Price Hike, $50+ For Games!

**bmolsson** · 10-12-2004, 02:11

Originally Posted by dessa14

mates in australia we pay $80 at least for a new release.
thanks,
dessa

But that is Aussie dollar and that is not more than 50 USD..... :p

**bmolsson** · 10-12-2004, 02:16

Actually, I would pay USD 200 for a game, as long as I always had a 30 day "return if not happy guarantee". 90% of all the games I buy, I never play more than 2 days, they are just so bad........ Too much crap out there.....

**Hetman_Koronny** · 10-15-2004, 09:19

Originally Posted by bmolsson

Actually, I would pay USD 200 for a game, as long as I always had a 30 day "return if not happy guarantee". 90% of all the games I buy, I never play more than 2 days, they are just so bad........ Too much crap out there.....

Some sites offer reliable reviews, you know? I cannot imagine buying a game that I later would find unattractive (after a few days). It is a 0% risk decision for me.

Anyway, onto the topic.
The development cost has increased madly over the last few years as the indurstry has been growing rapidly. New technologies, advanced and complicated solutions, large teams, extened developement time and huge marketing... Thanks to that we're speaking of $5M-20M budgets right now. What can you do?

The price hike is very likely to happen once the next gens (PS3, Xbox2) are introduced. Let's just hope the quality will continue to impress us most of the times.

**Sethik** · 10-27-2004, 20:10

This is one of the main reasons I download warez (don't kill me!) I can't afford the games that I want. Not to mention that I play a lot of games. A LOT of games. Since I only really play for single player I don't mind the loss of multiplay.

Originally Posted by Beirut

Just bought Rome:Total War for $59.99.

Doom 3 was $69.99. Next time.

Yeah, but that's Canadian dollars. So it should be like $14.56 USD

**Alrowan** · 10-28-2004, 13:51

Originally Posted by Sethik

This is one of the main reasons I download warez (don't kill me!) I can't afford the games that I want. Not to mention that I play a lot of games. A LOT of games. Since I only really play for single player I don't mind the loss of multiplay.

Yeah, but that's Canadian dollars. So it should be like $14.56 USD

Spend less time playing games and get a job so you can legally own them :p

**ICantSpellDawg** · 11-11-2004, 04:40

ive been pickin up my stuff for maximum 39 US bucks

**Efrem** · 11-21-2004, 05:04

I find 89$ has become the new cap in aus, as opposed to the 100$ that has been in place as long as I can remember.

**Thoros of Myr** · 10-27-2004, 20:27

Originally Posted by bmolsson

Actually, I would pay USD 200 for a game, as long as I always had a 30 day "return if not happy guarantee". 90% of all the games I buy, I never play more than 2 days, they are just so bad........ Too much crap out there.....

Agree. As for reviews they are generally useless for anything beyond weeding out the obvious stinkers. After 12 years of game playing only I can decide if I like a game or not, not a review.

**Armchair Athlete** · 10-28-2004, 09:41

Originally Posted by bmolsson

But that is Aussie dollar and that is not more than 50 USD..... :p

I think it is more actually. RTW was AU$90 when it came out, the exchange rate at the moment is about 74 Australian cents to the US dollar, which gives US$67.19. For AU$80, the U.S price equivalent is just under $60. We have no choice but to put up with this

**dessa14** · 10-28-2004, 10:07

now is the high time for american importing, just buy heaps of american stuff and postage is negligible, go australia if you have to buy american goods import them now, before the american dollar strengthens.
thanks,
dessa

**Armchair Athlete** · 10-28-2004, 10:53

You're right Dessa, man I should have just ordered RTW from the U.S for US$50 and pay the small amount for shipping costs, it would have been cheaper than buying it here. Next good game that comes out I think I'll do that!

**dessa14** · 10-28-2004, 11:00

but also buy a whole heap of other things as well, so the shipping costs are tiny.
thanks,
dessa

**Alrowan** · 10-28-2004, 13:50

the reason why US prices are actually going up is because of thier falling dollar. Take a look at the difference between countries where game prices are consistent (australia) and where they are rising (the US) then compare how each of the dollars have done in comparison

3 years ago 1AUD = .60USD
Now 1AUD = .75USD

3 years ago $80 AUD for a game/$40-$45USD
Today - $80 AUD for a game/$50 USD

just economics folks :p