Polygon Article: Grey Market Games (re: Ubisoft Key Fiasco)

[Firsttime]

That sucks for the poorer markets, if the company can sell it to them at that price and make a profit, they can sell it to me at that price also. Them raising the price on me because I can afford more is against my interests and market theory states I should avoid that if I can. The optimum solution would be for the prices to equalise between the markets so that it is a bit cheaper for me and a bit more expensive for them.

They aren't making a "profit" selling at lower prices in poorer countries. They're increasing their revenue, but their costs are all in development and marketing. The actual production costs of the finished product is negligible. They rely on wealthier markets paying more to recoup those costs and then they reclaim as much as possible from poorer markets by selling cheap product they wouldn't sell at higher prices. Pharma companies do the same kinda thing. If people abuse them for doing it they'll just stop offering their products in poorer markets at reduced prices, or maybe all together.

 

[ThinClient]

They aren't making a "profit" selling at lower prices in poorer countries. They're increasing their revenue, but their costs are all in development and marketing. The actual production costs of the finished product is negligible. They rely on wealthier markets paying more to recoup those costs and then they reclaim as much as possible from poorer markets by selling cheap product they wouldn't sell at higher prices. Pharma companies do the same kinda thing. If people abuse them for doing it they'll just stop offering their products in poorer markets at reduced prices, or maybe all together.

Finally, another intelligent opinion on the matter.

 

[SMOGZINN]

If people abuse them for doing it they'll just stop offering their products in poorer markets at reduced prices, or maybe all together.

Then that is what they should do if they don't want me to make use of lower pricing when I can get it. My costs are important to me too and I recoup them where I can as well. Just as they use cheaper labor, and import goods from poorer markets, when they can, I buy my goods in more advantages markets when possible. I am just offshoring my purchases.

 

[ThinClient]

Then that is what they should do if they don't want me to make use of lower pricing when I can get it. My costs are important to me too and I recoup them where I can as well. Just as they use cheaper labor, and import goods from poorer markets, when they can, I buy my goods in more advantages markets when possible. I am just offshoring my purchases.

This forum needs a bowdown emoticon.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Then that is what they should do if they don't want me to make use of lower pricing when I can get it. My costs are important to me too and I recoup them where I can as well. Just as they use cheaper labor, and import goods from poorer markets, when they can, I buy my goods in more advantages markets when possible. I am just offshoring my purchases.

:thumbsup:

 

[Lonyo]

If it is not in Steam it is not on my team.

Then you're an idiot, because 1) Steam is no different and 2) Other services, such as DRM free services, are far superior.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Then you're an idiot, because 1) Steam is no different and 2) Other services, such as DRM free services, are far superior.

1) I feel confidant that Valve is not selling grey market keys.
2) I'm not sure what your definition of far superior is, but I enjoy how easy Steam has made it easy to play my games. I click on a button and it downloads, launches, it stays updated, lets me capture video of it, take screenshots, view guides, and keeps a nice list of games I own that I don't have to keep stored on my HD. All this adds value worth way more than the extremely small cost of the almost completely transparent DRM. Steam is DRM done right.

 

[Lonyo]

I would expect Ubisoft themselves aren't selling grey market keys either.

 

[SMOGZINN]

I would expect Ubisoft themselves aren't selling grey market keys either.

Ubisoft is not capable of selling grey market keys (of their own games). Any key they sell, by definition, must be a primary market key.

 

[Lonyo]

Ubisoft is not capable of selling grey market keys (of their own games). Any key they sell, by definition, must be a primary market key.

I know. My point was that your point of using Steam to make sure you don't get grey market keys applies to any other primary non-Steam store as well, such as Origin, uPlay or GoG.com and isn't a reason to use Steam specifically or exclusively.

 

[artemicion]

I know. My point was that your point of using Steam to make sure you don't get grey market keys applies to any other primary non-Steam store as well, such as Origin, uPlay or GoG.com and isn't a reason to use Steam specifically or exclusively.

I don't think you know what grey market means...

 

[ThinClient]

I don't think you know what grey market means...

You mean the market where people resell keys like other companies resell products that they bought for cheaper in an effort to make a profit?