http://www.gamedrift.com/articles.php?a=227

February 3rd 2007
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Geoff Keighley hosts a new episode of the Bonus Round with Ed Zobrist, Sean Spector, Michael Pachter. This weeks topic the raising prices on next gen games. Get ready for another legendary quote from the Pachtmister, when asked if games are to expensive his responce? "No, I think consumers are getting a gift" O RLLY!?!

This affects consoles only (For the moment that is)

So,

- THREAD MOVED -

I belief PC games have become cheaper with respect to inflation. I still remember starcraft used to cost about 120 and now games are about 100 though not much difference but it has became cheaper cos other stuff have became more expensive.

e-distribution ala steam should lower game prices in the future. but i'll miss those ori packaging (cover+manual) and shiny discs

all those free-to-start-playing (buy points to play more) asian MMORPGs are also good value for money & a great business model for game publishers & consumers alike.

i think xbox4 will sell older xbox360 games very cheap via downloads & DLC.

PC games' prices have been sort of constant for the past decade... Its only our economy that is making the prices go up and down locally.

Anyway, the standard price for games here is still around RM 120.

hmm take a example how much is it when WoW Starter Pack Released?Now RM99 only at Game Shop

Yalor... the next gen games are getting more expensive
Almost all of the PS3, and Wii games are priced above RM180++, whereas previously a PS2, Xbox, gamecube games are priced around RM120++ only

Now wanted to buy next gen console also having second thought...

For consoles, you buy the hardware cheap since the console makers are selling it at a loss. The only way to make up for it is to get back some cash for every game sold.

For the pc, you already spent a bundle on the hardware. Since the hardware makers already got their share by the hardware purchase, the game developers does not require any payment to the hardware makers unlike thier console counterparts. Some games the hardware manufacturers sponsor the game like Nvidia or ATI.

not sure about other console developers,but sony requires(at least for the psx/ps2,they did) the games developers to buy the media(dvd/cd) from them.(sony)

unlike pc developers who can just ship the games on any cd/dvd they wish

Bloody $ony blood sucker! not only their devkit is expensive and yet still force developers to use $ony media?

No wonder most of the developers prefer to develop PC games since it's cheaper to produce.

Oh ya... I think console game developers will have to spend more time doing debug to get rid of the bugs... (Pre-PS3/X360/Wii era), because there's no way they can patch the bug once the title is release, unlike PC games it can be full of bugs when it's release and can be fix easily by applying a patch.
Let's hope the next gen console games won't end up like most of the PC games which are full of bugs.

I agree. For the price of full fledge HD gaming, i rather get myself a better golf set. It's way better and healthier entertainment than gaming.

http://www.superufo.com/product_html/Ninte...orts_Pack.html#

http://www.superufo.com/item_photo/item/wi...pack-real-4.jpg

LOL, 2 for 1 and 1 for all sizes. But not quite the same la.

I believe this arrangement applies to all console games even Xbox and Nintendo

I missed the PS2 era because it came out at a time when I'm a young graduate and was working my way up the corporate ladder. It's true somebody posted PS3 games for RM180???? I remember going to Sony Wings in KLCC back then and FFVII or FF8 would have cost 380 or more.

Two things:

1) Games aren't getting more expensive. It the ringgit to dollar conversion that kills us.

2) I wish someone would publish the games locally. If the price is, say, RM59.90 per original game, I wouldn't mind buying! Quality and you get the full package!

OT:


my point is,you can find something wrong with anything if you look hard enough
yes,full hd gaming is expensive.
but at least you can do more things with it
and get a wii,exercise settled

Aiya... I'm sure that won't stop we hardcorer's ok! thanks!

