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Could be in the wrong forum, but since i never really use fog it'd feel wrong to go posting it in there.
Game prices.
Considering what i get out of the game, in terms of time spent enjoying myself, even at high street £40-45 prices a game still seems a better investment than most other recreational shopping. 2 or 3 dvds, you watch them all 3 or 4 times perhaps. 3 or 4 cds.. tough one to call perhaps. Couple of nights out - the games definitely come out on top, especially with a good multiplayer.
But still consumer groups insist on making a stance about it, how blatantly overpriced games are (Eg, the Fairplay Campaign). But what do most of us seem to do? In our loyalties to whatever brand we buy into, most of us seem to jump to the industry's defence with arguments like that i made above.
To quote Isaiah Berlin, "The triumph of despotism is to force the slaves to declare themselves free."
Yes, a bit of an exageration, but try looking at it this way:
Food. We need it to survive, so to each person it's worth a lot, all we can afford if it comes to it. However, it doesn't cost too much to produce and place in the supermarket. Because of the competition, we get a fairer price. And at far less than the food is actually worth to us as it balances between what people are willing to pay and what companies can get away with charging.
When it doesn't cost games developers particularly much though, provided everyone releases with similar prices, they can charge what they want. You only really get a choice at brand selection when you buy the console itself, when buying a game you're pretty restricted. So you either buy a game for £40 or you don't. No opting for a cheaper brand any more.
Unfortunately, that seems like it is about the size of it: You buy the game or you don't. And while a game is still, relatively speaking, a good way to spend £40, most of the time we still will.
But at least you don't have to let yourself be forced to declare yourself free.
Game prices.
Considering what i get out of the game, in terms of time spent enjoying myself, even at high street £40-45 prices a game still seems a better investment than most other recreational shopping. 2 or 3 dvds, you watch them all 3 or 4 times perhaps. 3 or 4 cds.. tough one to call perhaps. Couple of nights out - the games definitely come out on top, especially with a good multiplayer.
But still consumer groups insist on making a stance about it, how blatantly overpriced games are (Eg, the Fairplay Campaign). But what do most of us seem to do? In our loyalties to whatever brand we buy into, most of us seem to jump to the industry's defence with arguments like that i made above.
To quote Isaiah Berlin, "The triumph of despotism is to force the slaves to declare themselves free."
Yes, a bit of an exageration, but try looking at it this way:
Food. We need it to survive, so to each person it's worth a lot, all we can afford if it comes to it. However, it doesn't cost too much to produce and place in the supermarket. Because of the competition, we get a fairer price. And at far less than the food is actually worth to us as it balances between what people are willing to pay and what companies can get away with charging.
When it doesn't cost games developers particularly much though, provided everyone releases with similar prices, they can charge what they want. You only really get a choice at brand selection when you buy the console itself, when buying a game you're pretty restricted. So you either buy a game for £40 or you don't. No opting for a cheaper brand any more.
Unfortunately, that seems like it is about the size of it: You buy the game or you don't. And while a game is still, relatively speaking, a good way to spend £40, most of the time we still will.
But at least you don't have to let yourself be forced to declare yourself free.
Nice post but;
*Who says games are overpriced to start with ? I mean most people don't begrudge £16 (or more) for a DVD movie that'll last two hours. Games last longer and are interactive as well, and there's loads of effort goes into most games.
*Increased competition in food retailing has shut down many local food sellers, therefore it's reasonableto assume that any further price cutting on games would kill off yet more independent retailers and squeeze the profits of a retail sector that relies on three months a year for most of it's profits.
*At the end of the day we are free to choose, despite whatever quote you can dig up :) I'd quite like a Suzuki 4x4, however I've had to settle for a Fiesta ( lol ) because I can't afford anywhere near like the price for a 4x4 right now. Does this mean the Suzuki should be cheaper ? No, it measn I need to wait until I can afford it in the distant future when I've finished Uni.
The same logic works with games - they are not an essential, like food, but a luxury - they cost more than a lot of people's weekly spend on food. It is not essential that everyone can afford the newest game each week.
Practically though, Gamestation, Game and Another World all offer trade ins and second hand games at great prices, people can shop around on the net and between stores for cheaper prices, or try Ebay. The Fair Play campaign and this boycott of buying games for a week is pointless.
