Why are digital games...
- Thread starter ResonanceSD
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Producing physical copies of CDs from a fixed matrix is actually extremely cheap, once that matrix is created. The discs are just "stamped" and all the data is on there. The rest is mostly printing, and since most modern games don't include a decent manual anymore, that is not much.ResonanceSD said:
In digital distribution, although there are no physical media or transport costs involved, there still are some overhead costs to be considered, like the internet connection required for the distribution servers, the servers themselves, managing everything...
Also, the physical component of the game publishing process is probably the lowest cost factor of the whole process.
Partly this and just like DLC gouging is that publishers will charge as much as they think they can get away with.Cavan said:
Also there is less competion between digital stores especially when a game is exclusive to one store. XBLA, PSN, Origin.
On the other hand you have retail with brick and mortar and online and used sales which lowers the price quickly, also publishers manufacture x amount of copies based on how many they think they'll sell and there is a big difference between a run away success and a flop. Sometimes publishers get it very wrong like with Ubisoft with Child of Eden and Sega with Binary Domain.
On the other end of the scale you have the odd niche console game and handelds which have low number print runs and are successfull which keeps prices up. Nintendo's 1st party games are usually evergreen titles thats why they tend to stay near RRP
Because they want to make their cake and eat it too.ResonanceSD said:
They will complain about the pricing of used games at Gamestop and then turn around and offer pre-order incentives for buying at Gamestop. They will complain that their games are "intellectual property" and that they should be treated differently then physical media. But they want the same control over their games as physical media and control how and when and where it comes out. They want to make the most money possible as cheap as possible with as little work as possible thus comes DLC nickel and dime strategies. For the same reason making games in "the next gen" cost $10 more per game, even though we're not getting games that are "worth" $10 more content-wise (and in many cases less).
Because they are all hypocrites.
Pretty much this. Its the same reason why a lot of Kindle Books seem to be only slightly cheaper, or the same price, as their physical counterparts. (at launch day, they go down later, like everything else)Thaliur said:
Its because the vast majority of the money that you spend on a game goes towards paying the developers, the publishers and the retailers, not for paying the costs of production and shipping- because on a per-unit basis, those are relatively small (not sure how much, but its definitely less than £1 per unit, with each unit being £45 new.)
While it might be cheap to produce lots of copies for the game there is still a lot companies involved.
First we have the producer company, then the retail company, then any license fee they have to pay, the shipping cost and then split the money that is over to the company.
Most of those companies ain't gotta settle with 5$ for each copy, they put money on the line and they want it back so they most likely gonna take more than normal.
First we have the producer company, then the retail company, then any license fee they have to pay, the shipping cost and then split the money that is over to the company.
Most of those companies ain't gotta settle with 5$ for each copy, they put money on the line and they want it back so they most likely gonna take more than normal.
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Because people will still pay it, games will charge as much as they can, I'm a bit surprised that cod isn't going for $70 at this point. It would certainly hurt sales so I guess activision does have a lil foresight.
You sure that Amazon offers that in all countries? Try as I might, I can't find any reference to any direct download service, at least on the UK site.Buretsu said:
That's the only reason. It's also the reason why physical games are $60 to begin with; people will pay it. It has nothing to do with the cost of development at this point, it's just an arbitrary $10 increase on the already arbitrary cost of a game from last gen, done because people expect things to get more expensive over time.Loop Stricken said:
Because you've added another factor in place of packaging and shipping: Distribution fees.
And if you're going to be a jerk who claims "VALVE/CD PROJEKT/DIRECT2DRIVE/ETC DON'T DESERVE MY MONEY! I WANT CHEAP THINGS!": Everything is worth what someone will pay for it. If people are buying the games at the equivalent price (which they are), then too darn bad for you.
And if you're going to be a jerk who claims "VALVE/CD PROJEKT/DIRECT2DRIVE/ETC DON'T DESERVE MY MONEY! I WANT CHEAP THINGS!": Everything is worth what someone will pay for it. If people are buying the games at the equivalent price (which they are), then too darn bad for you.
