Author Topic: Kaz Hirai Hints at PS3 games 59.99 + (Read 18198 times)

Kairon · « **Reply #25 on:** July 02, 2006, 04:32:58 PM »

... I'd pay $59.99 for a Nintendo game... but only a Nintendo-quality game...

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

KDR_11k · « **Reply #26 on:** July 03, 2006, 04:58:50 AM »

I seem to recall computer games being cheaper in the past, mostly because they were created by two guys in a garage rather than a multinational corporation. I got the TMHT arcade game for the C64 for 20 DM (~10$) back then, same for IO and Boulder Dash 2. Shareware would usually show costs of 10-30$.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #27 on:** July 03, 2006, 08:15:08 AM »

I think the price is high...but it is still only 10 dollars more per game. Which means, although it really sucks for pricing, it won't be another nail in the coffin. People will buy close to the same amount of games a year. (Maybe 1 or 2 less) however I do expect them to be more careful and researched about their purchases.

I am most worried about the peripheral costs this next generation. Xbox360 has $50.00 controllers that are just scary priced...but the Wii could be similarly priced. To me this worse news because to collect the controllers to play your favorite multi-player game will be $150.00 OUCH!!!

I am still holding out that the Wii controllers will only be $40.00 or less. Please Nintendo...don't charge too much.

As for everything else. I think the gaming market can never make it truly mainstream because of the costs of gaming. Who can buy all this stuff? The gaming market needs to find a means to get console games to a $20.00-$25.00 price range to really get mass market support. Think DVD prices and you will find more people willing to take the plunge. That is unless you charge $600.00 for your system.

Requiem · « **Reply #28 on:** July 03, 2006, 08:19:19 AM »

Spak - It's $60+

"+" !

That means it could get as high as a $100.

BluRay Discs aren't cheap and neither is developing for the PS3, so I wouldn't put it past developers to charge 65 or even 75 dollars for a game.

It's another nail in the coffin.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #29 on:** July 03, 2006, 12:49:42 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
I seem to recall computer games being cheaper in the past, mostly because they were created by two guys in a garage rather than a multinational corporation. I got the TMHT arcade game for the C64 for 20 DM (~10$) back then, same for IO and Boulder Dash 2. Shareware would usually show costs of 10-30$.

That is true too, but I believe games like Doom 2 were built by a relatively large team so that probaly explains the price. Heck I remember the game being on 4 or more disks.

Ceric · « **Reply #30 on:** July 03, 2006, 07:04:51 PM »

"Plus insert next disk and press any key" or "flip disk and press any key"

You know it's sort of sad but I think now people won't get the Press Any Key joke.

I'm getting old in my young age. Or remember the mighty 8-10 disk installs and Windows actually saving your information on the media so when you installed again it was under you name period. "No... First you have to Exit Windows to DOS before you turn the computer off"

There where cheap games mind you but, the ones that were developed by actual companies could be quiet expensive.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #31 on:** July 03, 2006, 08:04:06 PM »

Requim: Just because they are estimating the plus...doesn't mean it has to be there...and if it is...it doesn't mean you will be paying $70-$100 for a game.

I am not saying the prices aren't too high. I am just saying, the prices alone are not a nail in the coffin, yet. It is frustrating, yes. But we won't know how the public reacts until they can buy the system. There is alot of iffs that Sony is counting on...but if one of them comes true then they can still be number one.

1) If the prices doesn't matter. People will pay for preceived quality. If Sony can convince the world that the PS3 really is superior to everything else on the market, then the PS3 will sale. At first it will be status symbol for rich gamers, but that could help its sales as everyone wants to be the cool kid with the expensive toy. No matter what the price though, the PS3 is selling out on the first week, if not day one.

2)Blue-Ray becomes popular or the standard. If Sony wins the HD war in movies then Sony is set to have a wonderful PS3 system priced at a nice price point for the market. It won't be perfect mass market appeal, but those who love movies will buy it.

3)The status quo doesn't change. Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all have a perception from this generation. If the status quo doesn't change, then the PS3 will still be considered the system to know, just because of the PS2 success. Xbox will still be solid for multiplayer online play...and Nintendo 3rd again.

Any one of these situations could happen, in which price won't matter as long as it stays somewhat reasonable. And $65-70 is somewhat reasonsable when compared to the 360s $59.99 priced games.

Flames_of_chaos · « **Reply #32 on:** July 03, 2006, 10:39:03 PM »

"Any one of these situations could happen, in which price won't matter as long as it stays somewhat reasonable. And $65-70 is somewhat reasonsable when compared to the 360s $59.99 priced games."

