see. They tried to shut me down on MTV but it feels so empty without me
Gayforbae
I prefer BDSM with CBT and maybe some FF and ATM.
imavakay
I can imagine people about about to be hella confused reading this. Luckily, I am not one of those people!
konelhft
1) You never do ATM. 2) I don't understand CBT, but to each his own.
Gayforbae
I dont do atm, but my subs do.... >)
Bairoko
Good lord, Dragon Ball has gotten hard to follow. I only remember SSJ SSJ2 SSJ3 and SSJ4!
alvinthatsme
Have you tried BBC on PHB
Gayforbae
Big Black Cock on Philharmonic Bread?
tlamstrike
The cost of games hasn't gone up in decades yet the demands for quality have increased. We're lucky games don't cost more now.
RageMojo
Everything you typed is wrong.
cosonfused
yeah, that's bulllshit. Prices most definitely have gone up.
SeismicCoin
heres an ad from 1995-96, the prices range from $55 to $95 CAD, the exchange rate at that time is ~1.36 >>>
SeismicCoin
to 1, which puts the prices in USD from $40 (after a $10 rebate) to $70, with most of them hovering around $60, in 1995 money, which would >
SeismicCoin
be $70 on the low end (the Zoop price, after rebate) to $100 for the midrangers and $120 for Doom and Batman, double the price of a full >>>
SeismicCoin
priced triple-a game today in terms of spending power, but even if you dont account for inflation the prices were still the same or more
ReginaKasteen
Or, we were enormous suckers for paying $50 for what we got 20 years ago.
brianthefly
Especially if you compare them to other things. Buy this game for 20 and get 100 hrs, or get 20 worth of takeout? Crappy example but ya know
MiddTech
I agree the prices of games have not gone up at the rate they probably should have. but sales volume has also skyrocketed in that time.
CyberAkuma
Decades? They went up from $50 to $60 in 2006, and now Sony is trying to make them cost $70, they went up TWICE in the last 14 years.
RUFingKiddingMe
And?
Seemskind
They mean when counting inflation. Technically games have gone down in price. What kills me are the games that charge $60/$70 but include 1/
Aaronb1138
EVERY consumer good has gotten much cheaper relative to inflation. Only 3 things have inflated: housing, healthcare, college. And games
Aaronb1138
have become more profitable as the player base expands with population and wealth growth.
Seemskind
Micro transactions on top of it. We know that micro transactions make millions more than the game sold alone, so why the price increase
CyberAkuma
People also ignore though that the tools are much easier, much more staff, and a much larger consumerbase.
Seemskind
That’s absolutely a good point.
Somanyquestions
Pretty much this. I hate paying 70$ for a game, but SNES titles were also 70$ 30 years ago.
tlamstrike
Yup, its not kept up with either inflation or costs. This is why DRM & deluxe editions are so big, cheap things that can earn back losses...
tlamstrike
...The game itself is becoming a loss leader.
CyberAkuma
1. Gaming was far more niche in the SNES era and considered "for kids only", 2. Far less competition programmers and tools were (1/2)
CyberAkuma
available to develop games. 3. Carts (especially if they needed custom chips) were FAR more expensive to manufacture than disks/cards. (2/2)
rudejohn
I presume you're Australian, because I paid $40-50 USD for SNES games 30 years ago. :)
SeismicCoin
look up retro game prices. they actually varied quite a bit. iirc Donkey Kong Country was $80 USD in 90s money when it released, and i >>>
SeismicCoin
cant remember the at-the-time price, but adjusted for inflation the original NES final fantasy cost the equivalent of about $250.
Neotic357
Is that accounting for inflation? 40$ in 1990 USD, is about $79 in 2020 USD.
Somanyquestions
Canadian, 40-50 USD is about 70 here :)
rudejohn
Math adds up, then. I think some games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy were $70-80 here, if they came with books and maps and stuff.
rudejohn
And it looks like the exchange rate was steeper in 1995 / SNES days (1.37264480).
Ark161
games like CT and FF had additional hardware in the cart that kind of justified the cost.