Gaming Lounge

[Sengir]

The largest problem with the high pricing is that there isn't a need for it. Graphics aren't driving the sales price up at all, artificial inflation is.

And that's a legitimate problem that needs to be addressed.

not exactly; a bulk of the triple-a games have hollywood-style budgets and need to sell a huge load of games at their 50-60 dollar price to break even, let along make a profit.

though you're right in that it is a legitimate problem. game development has become a giant gambling addiction for big-time CEO's, and when their lucks run out the face of the game industry won't be the same.

[Kriven]

If games have the same budgets as movies, why can I buy DVDs for ten bucks and games for sixty?

I suppose the more common answer would be that movie theaters offset some of the production cost, but not all movies with the budget of a blockbuster game are released in theater, and are still only ten dollars on DVD.

[Sengir]

I suppose the more common answer would be that movie theaters offset some of the production cost, but not all movies with the budget of a blockbuster game are released in theater, and are still only ten dollars on DVD.

idk, console games average above 28 million each (this figure is including such franchises as "Cooking Mama" or "Spongebob")

granted, i dont know how much direct-to-shelf movies cost but this is still an insane number

e: $28m is the figure from 2009, not the even-more-expensive 2012

[Kriven]

The average direct-to-video release costs 20 million, the average big budget picture costs 139 million.

Video games should be about fifteen dollars :-\

Quick thought: How much are the prices of video games influenced by licensing fees to release on a specific console?

I could see that adding to the cost versus the device-free nature of films.

[Gwen]

A movie is only at the most 3 hours, where as a game can take much much much longer to complete.
I feel like $40-60 is perfectly fine, if games ever got near $80-100 I could see a backlash though.

[Sengir]

eating dinner; too busy to type long thing


read this for an idea:
http://www.polygon.com/2012/10/1/3439738...ate-of-aaa

[Kriven]

A movie is only at the most 3 hours, where as a game can take much much much longer to complete.
I feel like $40-60 is perfectly fine, if games ever got near $80-100 I could see a backlash though.

I'm more of the "Price to Manufacture/Develop, Not Longevity of Use" camp.

*Goes to read Sengineer's link*

Edit: So after reading that link, it seems to me more that the higher price of games is to make up for a smaller core audience. Which I guess is an explanation I can live with. I'll be looking at more numbers, though.

I do think we should start moving away from the "Fixed and Budget" pricing model and start looking at more middle-ground pricing systems, though.

[Sengir]

This is why I like Kickstarter if done right. Companies can get people to preorder a product and can adjust scope according to how much interest there is.

Start small and work your way up through stretch goals, all the while selling your product at a reasonable price.

[Previous]

So there will be micro transactions in every upcoming EA title. Y'know, pay to get more health, items, stronger weappons etc. instead of playing the game to obtain them.

[Mag]

Microtransactions just feel like these companies trying to milk every last cent off of you. Remember when patches used to be free and not called "DLC"?

---

I'm occasionally hosting a Tekkit Lite Lite server at NeonMinecraft.no-ip.org.

Add me on Steam if you want to play, it'll be easier to message you back since it's IMing. I'm going to be removing the old server I used to host, since Equivalent Exchange made things waaaay too easy. Tekkit lite addresses that. Survival only.

Also, don't expect it to be on 24/7, this runs on my PC, so I leave it off by default. This is more like a co-op server.

EDIT: Screenshots of server with Shaders/Bump-maps mod installed.

[Gwen]

So there will be micro transactions in every upcoming EA title. Y'know, pay to get more health, items, stronger weappons etc. instead of playing the game to obtain them.

What.the.actual.fuck.

[puggsoy]

^ this. What the hell EA, do you want to let rich kids run around servers like crazed madmen or something?

[Kriven]

So I guess I won't be getting the new Mirror's Edge, then...

[Gwen]

And of course Battlefield is a part of EA, that's one series I'll remain faithful to, solid series that blows many other FPS's out of the water

[Yamcha the Desert Bandit]

Any one wanna play me in ssbb? Just go to with anyone!