EA: PS3 and 360 games could get cheaper this year

[Zeus]

According to a developer from EA, the prices of video games may actually DROP this year. Apparently, development costs will try to be covered with DLC instead of hiking up the price as was the case previously.

<blockquote>
However, according to DeLong, prices of video games may drop in 2010 with more publishers relying on DLC to supplement development costs. This may be a brilliant idea as it certainly would help spur sales with the state of the economy. Its surprising this suggestion is coming from a publisher considering Bobby Kotick’s comments about raising the prices of video games.</blockquote>

News Source: <a href="http://gamer.blorge.com/2010/01/02/ea-ps3-and-xbox-360-games-could-get-cheaper-in-2010/" target="_blank">Blorge</a>

[tech3475]

I hope this doesn't lead to ridiculous stuff like charging for multiplayer (although RES5 has) and for a single weapon.

This is what I hate the most about DLC, its not the map packs its charging for the most ridiculous stuff, TOV for example charges money for cheats!

[ThreeDog]

A game will only be *cheaper* if the retail price is lowered and the DLC is created after release.
Removing or redirecting content from the final product and selling it to make up the difference isn't a discount.

As for Resident Evil 5, I've not bought the multiplayer mode out of principal i still believe it was ready to go before the game went gold.
Fallout 3 on the other hand i bought all the content simply because Bethesda gave us so much on the disc and most of the content they offered spanned a few hours or more.

[put4558350]

well .. yes.

on tools - cryengine 3 have write one run on every system. it's help reduce cost.

on code - they have libary file left form other game. it's also help reduce cost.

[DanASBO]

A game will only be *cheaper* if the retail price is lowered and the DLC is created after release.
Removing or redirecting content from the final product and selling it to make up the difference isn't a discount.

As for Resident Evil 5, I've not bought the multiplayer mode out of principal i still believe it was ready to go before the game went gold.
Fallout 3 on the other hand i bought all the content simply because Bethesda gave us so much on the disc and most of the content they offered spanned a few hours or more.

I'm starting to hate DLC with a passion. Especially when it comes to EA. Godfather in particular was annoying, getting to a weapon upgrade spot just for it to ask for MS points. Dragon Age's DLC is my most recent annoyance. Fair enough if the content is released 6 months down the line but DLC available at launch is plain extortion. It's more cancerous than the Wii, which will see us all flailing next year.

[Trashcat]

1. Shave 10$ off retail price
2. Remove content from game
3. Offer 100$ worth of DLC made with content you removed from the game
4. ???
5. Profit

[iLLNESS]

you'd think EA's ingame advertising would have covered development costs already. heh

[grapeape]

A game will only be *cheaper* if the retail price is lowered and the DLC is created after release.
Removing or redirecting content from the final product and selling it to make up the difference isn't a discount.

As for Resident Evil 5, I've not bought the multiplayer mode out of principal i still believe it was ready to go before the game went gold.
Fallout 3 on the other hand i bought all the content simply because Bethesda gave us so much on the disc and most of the content they offered spanned a few hours or more.

Same here...give me my money's worth at the start and im likely so spend an equal amount on any dlc they make avaialble. Picked up everything for Fallout 3 and Fable 2, will likely do the same with Dragon Age as well. BTW Dragon Age so far is a-freakin-mazing...love it! its like the best of oblivion meets diablo meets final fantasy...truly epic. BTW I finally bought my first PC game in 4 years...Torchlight...wh00t its awesome too...its on sale for the holidays and has pretty low system requirements...highly recommend it, its by some some ex blizzard folks along with some from Mythic and Fate really cool stuff and cheap too.

[grapeape]

I'm starting to hate DLC with a passion. Especially when it comes to EA. Godfather in particular was annoying, getting to a weapon upgrade spot just for it to ask for MS points. Dragon Age's DLC is my most recent annoyance. Fair enough if the content is released 6 months down the line but DLC available at launch is plain extortion. It's more cancerous than the Wii, which will see us all flailing next year.

I dont really get this argument about DLC? I take it you already finished Dragon Age? The average time for completion of that one with side quests is nearly 50 hours, more than your moneys worth IMHO. I dont understand the "if they already made some dlc for it why not throw it on the disk", the main storyline is complete, additional crap thrown of the disk having nothing to do with the original story is just that additional crap, your loosing nothing by not having it. If a developer comes up with ideas to expand a game are you seriously saying they should just keep delaying it until they run out of ideas outside the main game itself?

People act like its all some big conspiracy, in previous generations we didnt have dlc because there was no technology in place for it, instead you just got the game as it and then game over...i'd rather be able to extend the experience at my discression. There are some that take advantage of DLC to sell basically half functional games but I wouldnt lump bioware in there...they have been excellent about providing value from the start.

