Next Generation Software

[the_dude]

It's now 1:35 am (7th June) i should be sleeping for work tomorrow, but i can't resist the temptation to write about the price of Next Generation software! I'm just after reading about the price increase of Next Generation software on Game Central (on C4), and i quote "Various US stores have begun to list Xbox 360 games such as Project Gotham Racing 3 for $59.99. The worry now is that UK prices could also rise by as much as ?10, from the current ?39.99 standard to ?49.99"

To me it seem's like we are going back in time to the old 16 Bit day's when publisher's were charging ?60 a pop on some title's i.e. Street Fighter 2 on the SNES.

In my opinion, what i've seen so far from Next Generation titles, no game justify's the ?10 increase, as it not a major step from what we are playing now on PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox.

I mentioned in a previous thread that if a price increase on Next Generation software materialized, then i would continue to import and get my game's cheaper than the UK pricing scheme or wait a couple of month and buy the game on Ebay for half the price!

This is bad news indeed for gamers everywhere, not just the UK, but the whole of europe, and the US. I'm not going to purchase a Next Generation console for sometime as i feel it's not needed, as far as i'm concerned there is only one console to own just now and that's the Nintendo DS. Why you ask? Because it's the only system on the market today that's truly offering gamers something new with it's games and technology. With innovative games on the DS, who needs Next Generation!

What are your opinions on the pricing of Next Generation software? And where do you think Next Generation title's will take gamer's, in terms of gaming experience's.

[gossi the dog]

I doubt they'd rise by a whole ?10. A price increase of ?5 though is probable.

[Leon Retro]

There is no way a price hike could be justified. Every gen the software companies talk about higher-costs and so called better games.

You look back at the introduction of CD-Rom. Games for the new format were touted as superior- but then things calmed down and people realised that all the claims were hollow and surprise surpise CD games could also be crap- then with sober realisation by the public the industry was defeated and CD-Rom games dropped in price.

The software industry are trying to sucker the public with next-gen fever. They show some amazing visuals- spout some drivel about the games being worth more and then attempt to brainwash the public in to thinking a gaming revolution is in their midst.

We all know that next-gen games will look nicer- but they will still be the same experiences once you get over the visual lust. There is no way gamers should be paying more than ?30 for a game- no matter how many polys it is pushing!

[IcePak]

the_dude, that quote you mentioned was from the US right? If so, hasn't their dollar been falling in value for some time now? If this is the case, then the US may be the only place with a price increase on games, and the rest of us should be relatively safe from price rises.

But in general, I think software prices should be falling, not rising.

[the_dude]

But in general, I think software prices should be falling, not rising.

// I totally agree with you on that IcePak!

// Hold's up his pint for cheaper games!

[chopemon]

at the start the games will be highly priced but will soon come down, look at your local GAME. triple a titles are 29.99 on day of release

other than there being nothing worth a high price on the 360's launch, i'm not overly concerned about the price of games, the market competition will drive the prices down soon enough

[Neon Ignition]

I fully expect software to sell for ?45-?50 when Xbox 360 arrives. It was common place with Xbox 1 but soon fell as its a price point that's not sustainable despite what EA would no doubt like to think. Despite that EA states about rising costs its only because they waste so much on adverts and effects and not on the game. They'd do well to work on some low budget content because that can pay off just as much *GTA3* I'd say expect ?45 with stores knocking it down to ?40 with offers.

[SharkAttack]

Pre order software on Play.Com is currently ?39.99 for XBox 360 compared with ?29.99 for XBox if that is any pointer. I think they WILL do it and blame it on spiralling development costs and the new media formats. Plus they claim to be supporting XBox at the same time so that allows them to keep XBox games at the same price rather than drop them.

[Kubrick]

I really hope the next-gen stuff rots on the shelves if they're going to be increasing the prices.

[buster_broon]

play.com has the games listed with a ?49.99 rrp

they are asking ?39.99 a game but the usual saving 20% beside it

now if they are charging ?40, i reckon the high street might actually be ?50

[charlesr]

Doesnt this always happen before launch - "if the actual price at release is lower, you will be charged the lower price" etc?

Once the real price points are known, things will adjust.

[Neon Ignition]

*Remembers ?70 Turok 1 pricing*

[mattSix]

if we assume all other costs remain the same (distribution, marketing etc.) there's a simple equation in all this - the cost of the game you buy reflects the effort it takes to make it.

if it's easier to make the same game in the future as it is now, costs could come down. if it's harder, costs will go up.

i don't know which, if any, of those will be the case, but all the signs i've seen point towards the latter.

[Ady]

The industry is rich enough as it is. It doesn't need any more of our money (per game). It's greed and nothing more.

If a price hike does occcur, I intend to vote with my wallet.

[Yoshimax]

Price goes up, modchips come out.

Who loses then ?