Poll: Games prices in Australia

[Luke Cartner]

So an important point to note the Australian dollar and the US dollar are almost 1 for 1.
That said most games here are expensive, Fable 3 is $120 AUD yet a quick search online shows in the US it is $60. Given exchange rate wise this means if I was to fly to the US I could pay about half what I pay here I was curious. Would you guys who live in the US still buy games if they cost twice as much?

 

[oplinger]

No. I wouldn't pay $120 for a game. I wouldn't be able to feed my gaming habit then <.<

Also you get extra shipping costs. and...I believe a tax? ..You'd know better than me though >.>

 

[PureChaos]

hell no. i'd pay £30 if it was a game i really wanted, Skyward Sword i'll pay mor for, but generally they need to be around £20

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

It's a serious rip-off, and I have no clue what's causing it...but it's the same with most things down here right now. I'd chalk it up to greed or it just being a habit.

Whatever the case, it's entirely unfair to consumers. I refuse to fund a process like that, and instead buy online or order overseas, get a good 50-75% off even with shipping costs included.

Frustrates me to no end...hate the way this country works sometimes.

 

[CrystalShadow]

It's gotten that bad has it?

I remember the average game being $100, or later on $60...

$120 is insane, but I have seen it once or twice. (wing commander 3 comes to mind).

UK prices were bad when the exchange rate with the Aussie dollar used to be about 2.5 to 1.
But it doesn't look quite so bad now to pay £35.

 

[linwolf]

No, where I live new games are 95 US dollar and that is way more than I feel is fair.

 

[Stollos]

Yeah, I pay $120. But I don't like to. But its my only choice in my current situation, otherwise i'd get into digital distribution (where possible). Though I do bargain hunt, and I can sometimes get them as cheap as $80 (when dealing with hyped up new release that are otherwise $120).

Yeah, I don't have many games.

EDIT: Just for clarity, I voted yes, I would pay 120 bucks for a game I really wanted. Because the only alternative for me is to not get the game at all.

 

[Estocavio]

I bought Fable 3 for $105 here - Thats the usual rate for new games in Australia.

The thing is though, that the value of money (NOT the exchange rate) is different. As in, the whole cost system is different, therefore the price is practically the same.

Having said that, importing things and exploiting the little loophole in currency exchange makes everything cheaper, since 60USD = 70AUD approx.

 

[Keepitclean]

It's a serious rip-off, and I have no clue what's causing it...but it's the same with most things down here right now. I'd chalk it up to greed or it just being a habit.

Whatever the case, it's entirely unfair to consumers. I refuse to fund a process like that, and instead buy online or order overseas, get a good 50-75% off even with shipping costs included.

Frustrates me to no end...hate the way this country works sometimes.

It's because people will pay that much. Jb Hifi seems to be the only pace with half reasonable launch day prices. All the big chain department shops like Target and Big W have ridiculous game prices. Back when PGR3 was new Myer wanted to charge me $139 for it. I said fuck that and bought if for $60 elsewhere.

 

[Vrach]

So an important point to note the Australian dollar and the US dollar are almost 1 for 1.
That said most games here are expensive, Fable 3 is $120 AUD yet a quick search online shows in the US it is $60. Given exchange rate wise this means if I was to fly to the US I could pay about half what I pay here I was curious. Would you guys who live in the US still buy games if they cost twice as much?

I'd really suggest Steam mate, their prices are (afaik) universal. But yeah, that pretty much sucks, unless you standard is somehow twice the one in US, which I kinda doubt... seriously don't get why else they'd ramp up the prices that much for Aussies, outside the usual "because we can".

 

[RicoADF]

It'll be about 8 bucks shipping, though you'll need to mod your console to read games from USA, being different regions and all.

Yes...it's pretty rip-off down here.

Not for PS3, or PC

So an important point to note the Australian dollar and the US dollar are almost 1 for 1.
That said most games here are expensive, Fable 3 is $120 AUD yet a quick search online shows in the US it is $60. Given exchange rate wise this means if I was to fly to the US I could pay about half what I pay here I was curious. Would you guys who live in the US still buy games if they cost twice as much?

I'd really suggest Steam mate, their prices are (afaik) universal. But yeah, that pretty much sucks, unless you standard is somehow twice the one in US, which I kinda doubt... seriously don't get why else they'd ramp up the prices that much for Aussies, outside the usual "because we can".

As Yatzee says (first time I've quoted him):

"I like to think of it as having the better beaches tax"

well beaches and everything else

 

[archaicmalevolence]

not really as with current exchange rates 60USD is basically the same as 60 AUS only gotta pay for postage.

 

[biGBum333]

not really as with current exchange rates 60USD is basically the same as 60 AUS only gotta pay for postage.

this is probably a dumb question. but would those games still work outside the US?

 

[RicoADF]

not really as with current exchange rates 60USD is basically the same as 60 AUS only gotta pay for postage.

this is probably a dumb question. but would those games still work outside the US?

PS3 & PC games you can put in and play, nothing stopping you. Idk about Wii or Xbox as I don't own nor am I interested in them

 

[archaicmalevolence]

not really as with current exchange rates 60USD is basically the same as 60 AUS only gotta pay for postage.

this is probably a dumb question. but would those games still work outside the US?

Most games will unless their region-locked, which is very few nowadays. Just gotta check if they're Pal or something else.

 

[oplinger]

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/video/default.htm?pres=20080331_2100&story=6

Ta da. Explained.

 

[Athlumney]

I would only pay that much if I really wanted the game which I did with Halo:Reach at EB, got a good tip from a friend for Black Ops though Big W selling it for $83 on release which is good considering Modernwarfare 2 is still selling for $80 here.

 

[Brownie101]

I have never payed that much for a game. And seeing those prices always makes me feel good I use Steam. I have never seen a game I would buy over about $80. Yahtzee hit the nail on the head with it being the nicest beaches tax.