do you know what the big game companies worry about the most and its not someone pirating the latest pc game because they know most people wouldnt have bought the game anyway, its the second-hand console game market, where they make no money on second-hand sales. and they lose millions in sales because people are buying the cheaper games.
vexxxboy: do you know what the big game companies worry about the most and its not someone pirating the latest pc game because they know most people wouldnt have bought the game anyway, its the second-hand console game market, where they make no money on second-hand sales. and they lose millions in sales because people are buying the cheaper games.
A very good point. I would not be surprised to see PSN start requiring you register games against your account ala steam. That would kill the swap a console game market overnight.
On a side note, I use steam alot these days to buy my games. I wait for their specials and save alot. Mass Effect 1 was only $5 US a while back. And I can install on both pc and laptop and backup to a portable hd.
Many games are simply too expensive. I've always thought the pricing controls on first hand console games were excessive - blame the console manufacturers for that one (although the pricing framework for DLC is different). There's a reason why a thriving second hand market exists. Even the budget/bargain bin re-releases are expensive, compared to the PC counterparts.
However, times appear to be changing and the traditional business model enjoyed by console makers and publishers is getting a major shake up by a certain fruit company - well, everyone's getting a shake up by that company.
Steam is proof that people will buy if the price is right (although pirating is largely negated due to it's DRM).
The App Store is proof that you don't need thick margins to make a profit and uber budgets to make a decent game (it's nice that the "little guy" get's as much shelf space as everyone else).
zaptor: Many games are simply too expensive. I've always thought the pricing controls on first hand console games were excessive - blame the console manufacturers for that one (although the pricing framework for DLC is different). There's a reason why a thriving second hand market exists. Even the budget/bargain bin re-releases are expensive, compared to the PC counterparts.
However, times appear to be changing and the traditional business model enjoyed by console makers and publishers is getting a major shake up by a certain fruit company - well, everyone's getting a shake up by that company.
Steam is proof that people will buy if the price is right (although pirating is largely negated due to it's DRM).
The App Store is proof that you don't need thick margins to make a profit and uber budgets to make a decent game (it's nice that the "little guy" get's as much shelf space as everyone else).
Off topic a little, when I got my ipod touch a friend jailbroke it for me, I found that I wasn't actually using any apps that needed the device to be jailbroken so I reverted it. I don't mind paying $5 for an app that I enjoy, they same as I don't mind paying $1.79 or $2.29 for a song I like.
If a game cost me $80 and I can't resell it when I am done I will not buy it, however if it cost $40-50 and I can't resell it then I will still buy it.
I wouldn't mind if the games are "locked" to a user as long as the price reflects that.
We've got a DS here gathering dust. I do like the DS, and most of the games we've purchased for it. But, I doubt I'll ever buy another DS game. Most of our mobile gaming is iOS nowadays. I don't know what the attach rate is for iOS, but I'm guessing it's just as good if not better than any other gaming device.
The great thing is the flow on effect it's having on the rest of the tech industry. The gaming industry being no exception.
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