From time 2time, of course the price up (No matter console/games/accessory). But like gnsumas said earlier, ppl will still buy for sure (apply for collectors/hardcore too)

Yala... Malaysia is full of cetak rompak games but all the special editions are hard to find (pirated) but then the ori games can go online and have the special version so no matter how much the pirates some will still buy ori ok! thanks!

errr whatever 3.5 times higher (USD) surely consider expensive

Lots of thing to settle if someone publish the games locally, ppl from other countries will try to import game published in Malaysia as it's cheap so they have to block the import/export and then recieve complain etc etc.

video games, expensive? definitely.
ever since it exist here in m'sia (lets exclude piracy for a moment) think about it. *sigh!* and i can enjoy the full experience when i buy a HD tv, internet connection with accounts to pay for (whatever happened to friends coming to ur place n play games?)...so anti-social, but i love it, video games that is.

but have u forgotten somehting.. games are getting more realistic, more things have been introduced... more powerful machines.. new technology. All these needs cost, and cost to produce a pacman compare to gears of wars is so vast.

But im also a human.. me also will complain.. games are so much expensive nowdays.. hahhaha

is there anything tat is cheap now?

Teh Tarik, Pasar Malam CDs and public transport.

No...video games is not getting expensive. It is Malaysian that is getting poorer every day. Petrol price increase, houses price increase...almost everything has increase in price yet Malaysian salary have stay stagnant.

pasar malam cd is cheap, but not teh tarik and public transport

u support PIRATE?

Gaming is getting expensive...but u can see parents almost every festive season or school break buy console for their children. I mean....during my days I hv to fork out my own money + my sister's to buy a nintendo famicom clone (during that time about RM300). Save for about a year using pocket money.

Nowadays kids not yet in kindergarden can get a GBA SP or even a DS and a PSP thrown in without not much of a hassle.

This post has been edited by PhoenixByte: Dec 16 2007, 06:41 PM

kids these days own last generation handhelds like GBA ans GBA SPs...i dont see very many play with DS...

Im talking about grade school kids and kindegarteners....they dont buy PSPs or DSs...they opt for the cheaper and pirate infected consoles like the PS2 and PS1..

Just recently i watched a father and son buy a PS1 ....fully modded will cost you RM550....

I later learned that the family was from a kampung in Lumut...which probably explained why the father shelled out another RM300 on fake games...that probably accounts to about 150 games...

So my point is, young kids who dont know about games or wants to start playing games will opt for the cheapest set availible to them despite the fact some sets are outdated by 10 full years...

errr, ps1 for 550?
i dont think ps1 need to be modded though

i agree everything increase when petrol increase
no increase in salary though...
expensive la videogames

Yes, console Gaming is becoming expensive. Before, there is no need to buy HD display to display game, now need a HD display to fully show the game graphic. If u havent got HD display, u need to buy first then only satisfy. Now like PC game have to buy display and cpu

Video gaming hobby does not come cheap lar.

to add to ur point, kids thesedays, (born from 1990 onwards) are way luckier than those born in 80s

handphones, psp, nds, xbox, ps3 and pc are their default gadgets, many of them fully own a handphone and a pc, unlike us which need to share pc with family 10 years ago, we use public phones, our first phone was 3310 or 8810 something... now they can have as high as N series phone...

of course that doesn't reflect most of the malaysian population... but from many ppl around me, its true

Well if only our govt would do something to support this industry and try their best to push for a localisation of the games here, which means cheaper products. Singapore is doing it. Maybe insetad of wasting money building tons of fly-over, they could shove money down developer's throat to get the localisation rights. Which I don't think they are planning to do anytime soon.

And about experiencing the full graphics of next-gen gaming. To be honest, it's not a necessity. It' about personal satisfaction. I am still enjoying my PS3 and 360 even with my old Bomba 29". If can't afford, get what is needed. You don't have to go all the way. It's abit redundant to think it's a necessity when you can't afford it. Unless the game won't even start or show any image without a HDTV, then it's not a necessity.

So what if a game looks f*cking nice? If the gameplay is shitty and not playable, does the graphic worth that much money spent? And again, if you don't have the money don't try to go all the way and complain it's expensive.

And regarding PC games. They have low, medium and high requirements. If you can't afford for high, go medium then. If you can't be contented with medium settings and won't settle for anything other than high even though you can't afford it. You are pretty dumb to be honest...

It's like, you only have money enough for a piece of roti canai but you want a lobster just so you could be satisfied. Humans are greedy what to do.

