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Today I'ld like to ask the question:
Are videogames becoming too mainstream??
And is this a good thing or a bad thing? I've thought about it and there are many advantages and disadvantages. One of the main advantages is that its no longer seen as "Nerdy" to play videogames, also bigger and better games are now being made, as more money is now circulating in the game industry.
There is of course a bad side too, Barbie Race and Ride and the Spice girls videogame spring to mind! Not to mention the ton of really really poor Film to Videogame rip offs!
So whats your opinion?
Are videogames becoming too mainstream??
And is this a good thing or a bad thing? I've thought about it and there are many advantages and disadvantages. One of the main advantages is that its no longer seen as "Nerdy" to play videogames, also bigger and better games are now being made, as more money is now circulating in the game industry.
There is of course a bad side too, Barbie Race and Ride and the Spice girls videogame spring to mind! Not to mention the ton of really really poor Film to Videogame rip offs!
So whats your opinion?
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Pseudo Savant, you are very right. I completely agree, and have nothing to add, except Jimmy was right, it's a good thing it is not seen as nerdy or unsociable anymore
Part of the differences is certainly who they're marketed towards. Simply put, videogames haven't become mainstream. For one thing, especially in terms of console games, they're considered for kids. Otherwise you wouldn't hear people freaking out over Conker's BFD. Worse games than Conker's have been released on PC with no reaction whatsoever, because PC gaming is seen as a purely adult portion of the industry. Unfortunately, that's the public perception of it.
Truly, I think the reason why console games are higher in price is that there are far more console players out there than PC gamers. Sound strange? Let's look at it from this point of view: Adults worry about money and since PC gaming is seen as adult-oriented, it's in the publishers' best interests to keep the prices low. When it comes to consoles, and its perceived orientation towards children, they can market it for higher because they know that 1)kids want anything that's a toy and 2)that parents are suckers.
Besides, as I've stated before, why lower their prices if people are willing to pay the higher price for them anyway? There's no true incentive for publishers to lower their prices.
As for Shenmue: Don't get me wrong. I'm sure it cost a pretty penny, but 50 million isn't feasible for the development of a game, any game. First of all: There isn't a large enough number of Dreamcast owners to warrant paying that sort of money towards the development of something that, even if every DC were to purchase it, would still barely make a profit. Now, that doesn't include all the game's marketing, and I've seen Shenmue commercials quite often and during programs that garner decently high ratings and, thus, cost more for advertisement time.
It may've cost a lot, but 50 million?
Truly, I think the reason why console games are higher in price is that there are far more console players out there than PC gamers. Sound strange? Let's look at it from this point of view: Adults worry about money and since PC gaming is seen as adult-oriented, it's in the publishers' best interests to keep the prices low. When it comes to consoles, and its perceived orientation towards children, they can market it for higher because they know that 1)kids want anything that's a toy and 2)that parents are suckers.
Besides, as I've stated before, why lower their prices if people are willing to pay the higher price for them anyway? There's no true incentive for publishers to lower their prices.
As for Shenmue: Don't get me wrong. I'm sure it cost a pretty penny, but 50 million isn't feasible for the development of a game, any game. First of all: There isn't a large enough number of Dreamcast owners to warrant paying that sort of money towards the development of something that, even if every DC were to purchase it, would still barely make a profit. Now, that doesn't include all the game's marketing, and I've seen Shenmue commercials quite often and during programs that garner decently high ratings and, thus, cost more for advertisement time.
It may've cost a lot, but 50 million?
I dont know what the reason is, but for some reason retailers do seel PC games for less than console titles.
Maybe its because the console maunfacturers, be they Sega, Sony or Nintendo, put a minimum retail price on the games. This wouldnt surprise me because they do have alot of control over releases simply because they licence out to 3rd pary developers.
