Has gaming gotten too expensive?

Does anyone else believe that gaming has gotten too pricey? We always hear of annoyances about how current gen games are 60 bucks and from what I've heard, even more in countries outside the U.S., but I sort of miss the days where I bought a console and my games and didn't have to worry about anything else. Sure, there was the occasional accessory, memory card or controller, but for the most part, it was reasonably affordable. Now we have all these online passes restricting us from buying the pre-owned version of games and barricading us from recieving our full gaming experience, DLC, online memberships, game exclusive memberships such as COD Elite, etc. It's very annoying. Plus, anyone who cannot access the internet is practically screwed over with almost every title released these days. Another annoyance is how publishers are completely disregarding future generations. Much of the content in many titles will not be available for them. I highly doubt young gamers are going to be able to access the Ceberus network for Mass Effect 2 or download maps for multiplayer titles in the year 2042. Are they devs hoping their games will lose all relevance by then? Heck, the Magnavox Oddyssey will still be sought after and it will be over 65 years old by then!

I just bought 15 games for 65 bucks. I thought that was pretty cheap :P.

GoW Saga
Thief Collectioin
Alan Wake
Alan Wake: AN
Galaxy on Fire 2
Crysis 2
Saints Row 3
Beyond Good and Evil
LA Noire

Look at Mini war gaming prices and then as it.

i don't really understand you americans complaining about the freaking prices, here the games can cost up to 80 bucks or more, so stop freaking complaining... 60 bucks is not much for a new game for you americans. You get games first and cheaper. Saying it is expensive just creams my corn

No I don't think it has. Actually gaming can be quite cheap considering how fast and how far prices can drop on most games. Many retailers have quite a few deals for many newly released games as well. Then you have online services such as Steam that have huge discounts on game regularly. Online passes only affect used games so really you're much better of just buying new anyway. DLC and the other stuff you mention is extra content. There's a plethora of games one can enjoy without having Internet so that's not really an issue.Archangel3371

It is insane how fast games drop. You can get PC games for 40 before they are even out (pre-order) and brand new ones on sales for 25 and less at times.

buying day one is expensive if everyone bought new....$65 is just way 2 expensive

Firstly US prices are cheaper than most of the rest of the world, and usually come out before anywhere else

Second - prices are high only for launch and maybe the first couple of weeks. You can almost always find a game discounted before release or some store doing a day 1 promotion to get your business.

Thirdly prices are dropping really fast for so many games it's just not funny. Unless I really want a new game the second it comes out I'm perfectly happy to wait 3-4 weeks and get it for half the launch price, or wait for weekends like this where Black Friday and Steam sales are offering games at big discounts.

Games are the cheapest they've ever been

Not sales games, games if you buy them on launch day are the cheapest they've ever been in history

If that's a problem pick another hobby

Firstly US prices are cheaper than most of the rest of the world, and usually come out before anywhere else

Second - prices are high only for launch and maybe the first couple of weeks. You can almost always find a game discounted before release or some store doing a day 1 promotion to get your business.

Thirdly prices are dropping really fast for so many games it's just not funny. Unless I really want a new game the second it comes out I'm perfectly happy to wait 3-4 weeks and get it for half the launch price, or wait for weekends like this where Black Friday and Steam sales are offering games at big discounts.

Avenger1324

NO! I was just at Toys R Us the other day and I was looking through all the different toys etc...And what I found was astonishing for example a simple lego set of some ship from Star Wars (not sure which ship looked like some kind of emperial shuttle) costed 90$! FOR LEGO! PLASTIC!!! And you should see how expensive all the other toys are its freaking ridiculous.

Video games are hella cheap in comparison and they probably offer you way more enjoyment!

i don't really understand you americans complaining about the freaking prices, here the games can cost up to 80 bucks or more, so stop freaking complaining... 60 bucks is not much for a new game for you americans. You get games first and cheaper. Saying it is expensive just creams my corn

The_Last_Ride

Where is "here"? I'm going to take a guess and say Australia based on those prices but I have no idea.

As to the op's question, no, games are not expensive. Echoing what has already been said, instant gratification is expensive. If you -have- to have every game on launch day then yes, you are going to pay a premium for it, but digital distribution (where a game can be distributed for virtually no cost to the publisher) and the used game industry for console games have both driven game prices down significantly. Pretty much any AAA title on Steam can be acquired for $10 if you wait for a sale, and even console games on Amazon get some pretty decent price breaks over time. Sleeping Dogs was a great game that came out only a few months ago and it's already running between $20-$30, down from the original $60. Even MMOs are rapidly moving towards F2P models over monthly fees.

The only time this hurts is when you have a game that has a heavy online component since the population of an online community peaks at launch and stays in a pretty steadly decline thereafter. In the case of a game like this you would typically want to get the game at launch (also so you don't fall behind your friends in online progression), but again that's your choice.

-Byshop

No it has not. Gaming has always been expensive (bit of a hyperbole, though...). ~15+ years ago, you could drop 45 USD on a game, which seems less expensive... until you account for inflation. Of course, prices back then varied more by region, so you might have a + 10 USD variation on average.