~~Belldandy~~
*Who says games are overpriced to start with ? I mean most people don't begrudge £16 (or more) for a DVD movie that'll last two hours. Games last longer and are interactive as well, and there's loads of effort goes into most games.
*Increased competition in food retailing has shut down many local food sellers, therefore it's reasonableto assume that any further price cutting on games would kill off yet more independent retailers and squeeze the profits of a retail sector that relies on three months a year for most of it's profits.
*At the end of the day we are free to choose, despite whatever quote you can dig up :) I'd quite like a Suzuki 4x4, however I've had to settle for a Fiesta ( lol ) because I can't afford anywhere near like the price for a 4x4 right now. Does this mean the Suzuki should be cheaper ? No, it measn I need to wait until I can afford it in the distant future when I've finished Uni.
The same logic works with games - they are not an essential, like food, but a luxury - they cost more than a lot of people's weekly spend on food. It is not essential that everyone can afford the newest game each week.
Practically though, Gamestation, Game and Another World all offer trade ins and second hand games at great prices, people can shop around on the net and between stores for cheaper prices, or try Ebay. The Fair Play campaign and this boycott of buying games for a week is pointless.
~~Belldandy~~
Could be in the wrong forum, but since i never really use fog it'd feel wrong to go posting it in there.
Game prices.
Considering what i get out of the game, in terms of time spent enjoying myself, even at high street £40-45 prices a game still seems a better investment than most other recreational shopping. 2 or 3 dvds, you watch them all 3 or 4 times perhaps. 3 or 4 cds.. tough one to call perhaps. Couple of nights out - the games definitely come out on top, especially with a good multiplayer.
But still consumer groups insist on making a stance about it, how blatantly overpriced games are (Eg, the Fairplay Campaign). But what do most of us seem to do? In our loyalties to whatever brand we buy into, most of us seem to jump to the industry's defence with arguments like that i made above.
To quote Isaiah Berlin, "The triumph of despotism is to force the slaves to declare themselves free."
Yes, a bit of an exageration, but try looking at it this way:
Food. We need it to survive, so to each person it's worth a lot, all we can afford if it comes to it. However, it doesn't cost too much to produce and place in the supermarket. Because of the competition, we get a fairer price. And at far less than the food is actually worth to us as it balances between what people are willing to pay and what companies can get away with charging.
When it doesn't cost games developers particularly much though, provided everyone releases with similar prices, they can charge what they want. You only really get a choice at brand selection when you buy the console itself, when buying a game you're pretty restricted. So you either buy a game for £40 or you don't. No opting for a cheaper brand any more.
Unfortunately, that seems like it is about the size of it: You buy the game or you don't. And while a game is still, relatively speaking, a good way to spend £40, most of the time we still will.
But at least you don't have to let yourself be forced to declare yourself free.
Game prices.
Considering what i get out of the game, in terms of time spent enjoying myself, even at high street £40-45 prices a game still seems a better investment than most other recreational shopping. 2 or 3 dvds, you watch them all 3 or 4 times perhaps. 3 or 4 cds.. tough one to call perhaps. Couple of nights out - the games definitely come out on top, especially with a good multiplayer.
But still consumer groups insist on making a stance about it, how blatantly overpriced games are (Eg, the Fairplay Campaign). But what do most of us seem to do? In our loyalties to whatever brand we buy into, most of us seem to jump to the industry's defence with arguments like that i made above.
To quote Isaiah Berlin, "The triumph of despotism is to force the slaves to declare themselves free."
Yes, a bit of an exageration, but try looking at it this way:
Food. We need it to survive, so to each person it's worth a lot, all we can afford if it comes to it. However, it doesn't cost too much to produce and place in the supermarket. Because of the competition, we get a fairer price. And at far less than the food is actually worth to us as it balances between what people are willing to pay and what companies can get away with charging.
When it doesn't cost games developers particularly much though, provided everyone releases with similar prices, they can charge what they want. You only really get a choice at brand selection when you buy the console itself, when buying a game you're pretty restricted. So you either buy a game for £40 or you don't. No opting for a cheaper brand any more.
Unfortunately, that seems like it is about the size of it: You buy the game or you don't. And while a game is still, relatively speaking, a good way to spend £40, most of the time we still will.
But at least you don't have to let yourself be forced to declare yourself free.