This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 17 2007, 12:27 AM

when the hell gaming go cheap?...

I still rem I bought Famicom cartridge abt rm180 tht time...

pirated games make u guys corrupted mind...

RM 5 yeah... dude i pay u rm5 for ur afford to work in an office for 3 years or more?


A game develop year and year.. what do they eat? ur cheap a$$ 5 bucks pirated CD?

lol....

Liked Muchi said.. if u can't afford BMW then get proton lor.. if still
can't get bike.... still reach same destination..

Dude think abt people works... they put afford and time in.. just for ur rm 5 bucks.. which tht 5 bucks not give to them as well...

and btw I bought my ps2 same price with more expensive then ps3 40GB or xbox360 now...


This post has been edited by DarkSaviour: Dec 17 2007, 03:53 PM

damm game is expensive.... who say its cheap?????

but easy la actually... if u dont have money or less money to spend on game.... then there is one way.... first... list all the game u wanna play.. list it each and every one of them.... wait and wait for few years... those game will go down in price... then u buy.. one by one of ur most wanted game.... even though its out dated for most but its ur money right who care.....

i buy outdated game last time.. since im not rich lol... but if i buy new game now tend to fall around rm 200 range.. hehehe now got better pay so can afford those collectors edition.. lol.. bw support ori game, buy those u like and want to play, if u not support those developer they wont make any more... see psp.. now less good game come out due to alot of piracy and all.. so dont let this thing happen to other console such as xb360, ps3 or wii..

cant buy alot at once buy one at a time once a month or so.... u not so lihai playing all title at once..... just play one title once finish then buy again...

but i agree some game are over priced.... even the non collector edition still sooo overprice.... this kind of game dont buy...hahaha

Yeah the games is still expensive!
Should be like RM1 or RM2 instead of RM5

why?

even the Americans and Singaporeans dont get the games that cheap.

This post has been edited by Hitman190: Dec 17 2007, 07:04 PM

It's a catch-22
We don't get cheaper localized games because we don't have enough ppl buying games and we don't have people buying games because they are so expensive.

And they are friggin expensive, a fresh grad in the US can earn about 1.5-2k also, the same as here. But we are the ones paying 3.5x more for the games.

To me. video game titles for the current consoles are never cheap. That's why we have to choose wisely when making a purchase Pick the one with the highest replay value and also the one which could last considerably longer.

Jadilah pengguna yang bijak.

And food for thought, game devs do not earn even one cent from pirated and used game sales. If you don't support the industry, don't even complain when they can't make kick ass games anymore in the future.

Here is a simple logic:

AAA quality costs: RM100
Shitty quality costs: RM5

And you want to pay RM5 for AAA quality, that is really pushing it. If you work in a company, you work your ass off and your boss pay you like crap would you be happy? I am gonna work in a game company soon, so let me tell you this, we game developers are human too. We need money to buy food and whatever to survive too. We don't shit money out of no where...

i want to be in game company toooo. what is the requirement ? ?

Pirated yes, the developers earn nothing. But I disagree with the statement dishing used games. For a game to be sold as second hand, it has to be original in the first place, hence the developers would have already benefited. In an ideal world, i would love to keep every game, but i do need to generate funds to buy new games. Indirectly, the second hand market would also contribute to the developement of the local gaming community/scene does it not?

well I look at it this way, average price of a cd in US dollars =~ $14.00
a AAA ps3 blu-ray game =~$60

so a ps3 game costs about 4.2 times more than an audio cd over there

average cost of cd in malaysia = RM44.00
ps3 AAA title = RM 200. (being modest here)

a ps3 game costs about 4.5 times more than an audio cd here.

So yes ps3 games are expensive here

Nope. Not at all.

Shop A selling original games. Ben goes and buy 1 game. So that means the game company earn sales profit of 1 copy of game.

Situation A:
Ben sells the game to Ken. Money goes into Ben's pocket. Game company don't see 1 cent.

Situation B:
Ken buys the same game that Ben has but it's a new copy. So that means, now the game company have 2 copies of games sold.

So now, you tell me which situation profits the game company? If situation A is put into a constant loop. The game company would only have 1 copy sold regardless of the game been resold a thousand times.

