Used Games Can Be Solved Very Easily: Cheaper Downloadable Games

[smackababy]

Context anyone? We are talking about a digital game with no disk, no case, no artwork fees, just released digital only and drop the price due to reduced distribution costs.

That is the problem though. Gamers are used to paying $60 for a game. Why would the publisher pass the savings on to the consumer when they can just keep those profits?

 

[cmdrdredd]

That is the problem though. Gamers are used to paying $60 for a game. Why would the publisher pass the savings on to the consumer when they can just keep those profits?

Cause if they don't...they risk becoming irrelevant thanks to making their console almost exactly like a PC.

If games aren't cheaper, people will just want the disk and all the renting, trading, selling that goes with it.

 

[Midwayman]

That is the problem though. Gamers are used to paying $60 for a game. Why would the publisher pass the savings on to the consumer when they can just keep those profits?

'Cause they see enough extra sales to more than offset the difference. 1,000,000 units at $60 or 1,300,000 units at $50, etc.. This applies a lot more to smaller or less popular titles of course.

 

[smackababy]

Cause if they don't...they risk becoming irrelevant thanks to making their console almost exactly like a PC.

If games aren't cheaper, people will just want the disk and all the renting, trading, selling that goes with it.

Sounds a lot like what some publishers of another medium did.

 

[smackababy]

'Cause they see enough extra sales to more than offset the difference. 1,000,000 units at $60 or 1,300,000 units at $50, etc.. This applies a lot more to smaller or less popular titles of course.

But 1,000,000 units at $50 is less than 1,000,000 at $60. That is how they think. A sale is either x profit or y profit. And whichever is higher, is the plan they go with.

 

[cmdrdredd]

But 1,000,000 units at $50 is less than 1,000,000 at $60. That is how they think. A sale is either x profit or y profit. And whichever is higher, is the plan they go with.

They can think what they want...when they bitch about pirating but don't offer a compelling reason to buy the game, when they bitch about nobody buying a particular game for $60, when they bitch about people selling used games and supposed lost sales, then maybe they'll come down to earth and say "ah ha...! Maybe we should try selling some games digital only, no trading or selling that...but we will offer perceived value through a slightly lower price. Maybe bundle a few titles during a sale."

If not...then I will always want my disk, and will lend it out, will sell it, will trade it etc

 

[Midwayman]

But 1,000,000 units at $50 is less than 1,000,000 at $60. That is how they think. A sale is either x profit or y profit. And whichever is higher, is the plan they go with.

To a certain extent, yes. I think its more about risk. Lowering their price in expectations of more sales is a risk for them since it might end up just like you say. If there is good market data to show that they'll make more money at a lower price, they'll sell at a lower price. Its all about the profits to the suits.