PS3: Freakin Expensive
- Thread starter astrosdude91
- 172 comments
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- 178
Used PS3 games could mean NOTHING in value if Sony decide to do what they have just brought up with. I remember reading about how Sony might plan on making the PS3 games register itself or something into the Cell's brain so that only that PS3 can play the game. So that means that attempting to play your game on someone else PS3 won't work. This may even hurt EB games and Gamestop's sales since two gamestop workers told me that they rely most on selling used games.
- 2,061
That was speculation only and Sony has no plans on using that hardware for purchased disc based media.
- 1,681
LittleBahamut
Sony patented this technology even before the launch of the PS2.
- 40,924
That was for a different reason entirely, as was the $60-70 games (including CD based ones) of the early 90's.YSSMAN
Well, in all honesty their wasn't any real reason for 360 games to be selling for $60 (especially not the launch titles), and their still isn't today even though the games aren't all ports.liveforspeed
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
Toronado
The reasoning was that:
1) It is more expensive to produce a game on the 360 than on the XBOX
2) New games come with more standard features, ala-special edition titles they had charged us more for in the previous generation.
- 2,061
Actually almost all 360 titles or ports that are on other systems have fewer features.
The defining factor for the increase in cost is the need to recover revenue lost by hardware costs.
Microsoft has to recover costs for both the hardware of the 360, and they are also recovering costs for XBL.
You're probably wondering, wait, why would they need to recover costs for XBL? Simple. The user base right now for XBL is significantly smaller. Most Xbox users have stopped playing online as much, either because they are waiting for a 360, or because there aren't any more Xbox games coming for the most part, and also because the 360 user base is significantly smaller.
What this comes out to mean is that there are fewer users right now who are subscribed to XBL, and MS still has to pay people to maintain their servers, etc. In the end, this is costing them money, and they are not getting the return on revenue.
While it's not going to "kill them" to lose this money, investors and stock market big wigs don't like the idea of their company losing money if they have hands in the pot. So, MS has to do it's best to recover these costs.
This is all done by:
Super expensive accessories (i.e. the wireless controller that is $20 more than it should be)
"XBL Points"
Raised Game Prices
The defining factor for the increase in cost is the need to recover revenue lost by hardware costs.
Microsoft has to recover costs for both the hardware of the 360, and they are also recovering costs for XBL.
You're probably wondering, wait, why would they need to recover costs for XBL? Simple. The user base right now for XBL is significantly smaller. Most Xbox users have stopped playing online as much, either because they are waiting for a 360, or because there aren't any more Xbox games coming for the most part, and also because the 360 user base is significantly smaller.
What this comes out to mean is that there are fewer users right now who are subscribed to XBL, and MS still has to pay people to maintain their servers, etc. In the end, this is costing them money, and they are not getting the return on revenue.
While it's not going to "kill them" to lose this money, investors and stock market big wigs don't like the idea of their company losing money if they have hands in the pot. So, MS has to do it's best to recover these costs.
This is all done by:
Super expensive accessories (i.e. the wireless controller that is $20 more than it should be)
"XBL Points"
Raised Game Prices
- 30,026
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
Microsoft get's a fixed rate for each game, they don't tell the 3rd party publishers how much to charge the stores and they don'y tell the stores how much to charge for the game, that's why some stores charge a fiver more than others.
- 2,061
live4speed
Their fixed rate is higher this generation (at least present day it is) thus developers increased the price in order to recover what MS hordes.
- 40,924
Which is bull in itself, when you essentially are just porting a PC game whenever you make a 360 exclusive, considering how similar the architexture is. And considering they are still only using DVD's for games, it's pretty rediculous. At least if Sony was to charge $60 they would have an excuse. At launch it was inexcusable, and it still is now.YSSMAN
Most 360 titles are ports from the PC or the other platforms with HD or XBox live support. They usually have no other extra features.YSSMAN
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
Hey, I'm just telling you what I have herd. The origional justification by raising the prices was to baisically make all of the titles "Special Editions" in terms of content, but sell them as regular games. Thusly the $5 to $10 extra price is built in, creating more profit for the gamemakers.
As for XBOX Live:
I belive the current figures are that 60% of all 360 owners are using XBOX Live, to that would be about 3-4 Million 360 owners using the service. Of course, silver is free, and I don't belive those numbers that were released a few weeks back included origional XBOX users as well.
So yes, Microsoft Points via XBOX Live Marketplace can help recover costs, but even then, the prices you are paying for many of the game's add-ons and arcade titles aren't any different than what they were on the old XBOX.
As for XBOX Live:
I belive the current figures are that 60% of all 360 owners are using XBOX Live, to that would be about 3-4 Million 360 owners using the service. Of course, silver is free, and I don't belive those numbers that were released a few weeks back included origional XBOX users as well.
So yes, Microsoft Points via XBOX Live Marketplace can help recover costs, but even then, the prices you are paying for many of the game's add-ons and arcade titles aren't any different than what they were on the old XBOX.
I think part of the reason 360 games are $60 is because of the hype of HD gaming. People who make the games justify the extra $10 because "Hey, you get to play games in 720p, IT'S HI-DEF!!!11!1". But then again, what you guys all mentioned makes sense too.
