Slashdot Mirror
Sony Drops Platinum Title Cost
Eurogamer has the news that Sony has lowered prices on Platinum titles. Selections such as Eye Toy Play 2 and Jak 3 will now retail for about a third less, or roughly $US 34.95. From the article: "The news is set to allow retailers to enjoy a bumper summer at a time when the supply of quality new releases has all but dried up - and consumers will be able to sample a huge range of titles at prices that won't break the bank."
"...will be able to sample a huge range of titles at prices that won't break the bank."
Yeah, breaking the bank will be when NextGen consoles come out. I know I will get bombarded with, "every generation console is high priced when they first come out..." but, this round of NextGen I feel will be hitting in between $350 and $450 for console units. That to me is breaking the bank. Hell, a new cheap yet up to date computer with no monitor hangs aound the $350 price tage.
"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud
So I can spend $35 on a 4-year-old game for the PS, or $20 for a 1-year-old game for the PC.
No sources, this is slashdot, but check the prices of just about every 2004 FPS.
Pulp Audio Weekly - Geek News and Reviews
I don't see any mention of the prices in the US. In fact, the article is about european prices.
Great, now I can look forward to €45 titles instead of €60 ones. This despite the favourable US/Euro exchange rate.
So instead of paying ~$71 for my games, I'll now be paying ~$53 dollars, which is still more than the $50 that is paid for games in the States!!!
Arrgghh!!
Thank you Sony. Thanks for nothing!!
May the Maths Be with you!
The article assumes you know about UK games prices, ranges etc., so if you don't know, here's some information other people have probably already posted whilst I dither over this message:
PlayStation Platinum is the European equivelant of PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits. They used to retail for £19.99ish (~$35) in the UK. (Xbox has Xbox Classics, GameCube has Player's Choice for their budget ranges, all usually at £20ish).
Full games usually have an RRP of £40 (~$70), but as the article states, are often found cheaper nowadays, although they're usually slightly above £30 (~$50).
£15 is nearer $25 than $35, but exchange rates fluctuate.
There are of course various offers and stuff, budget priced games (whever in a budget range or not) are often in 2 for £30 offers and stuff.
Yes, living in Europe sucks if you like videogames. We usually have to wait until last to pay the most for them.
10 PRINT "LOOK AROUND YOU ";
20 GOTO 10
It is a very complicated conspiracy, that includes the freemasons, Opus Dei, Muslims, the Bush family, the mafia AND Sony, that seeks to sell more games due to lower prices!
Greatest Hits is the US equivelant of Platinum games.
The price is wrong IMO ($35 is nearer the existing £20 price point), I'd say $25 is nearer £15.
Video games in Europe / UK cost more. The RRP of nerw games is usually £40 (~$70), but it is getting nearer £30 ($50), at least if you buy online, or from specialist shops. I guess some of the extra cost is tax, but I think some of it is just the companies extracting money becuase they can. The recent price changes do at least move the prices nearer to US ones, with the strong Pound at the moment it has been getting ridiculous.
10 PRINT "LOOK AROUND YOU ";
20 GOTO 10
Seriously, who considers $35 to be cheap? The game better be damned good for me to pay $35 when there are tons of $20 and $15 titles that would be just as much fun. And if these are games that have already sold enough to reach "platinum", I'd expect a drop in price at least this much.
But I should quit complaining, considering the next generation conosoles' games are going to cost an arm and a leg.
Here's a link to Sony's Greatest Hits games... I don't know if it's the same as the UK Platinum games, but I doubt they're too dissimilar.
"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
-Hoban Washburn
Advertising for Nerds. Stuff that sells.
You're kind of right...but not completely. Yes, most people who own an Xbox and a PS2 go for the Xbox version if it's multiplatform. Unfortunately, there's still alot of games that are PS2 exclusive. MS might be making great strides here in America but it's only doing moderately well in Europe and HORRIBLY in Japan. I'd go as far to say that MS views the Xbox as a failure, and that's why their so eager to jump ahead into the next generation.
I too believe MS has put the Xbox360 in a very competitive position. They'll be the first out the gate, and unlike Sega before them...actually have the money to over market/advertise Sony. From what we've seen of the PS3 and Xbox360 so far they look to be on fairly equal footing. PS3 might have a little more graphical horsepower, but it's starting to look like the 360's triple core processor might allow for better gameplay and physics than the much overhyped Cell. The fact that the first couple sweeps of the Xbox will only be available with a harddrive will ensure a large enough base, so that developers actually care as where the PS3 will probably not be as fortunate. I think Sony was way too cocky last gen, and they gave MS the chance to gain some serious ground on them...if they keep up their ways of the past they may very well find MS getting a larger portion of the pie this go round.
As for Nintendo, they're always a wild card...there's a chance they could suprise everyone and take first place this next generation. It's not likely...but you never know. Being that the Revolution will probably come out at least $100 less than the 360 (and I guess $200 less than the PS3?) they can aim for a different audience than MS and Sony will be battling for...so I don't even bother comparing them with the other two usually...
"A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."