And really, compared to movies and television, gaming has great bang for your buck (unless you only put a couple hours into a game...). In some instances, gaming has a better cost:hour ratio than music or even books.

If one really thinks that gaming is becoming too expensive, then I'd recommend that they look at the PC, as well as Steam and GoG sales. If that does not convince them, then nothing will.

It's pretty much as expensive as you want it to be, you play tons of free games and cheap games nowadays. Or you can spend a fortune buying new games for $60. dkdk999

Even at 60 dollars games are the cheapest they've ever been

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"]

i don't really understand you americans complaining about the freaking prices, here the games can cost up to 80 bucks or more, so stop freaking complaining... 60 bucks is not much for a new game for you americans. You get games first and cheaper. Saying it is expensive just creams my corn

Byshop

Where is "here"? I'm going to take a guess and say Australia based on those prices but I have no idea.

As to the op's question, no, games are not expensive. Echoing what has already been said, instant gratification is expensive. If you -have- to have every game on launch day then yes, you are going to pay a premium for it, but digital distribution (where a game can be distributed for virtually no cost to the publisher) and the used game industry for console games have both driven game prices down significantly. Pretty much any AAA title on Steam can be acquired for $10 if you wait for a sale, and even console games on Amazon get some pretty decent price breaks over time. Sleeping Dogs was a great game that came out only a few months ago and it's already running between $20-$30, down from the original $60. Even MMOs are rapidly moving towards F2P models over monthly fees.

The only time this hurts is when you have a game that has a heavy online component since the population of an online community peaks at launch and stays in a pretty steadly decline thereafter. In the case of a game like this you would typically want to get the game at launch (also so you don't fall behind your friends in online progression), but again that's your choice.

-Byshop

nope, not Australia, EuropeThe_Last_Ride

Where are you using dollars? Or are you giving the prices in equivilent USD?

-Byshop

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"]nope, not Australia, EuropeByshop

Where are you using dollars? Or are you giving the prices in equivilent USD?

-Byshop

I spend less on software than I ever have. With so many competitors for digital distribution on PC, it is very rare that I even spend over $30 for a new game. I just bought Dishonored for $22 2 days ago and that has barely be out for a month. BPoole96

Yeah, and it's not just crappy games that drop in price quickly either. Dishonoured was awesome.

-Byshop

Most hobbies can be pretty expensive.

And gaming isn't too expensive for me because I tend to wait for a price drop. There's no need for me to go out and drop $60 for a new game right away.

I feel that most games offer a fair price for the content they hold over other electronics. It truly depends on what you want from the experience. For example, I'll use Black Ops 2.

For someone like me, Black Ops 2 completely justifies the price. I get hours with zombies, decent fun with the multiplayer, and multiple playthroughs for the campaign. For single player gamers, that $60 price tag might not be justified since the campaign is short. However, the game does offer hours upon hours of available content, so it feels justified to me. Most other games are the same way. A lot of games dedicated to single player experiences feature hours upon hours of exploration and content. Games such as Just Cause 2, Red Dead Redemption, Skyrim, and even hack and slash adventures like Devil May Cry or Bayonetta have lengthy campaigns with tons of unlockables.

Of course there are exceptions and it all completely depends on what you want to do, but comparatively speaking I feel games definitely justify the price. CDs are usually 10+ and traditionally offer anywhere from 30 to 80 minutes of content. Movies (at the theater) or no less than 10 these days, average is 15 in the States, and last 90 to 120 minutes on average. Games cost 60 and a lot offer 100+ hours of content.

That and there are less hidden fees to me. Say what you will about online passes and DLC but at least gaming is blunt about it. I went to get an iPhone and Verizon and I have a 22% discount through work, and the damn bill would be $90 bucks a month. There's a $40 fee that exists just because you own a smartphone. You pay for the minutes, data, and text as a separate entity, then there's just this random $40 tacked on. At least gaming doesn't really have crap like that... (unless there are some anti Xbox Live)

Here in Europe games have actually gotten a lot cheaper, and they also drop in price much more quickly.

I feel games are already over priced. They have the same budget as block buster movies, sometimes even less, and yet they cost $60. That makes no sense to me, they should cost the same as movies, $20-$40.

I feel games are already over priced. They have the same budget as block buster movies, sometimes even less, and yet they cost $60. That makes no sense to me, they should cost the same as movies, $20-$40.

ShadowMoses900

I feel games are already over priced. They have the same budget as block buster movies, sometimes even less, and yet they cost $60. That makes no sense to me, they should cost the same as movies, $20-$40.

ShadowMoses900

By what logic should games cost the same as movies? You do realize that a succesful movie has already made hundreds of millions of dollars in theaters before the Bluray or DVD version hits the shelves, right? Most all of the money made from video games comes from unit sales.

-Byshop

I looked up all the games I've bought this year on Amazon and it averages out to about $25 / game. That's perfectly reasonable as far as I'm concerned.

I'm glad I don't have to pay 50 bucks per memorycard anymore just to save my game.

