Soo, why do console version of computer games cost more?

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

Because consoles are the big candidates these days. PC gaming isn't dying but it's not what it used to be. The role PCs had have been passed on to consoles because they're easily accessible, have less security risks than a PC and are a one time deal. The mainstream idea is that you need to be a tech geek to be able to maintain a computer at an acceptable standard and most people aren't going to try and do it when they can buy a console which, if it breaks, is just sent straight back.

This leads to the main point. Consoles are the go to gaming unit these days. By the rules of supply and demand it's logical for games on consoles to be sold at a higher price than PCs. Whether a PC is superior or not to a console is irrelevant in the world of business, what is relevant is that consoles are selling better than PCs.

That said, I don't have the sales figures to back up my point.

 

[Jamesfox849]

How about just not buying so many games? That way your saving 40-50 dollars a piece

Because theres only a few times a year when I can actually buy games (december, basically) Because thats when I get money. I've been trying to get a job for a few months now, and as soon as I'm able to get one I will save up for a better computer, I just can't right now.

 

[Signa]

Wow, this thread reads like a troll thread. Not because the OP is a troll, but because everyone responding sounds like they are trying to spark a flamewar.

I know it was said, but I'll say it again: Licensing. It costs money to put a game on a closed console, and you as a consumer have to pay that extra cost.

Just one more reason to be a PC gamer IMO. That money, even if you can afford it, it just going to industry leaches. They didn't work to make that game good, and yet you are still paying them. Yes, I know that basically means I'm saying that MS doesn't deserve the money they make from the games that are on their system, but that's not exactly what I mean. What I mean is that they have a poor sales model if they think it's ok to get $10 per game sold when all they did was release a platform among others than don't charge that. It's not unfair for them to get it, but it's stupid to let them when you have other options.

 

[Jamesfox849]

Wow, this thread reads like a troll thread. Not because the OP is a troll, but because everyone responding sounds like they are trying to spark a flamewar.

I know it was said, but I'll say it again: Licensing. It costs money to put a game on a closed console, and you as a consumer have to pay that extra cost.

Just one more reason to be a PC gamer IMO. That money, even if you can afford it, it just going to industry leaches. They didn't work to make that game good, and yet you are still paying them. Yes, I know that basically means I'm saying that MS doesn't deserve the money they make from the games that are on their system, but that's not exactly what I mean. What I mean is that they have a poor sales model if they think it's ok to get $10 per game sold when all they did was release a platform among others than don't charge that. It's not unfair for them to get it, but it's stupid to let them when you have other options.

Thank you for answering the question, and for the other people who did as well.

 

[Ewyx]

Because us PC users tend to be stuck with shitty ports.

That doesn't make sense. Ports require more costs after the action. That should surely drive the price up?

No. Because you already have a finished product. Therefore compared to the work previously done for the primary platform, you basically do a lot less work in order to gain access to a secondary platform and to a whole new market.

 

[re dir]

when was the last time you bought a pc game from gamestop. I buy all my pc games on steam(except blizzard games). It probably costs less to give you a digital copy of the game, then to print out a disk copy. No disk printing, no licensing, no gamestop. There are probably other similar factors I don't know about

 

[mortalsatsuma]

Because Console versions of the games are put through more rigorous bug tests before release whereas PC versions do not. Hence the infamous "spinning head" glitch of the PC version of Fallout New Vegas.

 

[WittyInfidel]

hey, look, I bought a console for a few hundred and the game is guaranteed to work? Hot diggity! And I can hook it to my 64 inch HD TV without any special adapters? Deal!

I have to pay a few extra bucks for my version, but don't have to worry about driver updates, disk space requirements, viruses, if my video card is even compatible, ect? I think that's an even trade.

 

[WittyInfidel]

Because Console versions of the games are put through more rigorous bug tests before release whereas PC versions do not. Hence the infamous "spinning head" glitch of the PC version of Fallout New Vegas.

This was most often seen on XBox 360, I think. I know it was on my version.

[sub]sorry for the double post[/sub]

 

[mad825]

when was the last time you bought a pc game from gamestop. I buy all my pc games on steam(except blizzard games). It probably costs less to give you a digital copy of the game, then to print out a disk copy. No disk printing, no licensing, no gamestop. There are probably other similar factors I don't know about

In my experience, a digital copy (and Steam in particular) is the most expensive when it comes down to the average price of a game.

Hell, even physical copies of Steam enabled games are cheaper on average -.-

 

[Snotnarok]

Ermm... why is the console version `obviously inferior'?

Less modding support, worse community, less support in general.

It varies on the company, but on the whole, computer games just tend to be better.

valve console games are a good example of little support (Especially Tf2)

For every example like TF2 I'm pretty sure I could come up with a shitty PC port (e.g. Resident Evil 4, or GTA 4).

Not trying to start an argument here or whatever but...They've done some pretty cool things with RE4 for PC, better graphics and lighting mods, even character mods.

Looking up some videos, even if the game had a rough launch it looks like the best version to me. Then again I got the PS2 version and people call that one crap compared to the wii/GCN version.

 

[mad825]

Not trying to start an argument here or whatever but...They've done some pretty cool things with RE4 for PC, better graphics and lighting mods, even character mods.

Looking up some videos, even if the game had a rough launch it looks like the best version to me. Then again I got the PS2 version and people call that one crap compared to the wii/GCN version.

ha! it has no mouse support.

 

[Firetaffer]

Um, it's pretty simple, the developers of the console get a small fee for every game sold.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Because the console versions are inferior to PC. They should cost more. Makes sense or not: That's enough a reason for me at least.

 

[Gahars]

Presumably because of money being paid to Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo in order to publish the game on their systems.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Licensing fees. That is why console games are $60 and PC games are $50. As for those PC games that are $60, the person setting the price (most of the time it's with Activision-Blizzard) is just a prick.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

hey, look, I bought a console for a few hundred and the game is guaranteed to work?

The fact that consoles are cheap is part of the reason the games cost more. Console manufacturers will take a loss for the first few years of a console's product life to maximise market penetration. They recoup this by taking a cut from every game sold for their system. It's a textbook example of Loss Leader sales.

 

[HavoK 09]

if the console game is ported from the original pc version, makes sense since it has to be reworked a bit.

but its more because people are willin to do it and blu-rays cost more than DVDs(thinking about ps3 cases)

 

[The Lunatic]

"Console Tax".

Royalty fee to the console manufacturer.

 

[Da_Schwartz]

Plastic boxes as Opposed to cardboard ???