Why are console games so dizam expensive compared to PC games?

[BrunoPuntzJones]

WTF?

I was looking at getting a Gamecube but the games I'd like are all like $47 at the cheapst :|

I start looking at Xbox games and the same thing. It's been like that for as long as I can remember.

Mario Sunshine = $47
Metroid = $47
Star Fox = $47

Halo = $47
Hitman 2 (Xbox) = $47

PC
NOLF 2 = $29
Medal of Honor AA: $19 (not long after it came out)
SOF2 = $19 (not long after it came out)
Hitman 2 $34
UT2003 = $33
Mafia $32

It'd be nice to have a GC, but shizit, $50 bucks a game is too much for me.

 

[smp]

Idiots spend more money.

 

[MrBond]

Captive audience. People have the consoles, what else are they going to use them for (especially the GC). Hell, there's no real incentive to discount big selling games either (ie: GTA3, MGS2, Halo, Smash Brothers Melee) that are pretty old because unlike PC games, pirating them is more difficult (compared to pirating pc games that is).

Games (and hardware) are also where console makers recoup losses they have from selling the consoles. I am pretty sure MS still loses money on the xbox, not sure about the GC, but I'd bet the ps2 is at least breaking even now (if not making money).

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: smp
Idiots spend more money.

To play games that aren't on PC.

 

[Anubis]

ummm ut2003 cost me 50$

 

[fatbaby]

Originally posted by: TheEvil1
ummm ut2003 cost me 50$

well you are a fool then

I have rarely seen a console game go on one of those 2 day sales like MOHAA, bf1942, and ut2003 went on for about $30 each.

 

[0roo0roo]

ur pc game prices are inaccurate. those sale prices. quick amazon.com price for nolf 2 is 44 bux. add tax/shipping its past 50.

apples to oranges.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: fatbaby

Originally posted by: TheEvil1
ummm ut2003 cost me 50$

well you are a fool then

I have rarely seen a console game go on one of those 2 day sales like MOHAA, bf1942, and ut2003 went on for about $30 each.

umm NO im not

teh cheepest ive seen it waas 39.99 after a rebate. and then theres shipping

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Because none of the money goes to Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft from a PC game - it goes to the distributor and creator of the game. Also, a lot of console games have extra costs associated with the game - emulation of the system on the development computer, etc etc. If you ask me I'd rather play video games on a couch in front of a huge tv than 2 feet away from a computer monitor, thanks

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

What gets me is the used prices. I'd be happy with used ones if they were cheap (less than $25). BUT WTFFFFFFFFF

Eternal Darkness used is $39, while new it's $47? Whatever.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
ur pc game prices are inaccurate. those sale prices. quick amazon.com price for nolf 2 is 44 bux. add tax/shipping its past 50.

apples to oranges.

It's not inaccurate. Those are the prices I bought the games I wanted. In fact, they are the prices that are still in effect in many places. NOLF2 may be higher, but the other 5 are the same price. Hell even BF1942 is $24 or so now.

I know why they are more expensive. I know the royalties and stuff like that, I guess I should have pointed that out. I just think it sucks

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
What gets me is the used prices. I'd be happy with used ones if they were cheap (less than $25). BUT WTFFFFFFFFF

Eternal Darkness used is $39, while new it's $47? Whatever.

Why would a store sell a used game at half the original cost when there are people willing to pay $40 for a used one? To be honest I'm like you - I almost never buy a used game unless it's under $25 or it's really new and it's a decent price. (I bought Fuzion Frenzy finally from Radeon himself @ Gamestop for $17) But the store can make so much money buying used games for $15 a piece and then turning around and selling them for $40.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
ur pc game prices are inaccurate. those sale prices. quick amazon.com price for nolf 2 is 44 bux. add tax/shipping its past 50.

apples to oranges.

