301: Strapped for Cash
- Thread starter Art Axiv
- Start date
Recommended Videos
The minimum wage in Brazil is around 300 US$. A PS3 here costs around 1.200 US$. Do the math.
I am privileged to be able to play games legally, but I am not an hypocrite: games in lesser economies cost an outrageous amount of money. Governments and the game companies have to understand the sheer size of this market and act accordingly.
Or, you'll have millions and millions of pirated consoles and games, such as the PS2 in Brazil.
I am privileged to be able to play games legally, but I am not an hypocrite: games in lesser economies cost an outrageous amount of money. Governments and the game companies have to understand the sheer size of this market and act accordingly.
Or, you'll have millions and millions of pirated consoles and games, such as the PS2 in Brazil.
The hardest part about going "on a budget" from not being on a budget is the wait. If you are buy now, buy buy buy, the newest and latest, then when you start the wait for titles to go down in price can be hell.
For me it was easy - my gaming was cut from every day to once per week. This made it extremely difficult to justify new game prices. Now that I can play more often, I am used to waiting for games to be discounted.
I still buy the occasional new title - but only if there is a MP aspect that I want to play. If you wait too long on some games, the MP dries up and blows away.
For me it was easy - my gaming was cut from every day to once per week. This made it extremely difficult to justify new game prices. Now that I can play more often, I am used to waiting for games to be discounted.
I still buy the occasional new title - but only if there is a MP aspect that I want to play. If you wait too long on some games, the MP dries up and blows away.
A GameFly membership can pay for itself with a single sale. I picked up many a game for $15 or less on one of their sales, and the game is often brand new.Alone Disciple said:
Gaming in Serbia is not easy by any means. Newly released titles go from about 70 Euros, and what they consider to be bargains are really not even close in terms of price. When I bought my 360, I had no idea how to acquire games. That is when I discovered importing. I can only do this with a handful of sites, but the prices are absolutely amazing. I can get a game that was released only a few months ago for about 50%-60% of it's initial price. Of course, occasionally, I like to save up for a new release (i.e. LA Noire).
Importing is excellent. However, not being part of the EU can hit that potential. The problem is customs. About 99% of the time I had no problems, but I remember ordering Black Ops which was about 40 Euros at Play-Asia when it was released, only to get a customs bill of about 18 Euros. Fortunately, I haven't had this problem since. Most of the people that play games here do tend to pirate them. Mostly it's because of pure ignorance, and not realizing the importance of purchasing games and other software. Many say that this is because they have low income, however, with an income that is about 40% lower than the average wage, I've managed to purchase an Xbox 360, an additional wireless controller, and a library of some 20+ games in just over 2 years. Now, I can't afford Live Gold but if there's a game that I really want to play online, I can get at least a month.
It's all about priority. The best tactic is to always have at least 20 Euros on your account and the great deals will come (i.e. Red Dead Redemption for 20 Euros).
Importing is excellent. However, not being part of the EU can hit that potential. The problem is customs. About 99% of the time I had no problems, but I remember ordering Black Ops which was about 40 Euros at Play-Asia when it was released, only to get a customs bill of about 18 Euros. Fortunately, I haven't had this problem since. Most of the people that play games here do tend to pirate them. Mostly it's because of pure ignorance, and not realizing the importance of purchasing games and other software. Many say that this is because they have low income, however, with an income that is about 40% lower than the average wage, I've managed to purchase an Xbox 360, an additional wireless controller, and a library of some 20+ games in just over 2 years. Now, I can't afford Live Gold but if there's a game that I really want to play online, I can get at least a month.
It's all about priority. The best tactic is to always have at least 20 Euros on your account and the great deals will come (i.e. Red Dead Redemption for 20 Euros).
Reminds me of living in the Phillipines for a month.
Trying to find a legit copy of a game. THEY DON'T EXIST THERE. And I'm not talking about some shitty stall, I'm talking about biggest mall in that part of Asia, huge chain store, every game is pirated.
It's not even unobvious pirating, I'm pretty sure Nintendo didn't make a 26 games in one DS cartridge... or Pokemon Citadark Version with the kid from Pokemon XD on the cover.
Though it makes sense I guess, the consoles and actually legit games are UBER expensive.
Trying to find a legit copy of a game. THEY DON'T EXIST THERE. And I'm not talking about some shitty stall, I'm talking about biggest mall in that part of Asia, huge chain store, every game is pirated.