And if you look at pc gaming Steam has made gaming very affordable if you can wait for the deals.

i don't really understand you americans complaining about the freaking prices, here the games can cost up to 80 bucks or more, so stop freaking complaining... 60 bucks is not much for a new game for you americans. You get games first and cheaper. Saying it is expensive just creams my corn

The_Last_Ride

This. A thousand times this.

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"]

i don't really understand you americans complaining about the freaking prices, here the games can cost up to 80 bucks or more, so stop freaking complaining... 60 bucks is not much for a new game for you americans. You get games first and cheaper. Saying it is expensive just creams my corn

MadVybz

This. A thousand times this.

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"]

i don't really understand you americans complaining about the freaking prices, here the games can cost up to 80 bucks or more, so stop freaking complaining... 60 bucks is not much for a new game for you americans. You get games first and cheaper. Saying it is expensive just creams my corn

The_Last_Ride

This. A thousand times this.

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"][QUOTE="MadVybz"]

This. A thousand times this.

TrainerCeleste

It depends. You can always get games at cool prices.

[QUOTE="TrainerCeleste"][QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"] thank you for understanding :)The_Last_Ride

To add to all this nonsense, where I live, there are very few stores that sell games, so prices rarely drop for most games. Super Street Fighter 4 (a game that came out in 2010) is still being sold for $80. It's ludicrous.

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"][QUOTE="TrainerCeleste"] I don't even want to know what your special editions are like then :lol: What about buying old used games? Anyway to get bargains that way? :PMadVybz

To add to all this nonsense, where I live, there are very few stores that sell games, so prices rarely drop for most games. Super Street Fighter 4 (a game that came out in 2010) is still being sold for $80. It's ludicrous.

Or it's $20 USD on Steam so... do you not have access to Steam where you live? What about Amazon? $40 USD on there. Can you not use either of these services?

-Byshop

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"] cheapest game i have ever seen abd bought has been 20 bucks. Limited or Special Editions depends on the game but usually cost over 100 bucksByshop

To add to all this nonsense, where I live, there are very few stores that sell games, so prices rarely drop for most games. Super Street Fighter 4 (a game that came out in 2010) is still being sold for $80. It's ludicrous.

Or it's $20 USD on Steam so... do you not have access to Steam where you live? What about Amazon? $40 USD on there. Can you not use either of these services?

-Byshop

I don't use steam because I'm not a PC gamer. Amazon was a viable option until government taxes on imported goods shot up by 25%, so it wouldn't make much of a difference from buying local.

I don't use steam because I'm not a PC gamer. Amazon was a viable option until government taxes on imported goods shot up by 25%, so it wouldn't make much of a difference from buying local.

MadVybz

Well, the console versions are less than $20 USD on Amazon right now. Even at 100% tax rate that would still only put it up to $40 USD which is the average price the rest of the world pays for it before taxes.

-Byshop

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

I don't use steam because I'm not a PC gamer. Amazon was a viable option until government taxes on imported goods shot up by 25%, so it wouldn't make much of a difference from buying local.

Byshop

Well, the console versions are less than $20 USD on Amazon right now. Even at 100% tax rate that would still only put it up to $40 USD which is the average price the rest of the world pays for it before taxes.

-Byshop

Well yeah, given if I wait for price drops. But by then I'll either lose interest or forget about a game I had my eye on. It's a bad habit of mine to be honest. :p It's why I've been more keen on tracking games here on GS.

Well yeah, given if I wait for price drops. But by then I'll either lose interest or forget about a game I had my eye on. It's a bad habit of mine to be honest. :p It's why I've been more keen on tracking games here on GS.

MadVybz

Well that's pretty much been the consensus of the thread. If you absolutely have to have every game at launch then you're going to pay out the nose for it. Granted, some countries will pay more than others due to taxes, import/export fees, etc but the gist of it is if you can wait a bit then the prices on gaming are actually pretty reasonable.

-Byshop

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

Well yeah, given if I wait for price drops. But by then I'll either lose interest or forget about a game I had my eye on. It's a bad habit of mine to be honest. :p It's why I've been more keen on tracking games here on GS.

Byshop

Well that's pretty much been the consensus of the thread. If you absolutely have to have every game at launch then you're going to pay out the nose for it. Granted, some countries will pay more than others due to taxes, import/export fees, etc but the gist of it is if you can wait a bit then the prices on gaming are actually pretty reasonable.

-Byshop

Provided only if you have access to services that give you cheaper options. By and large, local prices are ridiculous where I live and price drops are a rarity. To hear someone in the U.S. complain about paying $60 or less for a game at their local stores just doesn't make any sense to me.

Provided only if you have access to services that give you cheaper options. By and large, local prices are ridiculous where I live and price drops are a rarity. To hear someone in the U.S. complain about paying $60 or less for a game at their local stores just doesn't make any sense to me.

MadVybz

Between all of the various online distributors that's a pretty wide net so I think in most parts of the world you have options. If you can't get good prices locally, then you just have to go online.

-Byshop