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Added on December 17, 2007, 11:02 pmRegarding my post above kurtkob78's post, I am arguing the fact that people shouldn't ask so much when they don't want to pay for the full amount.

This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 17 2007, 11:09 PM

I'm thinking this way, when we buy used game from the one who support original, he will have cash to buy a new ori title. If he dont have cash, then buy pirate cause desperate

Consumer complain of expensive price, consumer goes pirate cd.
developer complain of pirated cd, developer goes after consumer.

its all wrong. Developer should understand consumer needs and consumer needs to understand that developers need money to continue.

Solution for malaysia game scene is having a discussion of both party.

What's the difference.

Example.. Game A from Company A, because game A keeps reselling. Company A earns only from 1 copy of game sold.

So what if the guy who support ori games but he buy a new game from Company B?

It does not change the fact that Company A won't earn any money from game sales of Game A.

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Added on December 17, 2007, 11:20 pm@funnyTONE - If only it was that simple

This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 17 2007, 11:20 PM

Modest indeed. As long as Malaysia's price for original console games (not necessary consoles but other forms of media included) do not get a fixed price like in the US 59.90 for a current gen game and much more cheaper for bargain bin ones, don't expect original media adoption rate to rise very high.

Actually if converted everything to USDm, it's not expensive... But US people pay with USD, that's why they can afford ori... We only got RM... How to survive la ori?

Haha yep. I am still waiting for the day our currency is on par with Singapore's currency

Muchi, the world is obviously in black and white for you, as such there is little point in trying to convince you the merits of a healthy second hand market is there?

This post has been edited by madmoz: Dec 18 2007, 11:44 AM

Better still if MYR 1 == USD2 then we can buy lots of game per month! But this would nvr happen unless US has some serios economic problem that cause their currency to drop but by then games in US will also be USD200++ already!

This is getting no where....
What is the point, isnt these has been discuss quite some time ago.
Why argue over sumthing thats cheap and expensive.
Malaysia emphasis, jadilah penguna yang bijak. Buy the neccesary. Spent wisely.
Product A = RmXXX, Product B = RMxx
Functionality of product A and Product B outcome the same thing.
Objective of A and B also same.
If you would to asked penguna yang bijak.
I am sure you would know the answer....
Bhahahahahah. Just my 2 Cents.

Defending the used game market, more or less is like defending the pirated game market. Everything comes down to money and affordability. Anyone who wants to argue from this point on, I don't see any point in arguing back.

I was just merely stating a fact. It certainly won't change anyone's mindset or even stop people from buying used games as well as pirated games. But I just find it amusing that some people say support original to support the industry but they support second hand market which indirectly causes harm to the industry. I just feel that some people need to know what actually happens before they think that they are doing a great deal for the industry.

At the end of the day we won't want to see the game industry die a second time would we? Remember 1983-1984? But I think not much people do know bout that? I wonder.

Oh well. Anyone can do whatever they want. Just make sure you know well off what is actually happening.

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Added on December 18, 2007, 12:28 pmI second what maintenance said

This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 18 2007, 12:28 PM

Wow, nothing like personnel insults to get reply!
Think out of the box, dude.

I buy a whole load more games when living in Oz and the UK simply because i know that i would be able to get some money off them when I'm done. How does buying more games not benefit the industry? In this case, has a healthy second hand market not indirectly meant more of my hard earned cash going to the developers? You can argue all you want about sales figures being lower etc as second hand market sales do not directly benefit the developer, but would those who are not inclined to purchase first hand originals have opted to buy pirated copies instead? Which is the lesser of two evils?

Again i would like to highlight that the world is not in black and white. A second hand market makes gaming more affordable to the public. And, unlike piracy, there needs to be a supply of first hand originals for a second hand market to work. Being affordable means that more ppl will start going legit*. The market grows, and the developers/publishers benefit too, no?

* Selling of software is not 100% legit as for the PC you are purchasing a license and not the CD/DVD it comes in... no such ruling yet for consoles as far as i know.