Maybe its because the console maunfacturers, be they Sega, Sony or Nintendo, put a minimum retail price on the games. This wouldnt surprise me because they do have alot of control over releases simply because they licence out to 3rd pary developers.
Thing is...
The RRP of PC games is the same as the RRP of console games... however I'll rarely consider spending more than 30 pounds on a new game.... either in-shop or Internet/Mail order...
Do PC games cost shop owners les than console titles...
Of is it a result of the benifit of the PC format carrying through years of price wars?
The RRP of PC games is the same as the RRP of console games... however I'll rarely consider spending more than 30 pounds on a new game.... either in-shop or Internet/Mail order...
Do PC games cost shop owners les than console titles...
Of is it a result of the benifit of the PC format carrying through years of price wars?
I agree with you 100% on that mate!
I dont think high street shops have overheads which justify the £10 price hike compared to online stores. Videogames take up very little shelf space, and people will pay £30 + for the latest games! Its just the high street shops ripping us off, online you get a much better deal especially when you dont even have to pay for postage online its an even better deal!
No, I don't think video games are becoming too main stream. It's going to take a lot longer for them to beocme compeltley commercialised
Probably not.
Im no programmer so i dont know how difficult/time consuming it is to convert between various platforms. But even if the game is a port Sege/Sony/Nintendo still want their cut, the packaging has to be completely redesigned (this shoudlnt happen now as most PC games come in a DVD style box, same as PS2).
To be honest i dont see why some console games are almost double the price of their PC counterparts, could it be that the console manufacturers are deliberately setting the price they want the games to sell at?
I go into dixons and i see DC games for 39.99, i log onto SR or Gameplay or any other online store and i see them for as little as 29.99. Why cant shops sell as low as online stores? I know people will tell me about the overheads of running a "proper" shop, but the two online stores ive just mentioned have "proper" shops as well. Whats going on there then?
Im no programmer so i dont know how difficult/time consuming it is to convert between various platforms. But even if the game is a port Sege/Sony/Nintendo still want their cut, the packaging has to be completely redesigned (this shoudlnt happen now as most PC games come in a DVD style box, same as PS2).
To be honest i dont see why some console games are almost double the price of their PC counterparts, could it be that the console manufacturers are deliberately setting the price they want the games to sell at?
I go into dixons and i see DC games for 39.99, i log onto SR or Gameplay or any other online store and i see them for as little as 29.99. Why cant shops sell as low as online stores? I know people will tell me about the overheads of running a "proper" shop, but the two online stores ive just mentioned have "proper" shops as well. Whats going on there then?
Your Honour wrote
After reading back through what i wrote its very applicable is it! I think what im trying to say is that you are paying for other things besides the actual CD that the game comes on, which is what psuedosavant said.
In reply:
Yes we are paying for more than a blank CD, but when a game is a cheap PC port thats been converted to Playstation2! Does the cost of the port justify the price difference between PC and playstation games???
After reading back through what i wrote its very applicable is it! I think what im trying to say is that you are paying for other things besides the actual CD that the game comes on, which is what psuedosavant said.
In reply:
Yes we are paying for more than a blank CD, but when a game is a cheap PC port thats been converted to Playstation2! Does the cost of the port justify the price difference between PC and playstation games???
Sorry about misquoting you mate, it was in your post so i assumed you said it, i just realised that you took it from jimmys post, sorry about that i was half asleep when i posted.
I'm pretty sure shenmue cost a stupid amount of money develop, i read Official Dreamcast Mag and the had an article on it in there, when i find it i will have a look and post the actual amount.
True Nintendo seem to be the only ones who sell their games for a ridiculus amount, but PS and DC games are still more expensive than games for the PC.
I'm pretty sure shenmue cost a stupid amount of money develop, i read Official Dreamcast Mag and the had an article on it in there, when i find it i will have a look and post the actual amount.
True Nintendo seem to be the only ones who sell their games for a ridiculus amount, but PS and DC games are still more expensive than games for the PC.
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