Slashdot Mirror
Console Game Prices Going Up?
The Bungi writes "MSNBC is running a story that I found interesting in light of the previous article here on Slashdot predicting hardware prices will likely fall. The MSNBC piece is quoting analysts that think software prices might go up by about $10 for a new title. The reasons? Among others, more complex games and anti-piracy measures built into the media. Get ready for $60 Halo II."
The reasons? Among others, more complex games and anti-piracy measures built into the media
Anti-piracy measures should increase revenue, not decrease it; otherwise, why use them at all? If anything, the prices should come down as a result of less piracy (I mean, isn't piracy forcing companies to raise prices? That's what I've always been told).
As for the increased complexity of games, shouldn't it - at least in part - be offset by code reuse? Developing a similar game or a sequel should be much easier than the initial title.
Remember how a few years ago every game had full motion video? Now that you can get decent results with real-time rendering, we don't need all these real-life actors, just voice talent.
If anti-piracy technologies are supposed to make games harder to pirate, then there should be less priacy. If there's less priacy, then they should sell mores copies of protected software. Why should I pay extra for something that should already make them more money?
Of course, all of that was based on the assumption that piracy costs the industry money.
would be to LOWER the price of the games.
I remember paying $40 for Apple II games in the 80s. Inflation must certainly take its toll on game prices eventually, and I am all for supporting game developers. What I am not for is supporting the near-extortion practices of game publishers (coughmicrosoftcough) who force developers to get games out the door prematurely. That, I believe, is why we see games with so much less spit and polish than we used to. The first time I saw a game seg fault on the Xbox, I raged. Because of that, I am willing to pay $60 for a Blizzard game that I know will be clean and well-concieved. And for software which is belted out before a Christmas deadline so that a trillion dollar multinational corporation can recoup losses on the system itself, I'll pay nothing at all...
I have read a few insightful and interesting comments in reply to this article that are based on common sense. Mainly this...
That makes complete sense if of course that was the real reason. I mean, come on, of course piracy wasn't the real reason behind high prices - duh! That is nothing but some marketing/PR spin to justify those high prices.
I have another theory which I think also relies on common sense, but looks at it from a money-snagging business ploy that I would implement if I was in that industry. To me it makes perfect (business) sense to raise prices while increasing the level of security / anti-pirate technology. People are forced to pay the hiked up prices because it is now even more difficult to circumvent the protections in place, plus you have the added benefit of protection against circumvention thanks to the unbelievably awful DMCA.
I mean you're all set...
There is no missing middle step, that's all it takes.
Raise prices when people are forced to pay them and have less alternative options. Does this make the consumer happy? Of course not! But it sure does make the industry happy to see the extra money come in, because no matter how idealistic people like try be in saying, "That's the final straw, I'm not supporting this industry any more. They won't get my money!" - which will work for a small minority of people, but won't for the majority of people who will fork out more cash for the new games. The other unfortunate thing is that many games of late seem to be rushed to completion before they're ready and don't even deserve the higher prices on their own merit.
Just my $.02
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