How can you justify that just because a PS3 game may look more prettier than a X360 game it automatically is considered to be reasonable to compared to the 59.99 X360 game price? Or just the PS3 discs are just optical media with a higher capacity so they can automatically cost more than X360 games and still considered to be reasonably priced in a comparison?

The average joe wont give a shite and will probably buy the cheaper version.

Arbok · « **Reply #33 on:** July 03, 2006, 10:59:07 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Lord_die_seis
The average joe wont give a shite and will probably buy the cheaper version.

Look no further than the PS1 vs. N64 days to see this in action too. System wide differences in game prices can cause for a huge shift in the user base overtime.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #34 on:** July 04, 2006, 01:28:57 AM »

Let it drive up its price and announce 149$ for MASSIVE DAMAGE!

Features real-time fanboyism change!

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #35 on:** July 04, 2006, 07:27:25 AM »

All I am saying is if the system is embraced then people WILL buy the games. Look at how much money we spend just for designer clothing, shoes, going out to eat, and such.

Cheaper prices are nice, but if the public embraces a system the prices won't matter...and I think that is what Sony is betting on. Will the prices affect IF people embrace the product sure.

But that is Sony's marketing job to make sure it doesn't.

Pricing and what people are willing to pay isn't always logical...if it were people would never pay $100 for Nike shoes.

Sony may be able to do a few things with their games to really push the envelope. If they incorporate Surround sound in every game...and use the additional space to up resolution even greater than Xbox 360 then they will be in business. They could also include making of movies and behind the scenes movie for bonus features. Anything that makes people believe the game is worth more.

Personally, I would love a running commentary at certain points of a game, to see what designers were thinking during the game.

It is all in marketing and positioning.

Note: This isn't a support for Sony, or those prices...I am just trying to look at things with a realistic perspective.

Arbok · « **Reply #36 on:** July 04, 2006, 08:43:34 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Spak-Spang
All I am saying is if the system is embraced then people WILL buy the games. Look at how much money we spend just for designer clothing, shoes, going out to eat, and such.

Clothing, shoes and eating out are typically things that are done knowing that others will be judging you based on these choices and that they will be out for all to see; adding the "incentive" for consumers to spend more money believing it will increase their own status.

Video Games, DVDs and other forms of home entertainment are not. You don't go around showing off your game collection in public, unless it's a handheld (and I have never even seen someone do that, but I'm sure it's more possible). These items are bought less for raising status and more for their actual utility to the consumer (take a college marketing class to have this fact drilled in semester long...). Yes there will be early adopters who show off the system itself, although this is hardly a majority in society as they typically only account for 5% of the population. However, games will not fall into that same category.

Quote
Originally posted by: Spak-Spang
Cheaper prices are nice, but if the public embraces a system the prices won't matter...and I think that is what Sony is betting on.

The N64 seems to disagree.

Quote
Originally posted by: Spak-Spang
Note: This isn't a support for Sony, or those prices...I am just trying to look at things with a realistic perspective.

You are comparing two unrelated things. You would need to find a more expensive home media format that has succeeded to support your claim.

Flames_of_chaos · « **Reply #37 on:** July 04, 2006, 10:37:59 AM »

Well also compare and contrass the price of the N64 and the PS3 big difference.

Requiem · « **Reply #38 on:** July 04, 2006, 01:01:12 PM »

Spak-Spang

Though you may have a point, you are focusing on the wrong topic.

My point is: Pricing the games higher will lead to the system being less popular, period. It may not make a big difference (what you are debating), but it will make a difference.

It is another nail in the coffin because of that point alone.

MaryJane · « **Reply #39 on:** July 04, 2006, 02:13:40 PM »

I'm not sure a high priced game will hurt a system if it is worth it.

If Nintendo were to make an MMORPG with all of their characters, I wouldn't hesistate to slap down $100 for the game and $15 a month to play. I might complain about it, but I'd still buy it.

