Game prices - PC vs Console

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justplain

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ok, this may have been asked before, but why are game titles released for PC, PS3 and XBOX 360 usually more expensive on the PS3/XBOX when compared to the PC versions price?
BattleField 3 PC version is easily a R100 or more cheaper that the PS3/XBOX version.
why is that?
 
I have always understood that sony and microsoft sell the x-box and playstation 3 at a loss and make that up with game sales.

Quoted From Article "It is normal for game companies to take a loss on hardware whenever a new console launches, since they typically focus on acquiring market share rather than generating a profit during the first year. During the second year and afterward, they can recover the losses with the savings that come from mass production and with licensing fees from publishers."

Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loss_leader
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6128295/report-ps3-to-sell-for-399-cost-494-to-make
 
I am also under the impression it is due to Royalties.

Either way, it saves me the trouble to upgrade everytime I want to play a game on PC.

After a while console game prices do come down to more "normal" levels.
 
System (Hardware) requirements for new games changes constantly so the save on game prices.

Just my 2cents ;)
 
arcanum7 said:
I am also under the impression it is due to Royalties.

Either way, it saves me the trouble to upgrade everytime I want to play a game on PC.

After a while console game prices do come down to more "normal" levels.
Click to expand...

Why on earth would you need to upgrade every time you try a new game? More like every 2 or 3 years.
FYI Consoles also become redundant hence PS3. PS3s are already struggling with heavy duty games like BF3.
Put a PS3 next to a PC playing battlefield 3 -the PS3 is a joke in terms of GFX.
 
Ry4n said:
Why on earth would you need to upgrade every time you try a new game? More like every 2 or 3 years.
FYI Consoles also become redundant hence PS3. PS3s are already struggling with heavy duty games like BF3.
Put a PS3 next to a PC playing battlefield 3 -the PS3 is a joke in terms of GFX.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I don't know why people in here still bother with game consoles. For the same amount one has to spend on a technically outdated PS3, I can build a Htpc with almost 5x the computing and memory power! Not to mention the cheaper software/games and the use of my preferred OS.
 
SoWhat said:
Honestly, I don't know why people in here still bother with game consoles. For the same amount one has to spend on a technically outdated PS3, I can build a Htpc with almost 5x the computing and memory power! Not to mention the cheaper software/games and the use of my preferred OS.
Click to expand...
Im with you I dont understand what a console can do that a PC cannot - please can someone explain to me what the incentive is on getting a console over a PC?
The only thing I can think of is only if you dont know how to use a PC can anyone add...
 
SoWhat said:
Honestly, I don't know why people in here still bother with game consoles. For the same amount one has to spend on a technically outdated PS3, I can build a Htpc with almost 5x the computing and memory power! Not to mention the cheaper software/games and the use of my preferred OS.
Click to expand...

Because I prefer playing games on my 42" using a wireless remote wire relaxing in my recliner with my surround sound pumping. Eazy Peazy :)
 
mouks said:
Because I prefer playing games on my 42" using a wireless remote wire relaxing in my recliner with my surround sound pumping. Eazy Peazy :)
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I do on PC.. with a wireless 360 controller. And a wireless mouse/keyb for BF3 on Ultra.. it looks wow.
 
mouks said:
Because I prefer playing games on my 42" using a wireless remote wire relaxing in my recliner with my surround sound pumping. Eazy Peazy :)
Click to expand...
Do the same with my wireless xbox 360 controller & PC. I have a small case not much bigger than the xbox 360. People who visit assume i'm playing console. But when i whip out my wireless keyboard and mouse for FPS they turn green with envy.

O wait let me just ALT TAB and do some internet banking real quick... oh a skype call just came in.
Is that a torrent running in the background... eish this is one awesome console, oh wait :D

Oh btw I just paid $10 on steam for the same game you paid R600 for on console, u suck! :D
 
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hey guys i'm just wondering why they didn't make a mouse that can connect to consoles so that we can play FPS. surely it sounds like a good idea
 
justplain said:
ok, this may have been asked before, but why are game titles released for PC, PS3 and XBOX 360 usually more expensive on the PS3/XBOX when compared to the PC versions price?
BattleField 3 PC version is easily a R100 or more cheaper that the PS3/XBOX version.
why is that?
Click to expand...

because if they make the PC ones to expensive we will just pirate em :)

Actually I have a feeling it has to do with the numbers, my guess is that PC ship more volume hence the cheaper distribution costs that gets carried over to the consumer. If more people by console games the price would probably go down, also if console users stop trading in second hand games and buy new ones instead, it might help.
 
Elimentals said:
because if they make the PC ones to expensive we will just pirate em :)

Actually I have a feeling it has to do with the numbers, my guess is that PC ship more volume hence the cheaper distribution costs that gets carried over to the consumer. If more people by console games the price would probably go down, also if console users stop trading in second hand games and buy new ones instead, it might help.
Click to expand...

no PC ships less. check the sales figures for most games.

Its about royalties. A game maker is paying the console maker for the right to distribute the game on their platform. The platform also has to provide support etc in terms of the game running on the hardware etc
 
MightyMuffinMan said:
no PC ships less. check the sales figures for most games.

Its about royalties. A game maker is paying the console maker for the right to distribute the game on their platform. The platform also has to provide support etc in terms of the game running on the hardware etc
Click to expand...

Hmmmm ok then they should pirate more.

http://paulgalenetwork.com/home/2010/12/29/platform-breakdown-of-the-most-pirated-games-of-2010/

Numbers Pirated

PC
1) Call of Duty: Black Ops (4,270,000) (Nov. 2010)
2) Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (3,960,000) (Mar. 2010)
3) Mafia 2 (3,550,000) (Aug. 2010)
4) Mass Effect 2 (3,240,000) (Jan. 2010)
5) Starcraft II (3,120,000) (Jul. 2010)

Wii
1) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (1,470,000) (May. 2010)
2) Wii Party (1,220,000) (Oct. 2010)
3) Donkey Kong Country Returns (920,000) (Nov. 2010)
4) Kirbys Epic Yarn (880,000) (Oct. 2010)
5) Red Steel 2 (850,000) (Mar. 2010)

Xbox 360
1) Dante’s Inferno (1,280,000) (Feb. 2010)
2) Alan Wake (1,140,000) (May. 2010)
3) Red Dead Redemption (1.060,000) (May. 2010)
4) Halo Reach (990,000) (Sept. 2010)
5) Call of Duty: Black Ops (930,000) (Nov. 2010)
Click to expand...

Wish I could get a proper breakdown of games sold :(
 
MightyMuffinMan said:
no PC ships less. check the sales figures for most games.

Its about royalties. A game maker is paying the console maker for the right to distribute the game on their platform. The platform also has to provide support etc in terms of the game running on the hardware etc
Click to expand...

Agreed and console makers sony and microsoft lose money selling the console so game makers make it up by paying royalties, this gets tacked on the price of the game.
 
Ry4n said:
Im with you I dont understand what a console can do that a PC cannot - please can someone explain to me what the incentive is on getting a console over a PC?
The only thing I can think of is only if you dont know how to use a PC can anyone add...
Click to expand...

Nothing, a PC will always be superior to a console. Thing is, it costs you about R8k to upgrade your PC to be around the high-end mark. 2 years later, it's outdated. Sure you can still run the games, but they'll be choppy etc and so you'll ultimately have to do what is done on consoles when the machine cannot handle, lower the quality/detail to levels it CAN handle. To get the same with a console, you pay R4k max and it lasts you 5 years since titles are made for it long after the newer generation is released (PS2 & PS3 example).
 
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