It's not even unobvious pirating, I'm pretty sure Nintendo didn't make a 26 games in one DS cartridge... or Pokemon Citadark Version with the kid from Pokemon XD on the cover.
Though it makes sense I guess, the consoles and actually legit games are UBER expensive.
I found it especially depressing since the situation in my country is even worse.beema said:
The average salary is around 481.95$ while prices are like in other EU countries. Games are even more expensive then in EU countries. I know that Crysis 2 was around 80$ when it came out. Getting it shipped from some EU country isn't an option since most shops don't ship, or require additional payment which makes it almost the same cost, just with longer waiting time.
So yeah.... gaming in my country is really depressing.
Wait a min wait a min. The current exchange rate for Zlotys is 1 Polish zloty = 0.3657 US dollars
So that means that an xbox 360 costs 303 dollars in Poland. I did a google search and xbox 360's are going for $299.99 Source [http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=xbox+360&hl=en&prmd=ivnsur&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5811152239504083464&sa=X&ei=FsOoTdTmIcaCtgfyo7HeBw&ved=0CI4BEPMCMAY#]
Means games are 80 bucks too that's kinda steep but the console cost doesn't seem to bad. And as for the Salary they are talking about, I make about much ($940 or/ 2570.4270 zlotys) and I can't afford an Xbox 360 either.
This is one of the few articles I didn't really care for. I guess I resent the assertion that its harder to be a gamer in Poland.
So that means that an xbox 360 costs 303 dollars in Poland. I did a google search and xbox 360's are going for $299.99 Source [http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=xbox+360&hl=en&prmd=ivnsur&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5811152239504083464&sa=X&ei=FsOoTdTmIcaCtgfyo7HeBw&ved=0CI4BEPMCMAY#]
Means games are 80 bucks too that's kinda steep but the console cost doesn't seem to bad. And as for the Salary they are talking about, I make about much ($940 or/ 2570.4270 zlotys) and I can't afford an Xbox 360 either.
This is one of the few articles I didn't really care for. I guess I resent the assertion that its harder to be a gamer in Poland.
I suppose being in the UK means I'm quite lucky. We've got a few budget ranges, such as Mastertronic's MAD and SoldOut) and pretty much everything by Focus. I still think some of our games are relatively expensive, such as the £35 price tag for Starcraft 2 (Compared to the £25-30 price tag for most new games) and the more popular titles tend not to drop in price all that much. I think The Sims 3 has mostly hovered around the £30 price point since release.
It sucks that it costs so much in countries like Brazil and Poland, and they do have my sympathy, and I hope the prices drop to more reasonable levels over time.
The world doesn't work like that. At all. There are taxes to consider, possibly import fees, supply/demand and other factors. $303 is a lot if your income is $606, is it not? It's all relative.
It sucks that it costs so much in countries like Brazil and Poland, and they do have my sympathy, and I hope the prices drop to more reasonable levels over time.
Sandytimeman said:
The world doesn't work like that. At all. There are taxes to consider, possibly import fees, supply/demand and other factors. $303 is a lot if your income is $606, is it not? It's all relative.
I'm from Poland and I don't have a problem like you do tbh. If you got a good job and move you ass more than the avrage slackers do than you can afford much much more. I'm a lawyer plus I learn at a university and is ok if you do some work on weekends.
Really depresing article and tbh it generalises too much and shows Poland as a country of poor people which is not true, well not mostly.
I didn't like it.
Really depresing article and tbh it generalises too much and shows Poland as a country of poor people which is not true, well not mostly.
I didn't like it.
Thanks everyone for commenting! I've also learned a thing or two thanks to you guys!
Plus.
You're a lawyer and a lecturer. I can't believe you are a lawyer and a student, it's impossible. Anyway, if you meant that you are a student of law or you are a lecturer and you do work on weekends - great! But I wouldn't say that just everyone can get a part-time job, have their university costs and living costs paid by parents and easily concentrate on working to afford your hobby. By the description you have gave us, I could say you are quite lucky! So yeah, congratulations!
About generalization:
It is obvious that in every society, the top quartile of people who earn much above the average will not complain... I'd even add that it's quite OK to game while earning the average salary too, but then again you need to pay living costs. I'm not so sure everyone who games in our country is so eager to pay for games as you are. Hopefully I'm wrong.