If Sony can make games that people feel are worth paying $60 or $70 dollars for, and still release the "generic" ones for $50 or $55 they may not have a problem. I may or may not buy a ps3, but that's going to depend on how well the system does. The only reason I bought a ps2 was for the RPG's I couldn't get on GC. If ps3 gets all the RPG's again, I'm going to buy one, and pay $70 to play an RPG also. I think everyone has a genre of games they'd pay more for. Or perhaps even things within the game. There's a lot of talk about how HD isn't very popular yet, and all that, but you know what? HD graphics will sell to people. They'll think oh sweet high def graphics, it's better than everything else, and not realize that to their standard t.v HD graphics don't mean a thing. These people are the sheep, and as you can see from the ps2 sony has good prarie dogs. A lot of casual gamers only buy a game a month or less so spending an extra 10 or 20 dollars for them wouldn't matter much I think. The initial cost that's a much bigger issue i think. But from speaking to people who plan on buying one, they seem to think the price is justified with how powerful the system is. A lot of money for a lot of power. It's unfortunate but that's how people seem to be looking at it. Only for computers and cars I'd say that formula holds true for, and not even in all cases.

Ceric · « **Reply #40 on:** July 04, 2006, 03:59:12 PM »

Yes, If Sony can get games that are like Movies you play then they'll command a higher price tag like the $60-$70 range. Even if they are short. Because that is percieved as spectacular. For us, core gamers, the price tag seems steep because we like to get a lot of different games. That seems like gouging to us. With the rise in cost and everything though Games are making less then they use to with just taking Inflation into account. We all know that over $100 dollars is a bad idea for games, ever. So heres the pickle the mental barrier of $100 is coming upon us quicker and quicker if companies want to make as much per unit as they use too. The Dollar is going to have to get stronger, or the Euro or whatever. We all know that ain't happening. So what are we going to do?

(This seem to loss coherency around half way through but I'll leave it.)

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #41 on:** July 04, 2006, 05:02:49 PM »

There is three ways to deal with rising prices of games.

1) Find a means to create cheaper games. Nintendo is going this route with the Wii and DS. They are trying to do everything they can to keep development costs down and create high quality games. This means is a short term answer...but one that is successful.

2)Enlarge the market of game buyers. This is very hard...with all the different rental programs out and so many games fighting for our money it is quite hard to increase the number of sales for each software credited. Nintendo is trying to do this by broadening the market...appealing to traditional gamers, but also reaching out to nongamers, and casual gamers. This market is untapped, but still has money to spend. This however, doesn't promise increased software sales units however. So you must find ways to make your games worth the purchase...which leads to...

3)Creating games with more quality and quantity of game. Several games are doing this by adding extra quests, remixed or harder versions of game, hidden characters, or other types of unlockables. The secret to this is not to use codes, but challenges to unlock the goodies...the balance is hard though, because you still want everyone to experience everything in the game. Another means to this quality and quantity I hinted at before. Create special behind the scenes footage, commentaries, anything that true fans of the game can watch and enjoy. These specials don't have to cost too much to produce, but will add alot of value to the experience. Just remember, don't go for cheesy and sparkling innovationy, provide real meat with the specials.

Basically, prices are going to rise...unless the market grows so much that millions of people are buying each and every game (like the movies) If that can happen, then prices can drop, because more people in the market are buying the product creating more cash flow.

Unfortunately, I don't see the market growing that much right now.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #42 on:** July 05, 2006, 07:15:47 AM »

It wouldn't kill me if prices rose a little bit. Currently games are much cheaper than they were when I was a kid playing cartridge systems. I don't even think this will be a huge strike against Sony unless charging much more than $60 becomes common practice, or unless Sony fails to reduce the prices during the system's lifetime (that always seems to happen, not just for "best seller" type titles, but for brand-new ones too).

Having said that, I'm VERY happy I'm not a Sony fanboy right now.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #43 on:** July 05, 2006, 09:15:41 AM »

Currently games are much cheaper than they were when I was a kid playing cartridge systems.

And that's good because as a kid I could only afford games from flea markets or bargain bins.

60 Euros is already enough. In fact it's already too damn much. At that price I see various games I'd like but I only buy a small number of them because 60 Euros is just too much.

Requiem · « **Reply #44 on:** July 05, 2006, 12:44:44 PM »

If prices continue to go up with each generation, videogames will become more of a niche than it is now.

Rising prices and more expensive tech is the perfect catalyst to help the videogame market collapse. This is already evident in Japan. And if all the next gen systems were as expensive as the PS3's, then it would collapse, period.

You guys don't think it's a nail in the coffin because of percieved quality, but you guys are thinking like gamers. If someone looking to get back into gaming or has never gamed before, the PS3 is not going to be a sale for them.

oohhboy · « **Reply #45 on:** July 05, 2006, 01:14:54 PM »

I am a gamer, but I am very price adverse. There has been very few games this generation that I have brought full price at 50USD.Two I can remember off hand were Resident evil 4 and Zelda. They were worth the 50 bucks, but other than that I troll the bargan bins endlessly.