I feel kinda disgusted that you lump second hand goods as being as bad as pirated goods.

Btw, unless i'm very mistaken, maintenance's post is indirectly advocating the purchase of pirated goods. As a person who pertains to want the industry to not die and is about to enter the industry itself, I question your judgement

May I dare ask, do you support originals?

This post has been edited by madmoz: Dec 18 2007, 01:12 PM

Lol, about your first two paragraphs, there is no point in arguing in that. I will just state back what I have stated before.

Two, people buy pirated and second hand stuffs because of what reason? Money and affordability. Did I say that both of them are the same in any way? No. So please, read what I have posted.

Three, I support maintenance's remark because I think that, I could play with a 29" Bomba, why I need a HDTV at the moment when it's not necessary.

Sheesh, read back all my post if you want to. And why do you think that when I say 'you' in my previous post, it's related to you? It's a generalised 'you'. Just because I quoted you, you had to be so defensive and thought I am pointing the finger at you only.

And if I don't support original why the hell would I get a PS3? Why do I not get a modded 360 or even a modded Wii?

One more thing, whether I live in a black and white world or colourful world, it matters not. It's jsut my opinion. It does not change people's mindset.



This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 18 2007, 01:11 PM

Not lumping things together are we? Anyways, enough of this, normally it is the ori users against the pirate users, now we a re going at each other

This post has been edited by madmoz: Dec 18 2007, 01:17 PM

Bro, I know I said that. But in the end I said, it's just because of money and affordability that's all..

Argh. Hmm. Like you said, why argue against each other. Sorry then bro.

This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 18 2007, 01:19 PM

No offence taken, none meant either.

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Added on December 18, 2007, 1:21 pmBtw, there was a gaming convention in Mid Valley last weekend, they had GTA Vice Cities (not a GTA fan, not sure what's the full name) PSP US Version for sale among a bunch of other games all at RM90 each.

This post has been edited by madmoz: Dec 18 2007, 01:22 PM

muchi and madmoz, got get a room and make out

*dig hole and hide

Zomg, are you fricking serious? PSP games only or what? DS got?

I am gonna stab msyelf if got... FF I, II, III and Revenant Wings....

PSP only, and a whole bunch of computer games... nothing DS in sight.

Oh, ok then. Won't have to stab myself then...

What other things they did there anyway? Talk? Workshop? Anything?

i bet you also have bought a ciplak game

i dont think it matters now if you bought a ciplak or jack sparrow game...if you only buy original copies now....i think you payback to videogaming community one game at a time....

So? That was like how many years ago?

Judge me all you want. I will let my RM3800 PS3 set do the talking. I doubt someone who supports pirates got that big of a pair of balls to be so commited to such an expensive console so early and knowing it won't have pirated games.

If I support pirates, why do I fork out almost RM4000 for something that supports original only? Abit redundant don't you think?

And again, for people who do not know what are the purpose of my posts. Please oh please don't quote me.

Now everyone go back and play some games

dont worry muchi...if got pirated UT3 on the PS3...THEN WE ARE IN TROUBLE....but till then...happy gaming

Lol, need to wait till next week.. nooooo

you and i same boat.... ...have to wait for a while

Gang la like that

Opps OT again

Hi Muchi,

I kinda disagree with you a bit there...You see you mentioned that "they causes harm to the industry" and also "they are doing a great deal for the industry"

Now to me you are taking it a little bit out of proportion here....Most of the time, people sell their old/finished games to buy a new game....So say I sold my copy of UT3...then after I managed to get RM150 back...I top-up then go and buy a new game like Burnout Paradise...so the industry as a whole will get the money in the end plus another RM50 that I top-up.

But say for example, I have to wait for three month till the next time I can afford to buy a game again...The industry will not get a single cents of my money till the next three months. So here it provide some sort of liquidity in the industry. Instead of no being able to afford, to being afford to buy now when the games comes out.

So the industry as a whole benefited because of the extra liquidity in the games industry. Without them most of the people in the situation above will not be able to buy a game every month but only every 3 months.

