Publishers and their used games gripes.

[Flake]

Either way, I suspect that if it were legal to do so, it would already be done.

It really makes you wonder, doesn't it? Why no game publisher has tried to break the mold and do things differently for a quick profit and gain in market share. Especially when so many game companies produce such similar products like Sports Titles or FPS. It's not like there's any kind of prisoners dilemma going on here. Wouldn't it make sense for someone to make a quality title and then sell it for $10 less to undercut the competition?

It makes me wonder if maybe the $60 price structure is formally instituted instead of being some stupid and non-responsive business tactic.

[ZeroAX]

It makes me wonder if maybe the $60 price structure is formally instituted instead of being some stupid and non-responsive business tactic.

I remember reading an interview with a developer (before this gen started) and he said they priced a game cheaper and people ended up thinking it was a low quality product.

Of course the Wii audience didn't think like that....at first. After being burned from those crappy pop-corn brand games they will probably stick to only buying Nintendo games.

[MrPopo]

It makes me wonder if maybe the $60 price structure is formally instituted instead of being some stupid and non-responsive business tactic.

I remember reading an interview with a developer (before this gen started) and he said they priced a game cheaper and people ended up thinking it was a low quality product.

That part makes sense. Every game comes out at the same price point. The only 360 game I can recall that wasn't $60 was my copy of Raiden Fighter Aces at $20 (new). I can totally understand consumers thinking it's a lower quality product due to the price (even though it's better than most of the $60 titles). When you sell cheaper you're doing one of two things: you're either trying to shift more copies at a lower price or you don't need to sell it for as much because the cost to produce was lower (which in the consumer's mind is the same as lower quality game).

I do think they could progressively price them lower to shift perception. Maybe have big name title #1 come out at $55, then big name title #2 come out at $50.

[ZeroAX]

I do think they could progressively price them lower to shift perception. Maybe have big name title #1 come out at $55, then big name title #2 come out at $50.

yes but then you are asking a CEO and his shareholders to make less money in the short term. And these people did not become business men to make brave and logical investments that could make them super rich in the future. They became business men to make as much money with as little effort as possible.

[Flake]

yes but then you are asking a CEO and his shareholders to make less money in the short term.

But you're forgetting that video games, as a luxury, have a very elastic demand curve. If a game was lowered even 10 dollars it would likely sell enough copies to earn back any difference in revenue and then some.

The only real reason it hasn't been done is that this particular generation of gaming is being run by the least imaginative or daring bunch you've ever seen. This is why the only new or innovative technology coming out is from Nintendo (for better or worse). No one else in the industry has the guts to do anything but play sheep.

[ZeroAX]

But you're forgetting that video games, as a luxury, have a very elastic demand curve. If a game was lowered even 10 dollars it would likely sell enough copies to earn back any difference in revenue and then some.

The only real reason it hasn't been done is that this particular generation of gaming is being run by the least imaginative or daring bunch you've ever seen. This is why the only new or innovative technology coming out is from Nintendo (for better or worse). No one else in the industry has the guts to do anything but play sheep.

Dude I totally agree. My comment above was full of irony. Gaming execs don't know the first thing about video games.

[Flake]

Dude I totally agree. My comment above was full of irony. Gaming execs don't know the first thing about video games.

Oops. I am batting zilch for picking up on irony and sarcasm today. Let's ignore my mistakes and bask in the certainty that if we ran the video game world things would be better.

[MrPopo]

Dude I totally agree. My comment above was full of irony. Gaming execs don't know the first thing about video games.

Oops. I am batting zilch for picking up on irony and sarcasm today. Let's ignore my mistakes and bask in the certainty that if we ran the video game world things would be better.

Of course it would; we'd bring back the SNES.

[Weekend_Warrior]

Why is it that a straight-to-DVD movie or cartoon that costs millions of dollars to produce can be sold on DVD for $15-$20. But a video game that costs the same amount to make has to start at $60?

[MrPopo]

Why is it that a straight-to-DVD movie or cartoon that costs millions of dollars to produce can be sold on DVD for $15-$20. But a video game that costs the same amount to make has to start at $60?

Because the straight-to-DVD movie will sell more and cost less.