Bargain hunting allows to play and try more games. The other day I brought Smugglers run for 20NZD (10USD). Would have never paid full price for it in my life, but it is a blast to play at 20 bucks.

If prices went up univerisally cross the board I would think twice before committing. At 60+ I would never buy anything.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #46 on:** July 05, 2006, 02:39:33 PM »

I am very price adverse as well. I think with my own money I can afford like 6 regular priced games a year. I try not to buy used games, but wait for sales. The problem is, too many people don't buy full priced games. We are renting more, or buying used, or just not buying. This makes games harder to make a profit.

I don't know what the answer is. Part of me thinks that if you actually lower the price you will get many more sales at full price...but then will it be enough additional sales to balance out the price drop? It depends if the market grows or not.

I really look at this issue from the perspective of pricing seasons of television. Remember when X-Files first came out it was like $100 for the series, and still today Star Trek seems to be that expensive. Not many people were willing to spend the money. But when the prices are down to like $35-$50.00 more and more people are willing to buy.

Obviously the expensive in creating television was already calculated in the commercials, but newer shows are gaining budgets beyond advertising dollars in anticipation of DVD set sales. So pricing is very important. I guess the point is the market for television series on DVD increased when the price came down. Could the same happen with video games? Potentially yes...but first you have to get a system in as many homes that have DVD players.

Sony, is taking the approach that people pay for quality. Their system seems to be a high quality high powered system...and as such they believe it is worth $600.00. If they can make that single sell...then they will have buyers for the games and movies...because after you have the system, you are going to have to support it.

If they can't make the intial sale then no matter what price the games are, it doesn't matter. So will the price of games affect the initial purchases of the PS3. I don't think so...and I don't think it will have a long term effect either...at least not on the hardcore gamers. Will the pricing bring new gamers in...hell no. But I don't think Sony cares to do that.

Requiem · « **Reply #47 on:** July 05, 2006, 03:37:58 PM »

I see your point, but it's not so black and white as you claim.

Quote
If they can make that single sell...then they will have buyers for the games and movies...because after you have the system, you are going to have to support it.

People don't buy a new system simply based on the specs of that system alone. They look at the media that is offered as well.

So if I am buying a PS3, I won't only look at the back of the box and then take it home. No. I would also look at the games and movies being released and further contemplate my decision.

If I saw that the games were $60+ and the BRD movies were expensive as well, I would think hard about what the hell I was getting into. I wouldn't just buy it while ignorant of the price of software, only to come back to the store to find out that I have to pay $60+ for a game.

But yes, you are right. If I do percieve that the PS3 is worth the purchase, media and all, then of course I would have to support it.

However, it is another nail in the coffin simply because people now have to factor in the price of games and movies, as well as the price of PS3 when making their decision. They are going to have to think hard about their "percieved quality." Especially since the 360 is cheaper and offers basically the same features, and also, the Wii is much cheaper and offers a totally new experience.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #48 on:** July 05, 2006, 06:33:35 PM »

I am sorry if I made it sound black and white. I know it isn't. I was simplifying the buying process in my statement...many people do look at every element of a purchase...they are the educated buyer. Too often there aren't educated buyers though.

And again. I hate this price point. With everything I have said, I hope you see I am actually in the camp of finding a means to actually lower prices for games...I believe it is the only way to achieve true market growth in this industry.

Though I am sure many will disagree with me...because to lower prices means to do things like Nintendo is doing now, create a less powered system that focuses on easy development instead of high end graphics and effects.

We will see what happens.

Personally, I want PS3 to fail. I am not convinced on Blue-Ray Disc for movies, and I don't want the market to support such an expensive hardware system...I don't want a precident set, because I couldn't afford gaming then.

I am fine with Microsoft owning the US market and Nintendo the Japanese markets. I believe both bring very different strengths in attracting different type of game development...while Sony doesn't really offer anything different, but very strong name recognition in the market.

Requiem · « **Reply #49 on:** July 05, 2006, 06:46:15 PM »

I agree.

The only way to achieve true market growth is to drop the price of admission to mass-market affordability. Nintendo is on the right track with creating a less-powered, but sufficient machine (making Wii very cheap), easing developement costs (thus allowing more developers into the market), and providing a way for small developement teams to release their product without a publisher (online market).

All of these are huge advantages that Sony has missed out on. And if we were to look at the DS/PSP situation, it would seem like Sony is headed down the wrong path (and possibly bankruptcy).

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Author Topic: Kaz Hirai Hints at PS3 games 59.99 + (Read 18198 times)