Research has been done (can't remember EB Games or GameStop' did) that MOST of the time people sell their games to buy another games...but sometimes they do use it to go buy toys, buy DVD or even just save the money...but most of them use it to buy another game. So, the money goes back to the industry.

The real damage is actually to the developer of the game being sold as they lost another potential buyer...but here the damage can be reduced...like in the states, after a while the price of the games will be reduced..and this will enable the 'potential second hand buyer' to buy it first hand instead since the price have been reduced.

One thing that SONY (not sure about other companies tho) have done is the Greatest Hits series and The Best series...where most of these games retailed at USD20-USD30. and most of the people who can't afford them in the first place can buy them now.

Well the above is just my opinion...and to add a bit to my opinion to live in utopia where all can have the money to buy all their gamers first hand is a bit far fetched...so to have the liquidity/flexibility is most welcomed by both the games and the industry as a whole....the developer....???they need to figure out when to reduce the price so they can get the 'potential second hand buyer' before these people buy second hand games.

There are still people commenting about my post..

"to live in utopia where all can have the money to buy all their gamers first hand is a bit far fetched..." that did not even cross my mind.

I am just stating the effects of buying used games, whether people would want to listen to me or not it's up to them. People think I am just bullshiting, fine go ahead and buy used games. Not like I would take a gun and point at your head and say not to buy I already went through this with madmoz, I don't see the point for a Round Two.

Like I said alot of times before.My post matters not. It will not change the fact that people would keep buying used games.

Can everyone who plans to post here please put this to rest already...

I even have an article in hand regarding what causes harm to the industry not just used game and piracy but I don't see the point in posting it here. What for? Why debate and defend waht I think so much? I don't think even 95% of the people in this forum cares about this at all.

So, everyone please state your opinion in general. When I am quoted, it gives me a reason to counter post but the problem is, I am too lazy to counter post and defend my thoughts. So, give this a rest already it's gonna be Christmas already for Christ's sake

Please, stop quoting me....

This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 24 2007, 04:30 PM

Quote. Quote.

Whatchu gonna do about it?

Lol damn you zio!!!! Tonight Yus/Samurai hosting UT3!!! Go join!!!!!! Try WARFARE!!!!!

Muahahahaha...

Do laa marah marah...I'm also stating my opinion and at the same time just pointing out that my opinion is diff to yours....

It's not like I'm defending anything...and also not like I'm saying you are wrong...again it's just my opinion of the whole issue and also of your post. So nothig to get marah marah about laaa...



I also want to quote can?...but since my UT3 still haven't arrive (more like the money haven't arrive..hehehe...) so you can't really frag me yet...Muahahahahaha

Lol, it's ok bro. We PS3 gang ma. Sorry bout the earlier post and Christmas is tomorrow so must not fight2 Merry Christmas to you And hope you getting your UT3 soon. Warfare is TEH AWESOME!! You need to try that out

Muahahahahah

I'm getting it...but ust burned my 'moolah' for uncharted..so no money edy....

Lol noooooo. Do join us when you get it. You seriously need to play Warfare Save moneyyyyyyyyy lol

This post has been edited by Muchi: Dec 25 2007, 09:55 AM

even for someone who is earning american $ video games are a more expensive entertainment compared to movies, tv shows etc. my peers here dont buy as many games as the parrot-users in malaysia do. we save and buy every 1 or 2 months. when we are unlucky, we are forced to buy more than 2 games a month - especially during the holiday season - COD4 and Mass Effect, remember? crap

anyhoo, i only have 6 ori games so far, I'm planning to get more but it requires heavy justification. there is no impulse buying when buying games here - except for AC6 for me

For entertainment,and technology-wise, the prices for video games are considered relatively cheap by today standards, Original genesis games in the day were expensive, I remember Street Fighter commanding at least SGD 120.00.But thats nothing compared to Neo geo AES cartridges, either US/Japan, hahahah the huge ass cartridges were like SGD 700.00, and those were the cheap ones....the premium ones were like SGD 1500.00....you do the maths.....

that's when the video games distribution hasnt matured completely.. those catridges that you are talking about must be imports which are understandably expensive.

if u wanna compare, compare the retail price from the country of origin!!