The points make prices seem cheaper. Bankshot Billiards 2 is 1200 points, or $15. I bought it since 1200 points didn't seem like much. But if it was listed at $15, instead of 1200 points, I wouldn't buy it. Also, it sucks you into buying extra gamerpics and themes. I've spent about $8 on that crap without realizing it. What I'm trying to get at is that the points sucker you into buying things you wouldn't normally buy.YSSMAN
- 2,061
I think that 6.5-7 million would be more believable.
Although there are a good number of titles coming out during the holidays, many parents will either buy the Wii for their children who want it, or PS3 given they are willing.
A lot of gamers have been "holding out" for the PS3 and Wii before they make their choice, and until late november, it will continue to be like that.
Gamers are going to hold out and sales won't see a boost until mid/late november at earliest, during which time period spending will be at a high, but gamers and parents alike will be up in arms about what to buy. Holiday confusion > everyone.
EB and GS will push the 360 like no other though. Simply because it's larger game library will offer a significantly larger attach rate.
Although there are a good number of titles coming out during the holidays, many parents will either buy the Wii for their children who want it, or PS3 given they are willing.
A lot of gamers have been "holding out" for the PS3 and Wii before they make their choice, and until late november, it will continue to be like that.
Gamers are going to hold out and sales won't see a boost until mid/late november at earliest, during which time period spending will be at a high, but gamers and parents alike will be up in arms about what to buy. Holiday confusion > everyone.
EB and GS will push the 360 like no other though. Simply because it's larger game library will offer a significantly larger attach rate.
- 2,061
*McLaren*
This is because games with lower development costs do not have to get the return on revenue.
MS takes a percentage. If the development cost was lower than other platforms, then they will not have to raise the price to cover their development costs.
Games, however, that have higher development/port costs, like CoD2, GoW, etc, all suffer because MS is taking an extra chunk of the money cake, so the MSRP from the publisher is then raised.
MS first party titles will likely follow this pricing pattern as well, even though MS makes all the profit from selling the first party titles, they will take advantage of the new "percieved" standard in gaming prices.
McLaren
Premium
- 45,717
- Texas
True. But a game such as Test Drive: Unlimited does disrprove this. With a game being in development for 4 years, Atari has spent a lot of money on the game to map out it's location and acquire it's vehicles. However, it sits at a $40 price tag.Jeremy Ricci
Other games like King Kong, The Outfit (which is still fairly new) and NBA Live 2K6 (with NBA 2K6) are dropping from $60 to $50.
- 2,061
Thread revival!
So, I got word of some industry buzz that the HD-DVD add on would retail for $199.99.
While it may be a "cheap" alternative in the "long run" it still puts the cost of the 360 about $100 more than each model of the PS3, respectively.
Still frickin expensive?
So, I got word of some industry buzz that the HD-DVD add on would retail for $199.99.
While it may be a "cheap" alternative in the "long run" it still puts the cost of the 360 about $100 more than each model of the PS3, respectively.
Still frickin expensive?
- 10,116
- Maryland, USA
- swift-bass
Yes!! Of course it is. I mean, who wants to have a next generation game system AND video system in one package. Bleh. I just want the bare minimum and I'll buy 4 other components just to get what I would get with one PS3. Don't you get it man, I LIKE having things take up extra space, have lower quality and eventually cost me more then just getting it all at once. Get it now?
I really hope you know I was kidding.
- 2,061
hahaha, I knew you were kidding after your first sentence 
- 10,116
- Maryland, USA
- swift-bass
You're joking, right? Seriously. Who would NOT want to have the HD DVD or Blu ray player? I can almost understand the wireless access. But not having the player for next generation video makes no sense at all.
How many people do you know that use there PS2 for a DVD player as well? I know quite a few.
Also, there is a dumbed down version of the PS3 that doesn't have some of the bells and whistles. But to me that's a useless option.
The point of the Next-Gen console is to do just that, go to the next generation and beyond. If your Next-Gen console only does what your current console can do with better graphics, it's not really next-gen, it's just the old console in HD
- 30,026
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
Well said Swift, the whole point is to push the technology forwards. If lal your ever doing is simply giving the next Playstation more memory and a faster processor your not really doing much to warrant buying a new console.
And this HD-DVD add-on, certainly shows that the PS3 in reality isn't expensive.
And this HD-DVD add-on, certainly shows that the PS3 in reality isn't expensive.
- 2,061
Most homes now have a wireless network, most dorms have a wireless network, most apartment complexe's have wireless access.
Why NOT include it? And it's $100 for the 360? If you were to upgrade the PREMIUM 360 to the specs of the PS3, you'd have a price tag of AT LEAST $800...with no HDMI.
I wouldn't mind having one, but it's not on my must-have list. Unless Hollywood start pumping out movies I love, and if Blockbuster quickly has rental HD movies available, or if SW Revenge of the Sith comes to HD-DVD or Blu-ray, I don't care about the movie function. However, when must-have games (like GT5) come out and require BDs to store their content, that's when I'll want one.
I don't, for one.
I think the PS3 will benefit a lot from the Blu-ray player, but it's not like the X360 is doomed because it doesn't have HD-DVD from the start.
I don't want the wireless adapter, and I don't want the movie option, unless like I said above, Hollywood starts pumping out blah blah blah. When I get a PS3 when GT5 comes out, it'll be the 20GB version.
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