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."

Comments

Bank

[turtled]

"...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.

Re:Bank

[MBCook]

I agree. $300 is my limit, I'm not speding over that. I may spend UNDER that. First of all, consoles don't come with games anymore, and they want me to pay $60 a pop (minimum) to buy the games. Add to this all the other things they don't include (2nd controller, memory cards, hard drive in the case of the PS3) and that is just more cash I'll have to shell out to play a game.

I love video games, and I've been buying consoles at launch since the PS1, but this generation there is a good chance that I'll wait for price drops (except on the Revolution, I know I'll get great games there, especially with the ability to play old titles).

Backwards compatability helps though, as that means I can fence my old console to help buy the new one.

"Platinum" == "Old"

[yotto]

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.

Just for reference...

[Fred Or Alive]

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.

Re:Just for reference...

[nick_davison]

As an English gamer who moved to the U.S., I figured I'd share just how badly overcharged you guys are:

UK:
Before: £19.99 (~$35)
Now: £14.99 (~$25)

US:
Regular retail since the Platinum line has existed: $19.99
Price if you shop around for which store has a sale this week: $14.99 ($9.99 if you're lucky)

DVDs are equally bad: I rarely pay over $14.99 (~£9), often pay $9.99 (~£6) if I wait a month or two, and, if I'm willing to wait, older titles (like Hunt For Red October - at Circuit City this weekend) are $4.99 (~£3). Plus, because all the large stores price match, you check the online ads for all stores - then go to your nearest one and ask them to match.

To be fair, in the UK, 17.5% VAT is added within those prices whereas, in the US, sales tax is added on on top. Then again, as that rarely clears 8% anywhere, it doesn't come close to making the difference.

Re:What's their strategy?

[Zangief]

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!

Slashdot:

[Jukashi]

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