3rd world vs 1st world

Mach III

Mach III

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Why are the prices of games from a 3rd world country (us) so much more expensive than games from a 1st world country (USA)?

ie. LA Noire = 71$ for us and 28$ for Americans...

And then they wonder why there is such a problem with copied games!
 
Bunch of overpaid marketing types, that's why.

But also it's not necessarily 1st or third world that makes the difference. For example games in western Europe are often much more expensive even than ours.
 
It doesn't make sense to me though. Don't they realise that they would sell 10x as many games if they gave us the same prices?
 
Where have I heard this before? Ah yes, about the music industry, computer components, etc........ old story. It is called economics, I think.
 
It's not actually that much different in Europe.

A new release PC game here is still about 45 to 50 Euro in Ireland.
 
I think it's because there are so many more middlemen to get through before they come here, so the price just keeps bumping up until it arrives here.
Maybe? Haven't really researched the topic, I just accept it haha!
 
To encourage piracy so that they have reasons to make stupid advertisements to irritate people who buy the legit thing... A vicious cycle.
 
for those that say it's is almost same in Europe is missing 1 crucial matter.

there a game which maybe costs you 50 Pounds is nothing to them because you can make that in 1 day.

I was there and was working for minimum wages and so my tax was also on minimum.
could make 64 Pounds on an overtime shift.

here you must have a pretty high paying job to make that in 1 day as far as I can tell.
 
I find that very true for new games but there have been plenty of times a game that is a year old or so goes for cheaper then anything I've been offered in Europe or the States.
 
Mach III said:
Why are the prices of games from a 3rd world country (us) so much more expensive than games from a 1st world country (USA)?

ie. LA Noire = 71$ for us and 28$ for Americans...

And then they wonder why there is such a problem with copied games!
Click to expand...

1st world does not just equal the USA. Games in many 1st world countries are almost as expensive as here.
 
Is this for console or PC games? Our PC game prices are pretty much on par with the US. New game is $50-$60 = R350 - R420, while they retail for R399 here. (And bear in mind the US prices are quoted excluding tax, although thier GST < our VAT). If you're comparing prices from specials it hardly a valid comparison.

The purchasing power parity is a valid concern though.
 
PC games are actually cheaper here than in the UK, but console games are, except for the very rare exception, always cheaper there. And once they're no longer the latest games the prices tend to plummet. And that's with VAT at 20%.

What I think has happened is that the importers of PC games realise their product is easily copied, so they have little choice, but to at least try to sell at reasonable prices. Those that import and sell console games know they likely have you over a barrel, so they screw you as much as they can. Ultimately though blame must also go right back to the source - Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. Again they know they don't really have to offer lower prices, so they don't.

It isn't just the games. Something like a controller for the PS3 is nearly twice the price here as in the UK.
 
I hope all of you complaining about prices & what not understand how much time & effort it takes to build them. Also, all you piraters out there, think about how much you cost the gaming industry when you don't buy their games. This is the real world people. Nothing comes free. No one is screwing over anyone. They're trying to feed their kids & alcohol addictions just like everyone else.
 
gkisela said:
I hope all of you complaining about prices & what not understand how much time & effort it takes to build them. Also, all you piraters out there, think about how much you cost the gaming industry when you don't buy their games. This is the real world people. Nothing comes free. No one is screwing over anyone. They're trying to feed their kids & alcohol addictions just like everyone else.
Click to expand...

+1.

Ever since I got Steam I haven't pirated even 1 game.
 
Normally you would find the problem in the supply chain

Typical US Game path: Developer -> Publisher -> retail -> gamer
Typical SA Game path: Developer -> Publisher -> Regional Publisher -> Distributor -> Retail -> Gamer

Everyone want a piece of the pie, thats why I buy via Steam, it cuts the middle men out.
 
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