Topic: Episode 263: All My Rowdy Friends

[Ceric]

The thing about Tier pricing is that most developers believe they are making a Top Tier Game.  Sort of like most Parents believe that there child can do great things.

[lolmonade]

The thing about Tier pricing is that most developers believe they are making a Top Tier Game.  Sort of like most Parents believe that there child can do great things.

Beyond that, I think most people probably think a game isn't a quality game if released below the typical full retail price.
 
That's why I tend to think a gradual reduction in pricing over time is more economical than tiered pricing.  Early adopters will get their top shelf game earlier than anyone, then as demand slows to a trickle, then the price can be gradually depreciated over time.

[Ceric]

The thing about Tier pricing is that most developers believe they are making a Top Tier Game.  Sort of like most Parents believe that there child can do great things.

Beyond that, I think most people probably think a game isn't a quality game if released below the typical full retail price.
 
That's why I tend to think a gradual reduction in pricing over time is more economical than tiered pricing.  Early adopters will get their top shelf game earlier than anyone, then as demand slows to a trickle, then the price can be gradually depreciated over time.

I don't think the Price drop should wait till the trickle level.  Need to find that good spot where the sells are slowing and need a shot in the arm.

[lolmonade]

The thing about Tier pricing is that most developers believe they are making a Top Tier Game.  Sort of like most Parents believe that there child can do great things.

Beyond that, I think most people probably think a game isn't a quality game if released below the typical full retail price.
 
That's why I tend to think a gradual reduction in pricing over time is more economical than tiered pricing.  Early adopters will get their top shelf game earlier than anyone, then as demand slows to a trickle, then the price can be gradually depreciated over time.

I don't think the Price drop should wait till the trickle level.  Need to find that good spot where the sells are slowing and need a shot in the arm.

Splitting hairs when we're basically on the same page.  I just mean as demand diminishes.

[Ceric]

The thing about Tier pricing is that most developers believe they are making a Top Tier Game.  Sort of like most Parents believe that there child can do great things.

Beyond that, I think most people probably think a game isn't a quality game if released below the typical full retail price.
 
That's why I tend to think a gradual reduction in pricing over time is more economical than tiered pricing.  Early adopters will get their top shelf game earlier than anyone, then as demand slows to a trickle, then the price can be gradually depreciated over time.

I don't think the Price drop should wait till the trickle level.  Need to find that good spot where the sells are slowing and need a shot in the arm.

Splitting hairs when we're basically on the same page.  I just mean as demand diminishes.

Correct.

[Chocobo_Rider]

Here are my thoughts on this fabulous episode...

1. It makes me sad that Activision (?) didn't take their time with a follow-up to the solid Shattered Dimensions and made Edge of Time an "expansion pack" type of experience.  Spider-Man games should have limitless fun potential.  Yet, I can only think of 3 or 4 really good games out of the dozens that have been made =\

2. I don't listen to too much VG music.  But the MegaMan 2 soundtrack is truly some of the best of all time.  I listen to "The Megas" a lot.  They are fantastic.  I was quite obsessed with them around December.

When I do listen to VG music I am usually doing exactly was was discussed in the podcast. I do it while doing other things.  ... boring things.

3. More good discussion on the handheld/phone debate.  Someday the market for all things digital will settle in to a sensible business model.

4. I'm a fan of the idea of 3DS nub support bubbling up from necessity instead of the other way around.
Also, DKCR needed CC support.  I have NO idea why it didn't.

5. Those anti-MarioKart advertisements were done so poorly.  You'd have to be a real ass for those ads to appeal to you.  At the end of the day, I wouldn't recommend anyone poke the bee's nest that is challenging Nintendo's quality.

5. When was an Epic Mickey HD port confirmed? I can't find any confirmation of that online.  That would be such a shame.
Also, I think Epic Mickey got "mixed" reviews at worst, right? Not "bad."

6. Of all the decisions SEGA has made, Sonic Generations is by far the worst.  They got things right with Sonic Colors, and then they went right back to foolishly listening too closely to the vocal minority of Sonic "fans" that can't be pleased.  In my opinion, SEGA has never stopped having ideas for great games, they have just somehow lost the ability to successfully manage the those ideas.  Most of the time the quality comes through, but sometimes more than others.

7. That Nathan guy has a pretty smart response to piracy.  It is true that even if one pirate donates $1 it is more money than would have been made otherwise.

[Ceric]

...
When I do listen to VG music I am usually doing exactly was was discussed in the podcast. I do it while doing other things.  ...terrible boring things.
...

On Epic Mickey I never follow completed the game I was 75% through I say.  The biggest flaw of that game and one of the reasons I didn't finish it was the concept and everything was a one-time through type of thing but, you have to have multiple play through to get everything.  They should have limit the scope a bit.

[KDR_11k]

So it was the 20th: Sequence is now available on Steam.

[leahsdad]

On the point of pricing, I think people would be a lot happier if Nintendo (and Sony and Microsoft) would adopt a tiered pricing scheme on their retail games.$50-$60 for top tier, $40-$30 for mid tier, and $20 for the budget retail game. 

I think for Sony and Microsoft and 3rd party publishers, this tiered model you're describing is already in place and in full effect, at least defacto.  When games are first released, they' all in the $50 to $60 top tier.  It's just poor initial sales which start to drive games to the lower tiers that you're describing.  I mean, I just picked up Portal 2 for like $20.  New.  6 months after release. 

Hate or love Nintendo's pricing scheme (maybe pricing fortitude?), it does work.  I know this sounds horrible, but this holiday season I will most definitely be picking up Skyward Sword, 3D Land, and Mario 3D Kart on their respective launch days, and that's because I've been trained as a consumer to know that Nintendo will never, ever lower the price on those games, and the chances of getting those games for a price anywhere lower than its MSRP is almost nil.  So I might as well get those as soon as they come out, because I'm going to want them anyway.  But that also means that games like Shinobi, Cave Story, Nano Assualt, and Bit Trip Saga are going to stay on my Amazon wishlist, because I know those suckers will go on sale at some point, maybe soon.   End result:  Nintendo gets my money.  I know I'm playing right into their hands, but still, from a financial standpoint, it's also the most cost-effective for me.