I was working in Britain a few years ago, and when I went to GAME I felt like I could buy the whole store with a budget of 200 quid. The point is, gaming should be quite accessible - and it's not when the prices are steep. And this is the secondary role of the article, to clash realities and create contrast!
Thanks for reading though!
Fantastic post! If you'd like to talk, I'm always available through IM channels, or even e-mail if you fancy.Smitty of the Tolchocks said:
Don't you think that the point is, that you shouldn't have to murder yourself by working 24/7 to play the latest installment of a game?Theotherguy said:
Plus.
You're a lawyer and a lecturer. I can't believe you are a lawyer and a student, it's impossible. Anyway, if you meant that you are a student of law or you are a lecturer and you do work on weekends - great! But I wouldn't say that just everyone can get a part-time job, have their university costs and living costs paid by parents and easily concentrate on working to afford your hobby. By the description you have gave us, I could say you are quite lucky! So yeah, congratulations!
About generalization:
It is obvious that in every society, the top quartile of people who earn much above the average will not complain... I'd even add that it's quite OK to game while earning the average salary too, but then again you need to pay living costs. I'm not so sure everyone who games in our country is so eager to pay for games as you are. Hopefully I'm wrong.
I was working in Britain a few years ago, and when I went to GAME I felt like I could buy the whole store with a budget of 200 quid. The point is, gaming should be quite accessible - and it's not when the prices are steep. And this is the secondary role of the article, to clash realities and create contrast!
Thanks for reading though!
Exactly, relativism and free economy at its finest.coldalarm said:
Great article.
It's not often people talk about the economic realites of gaming in todays broken system.
Many, many people are pretty strapped right now and gaming becomes pretty expensive if you let it.
It's all about value Vs worth.
Take Minecraft and Amnesia
D, 2 very cheap games that I have been playing for a loooong time.
I sincerly doubt I'd play any 60-70 buck xbox game for as long as I've been playing those 2 titles.
It's not often people talk about the economic realites of gaming in todays broken system.
Many, many people are pretty strapped right now and gaming becomes pretty expensive if you let it.
It's all about value Vs worth.
Take Minecraft and Amnesia
D, 2 very cheap games that I have been playing for a loooong time.I sincerly doubt I'd play any 60-70 buck xbox game for as long as I've been playing those 2 titles.
I concur. I've been enjoying Minecraft significantly more than most of the various mainstream titles I have sitting on the shelf.Preacher zer0 said:Great article.
It's not often people talk about the economic realites of gaming in todays broken system.
Many, many people are pretty strapped right now and gaming becomes pretty expensive if you let it.
It's all about value Vs worth.
Take Minecraft and Amnesia
I sincerly doubt I'd play any 60-70 buck xbox game for as long as I've been playing those 2 titles.
Ok, where to start.Art Axiv said:
A) I teach/learn people at the university, I finished my studies some time ago.
B) I'm not top qualified, I didn't finish what we call "aplication" in Poland, but I earn money above the Polish avrage. You don't need to be "top" of the foodchain to afford games, you just need to put a bit more effort in it, if you didn't finish good studies and stuff you can't really think cash will shower on you, now can you.
And C) Yeah Britain is richer, and some games are cheaper there(like NDS ones) but still, like I said if you work a bit more you can afford it. And sometimes there is just no other option if you want a good living in Poland.
But you know the article was soooo pesimistic, really, that was the only part of it that made me post.
While I'm completely against pirating as a whole, I've obviously never had to experience this in my country. In the UK, I make about £900 a month. The average, brand new, released game is around £42 in my region of the country (I know independent shops where I can get it much cheaper, but that's neither here nor there).
So, to work it out, I could get around 21 brand new release games at average cost with my pay packet. I can see why it's unfair they're at ridiculous cost elsewhere from that perspective, and when they start introducing more and more invasive DRM and anti-pirate countermeasures they've got to at some point take a step back and realise how many people would actually buy the game if they lowered the price to a state where people can actually afford it.
So, to work it out, I could get around 21 brand new release games at average cost with my pay packet. I can see why it's unfair they're at ridiculous cost elsewhere from that perspective, and when they start introducing more and more invasive DRM and anti-pirate countermeasures they've got to at some point take a step back and realise how many people would actually buy the game if they lowered the price to a state where people can actually afford it.