It's not inaccurate. Those are the prices I bought the games I wanted. In fact, they are the prices that are still in effect in many places. NOLF2 may be higher, but the other 5 are the same price. Hell even BF1942 is $24 or so now.

I know why they are more expensive. I know the royalties and stuff like that, I guess I should have pointed that out. I just think it sucks

You should probably change the title then:

Why are console games so dizam expensive compared to PC games?

 

[Dragnov]

Buy used for those games. You can find em for liek $25-30 sometimes. Check out Blockbuster and EBGames. Only reason to buy new is if its a brand new game that you want to play immediately. Just ask to see the case/cd and check the condition, most of them are in brand new condition. You don't want that feeling when you just buy the game for $50 and find it Blockbuster used for $29.99. (I know that is the price for Eternal Darkness.) Heck, you can find Madden 2003 for $29.99 used there even though it just came out.

Also check out the Gamecube List by AUTiger in the Hot Deals forum. I would get you a link but I'm too lazy. Search Gamecube in hot deals.

 

[mpitts]

Originally posted by: smp
Idiots spend more money.

 

[MrBond]

Here's the big list of gamecube stuff

Text

I just bought a GC from another AT user tonight . I need to pick up a copy of Super Smash Brothers Melee somewhere for some multiplayer action. I'll probalby get it used, but expect to pay at least $25 for it.

 

[Aves]

What gets me is that people sell back their used games for $20 and the stores turn around and sell them for $40.

I should just stand out front with a sign saying "I'll give you $5 more than the store for your used games".

 

[Staples]

Console games need to pay $8 royalty fee to the console manufacturer. PC games get to the store cheaper but that is not the whole reason, it is probably because it is a lot easier to warez games on PC and developers know that most PC gamers are smart enough to know how so they don't keep their prices as high because they may not sell many at $50.

 

[SoylentGreen]

I avoid spending 50 bucks a game on principle. I purchased many games in the genesis era for 50 back then and the game sometimes sucked.
I rent first.
Second, I get in on deals like EBGAMES. I got 4 games averaging 17 bucks each for my GC.
The 4 games I have now cost me even less I got 50 off 99 at ebgames before.
I have 8 games that now cost me about 120 bucks total.

 

[Frodolives]

Production costs of the actual item is considerably higher too. I'm not saying that should account for such a disparity though.

Also, I guess pc gamers are fortunate that the retail community has generally accepted that the shelf life of pc games is relatively short.

 

[BD231]

I'd say it all has to do with demand. Not many people have a computer fast enough to run UT2003 or the like with all the eye candy, and I know alot of guy's who just dont like the idea of sitting in front of a computer to play a game. They like to sit on the couch with a 46" TV and play in comfort. I think the price is as high as it is simply because people pay up.

 

[faZZter]

I'm sorry but the original poster is correct in saying PC games can be gotten cheaper than the console games. (good ones anyway)

For example...I think just last week Best Buy had UT2003 for 33.99....and there are coupons in game magazines (like PC gamer) for 15% off software titles 19.99 and up also.

I bought NOLF2 for 24.99 and BF 1942 for 19.99 at GoGamer's website. They are currently selling NOLF2 for 29.99 and BF1942 for 24.99!!!

They also have UT2003 for 32.99. They have "48 hour madness" sales where you can get really good deals. For example they have AOW2 for 19.90 right now.

Yes I realize there is shipping when you order from them or whoever. At Gogamer it is like 5.00 usually for one game, one dollar more for every other game so it is best to buy in two's or three's.

Still the total for both those games when I bought them was around 55.00 which is only about 5 dollars more than your average console AAA title (and so far I think both games are great!)

Best buy almost always puts new games on sale the between the first and 4th week a new title comes out. If you buy early cause you just can't wait then just pricematch later that month if it goes on sale. (often it does)

Bottom line is, if you do your homework you will never pay 50 dollars for new PC games.

Let's face it. Console manufacturers are all ripping us off on the software BIG time!!