[DanASBO]

I dont really get this argument about DLC? I take it you already finished Dragon Age? The average time for completion of that one with side quests is nearly 50 hours, more than your moneys worth IMHO. I dont understand the "if they already made some dlc for it why not throw it on the disk", the main storyline is complete, additional crap thrown of the disk having nothing to do with the original story is just that additional crap, your loosing nothing by not having it. If a developer comes up with ideas to expand a game are you seriously saying they should just keep delaying it until they run out of ideas outside the main game itself?

People act like its all some big conspiracy, in previous generations we didnt have dlc because there was no technology in place for it, instead you just got the game as it and then game over...i'd rather be able to extend the experience at my discression. There are some that take advantage of DLC to sell basically half functional games but I wouldnt lump bioware in there...they have been excellent about providing value from the start.

My main gripe with DA, as with most of this DLC malarky, is it's missing a major part of the game; Warden's Keep. Which is needed to store inventory. (Unless you cheat and use "Buyback" at the Merchant at your camp). In Godfather I can't hire the extra mob members or use certain guns unless I pay MS points, this content is on the disc I paid for, I'm sure Soul Cal had the same thing. Civ Rev was missing basic map options which were released as DLC alongside the game, the game was practically not worthing playing without them. Don't get me started on Map Packs. :mad:

Several games I've played this generation are missing integral parts of the game, or missing "extra" content that would normally be released as part of the same package. I blame it on Oblivion.

I wouldn't mind if they were actual expansion packs. Fallout and GTA having good examples of what DLC should be.

EDIT: There is also a possibility that I'm a jaded PC gamer. Years of getting free mods and maps take their toll on a guy. :p

[ThreeDog]

That's the other extreme delaying a game until x amount of content is ready, obviously people will appreciate DLC that expands a game in a worthwhile way, nobody expects them to add another 20 hours of DLC into the game but there is a clear line where publishers can delay the game two weeks to allow developers to add small final touches.

An example what's 'good' in DLC| Fallout 3 addons, Burnout Paradise zone/vehicle addons free or charged, A 3-5 map pack for your favourite fps, Maybe even the Mass Effect content which had so many complications in development it took six months to a year to develop. GTAIV content

Examples of what's 'evil' in DLC| Soul Calibur Yoda/Vader, Resident Evil 5 Multiplayer modes which were obviously ready and promoted in advance, Oblivion Armor, Blue Dragon +modes and mystery dungeons. Killzone 2 initial map/maps. Force Unleashed dlc and the GOTY issues, dragon age and even gears of war 2 near all of the content from the collectors edition is available to buy on xbl. In future even MW2 with complications.

Can the deluxe content from dragon age be bought within their little ea store btw? I kind of resent being charged £10 for what amounted to DLC and an extra £5 over the boxed version.

I guess my point is i have strong feelings about this issue. I feel there is a small conspiracy here! publishers see a new source of revenue some use it for amazing things and prioritise the main game while others are asking their developers which content can be removed or released a couple of weeks after launch for extra profit.

I realise this is a little novel but this is a good ongoing issue to discuss.

[morcar]

Personally paying to play a game online is the most stupid things ever. You already bought the game which cost around £30 to £50 and then you have to get a sub if your on the 360 or certain MMO games and then you have to buy the extra content.

Do they think we are all made of money or what ?

There is a resession going on ffs

I dont think any game should even go over the £25 mark and even then the budget market they all should be £7

No wonder people are hacking consoles and copying games although half of the game they hype are total sh*t and dont deserve any money at all.

[EL_CAD]

BTW I finally bought my first PC game in 4 years...Torchlight...wh00t its awesome too...its on sale for the holidays and has pretty low system requirements...highly recommend it, its by some some ex blizzard folks along with some from Mythic and Fate really cool stuff and cheap too.

Torchlight FTW! Best $5 game I bought this week.

[dsav]

Personally paying to play a game online is the most stupid things ever. You already bought the game which cost around £30 to £50 and then you have to get a sub if your on the 360 or certain MMO games and then you have to buy the extra content.

Do they think we are all made of money or what ?

There is a resession going on ffs

I dont think any game should even go over the £25 mark and even then the budget market they all should be £7

No wonder people are hacking consoles and copying games although half of the game they hype are total sh*t and dont deserve any money at all.


yea man.

anyway i beat dragon age in like 44 hours within a week.

very good wrpg.

[grapeape]

Torchlight FTW! Best $5 game I bought this week.

Yea im hooked...gonna be playing this one for a long time...its diablo'ish but more RPG'ish as well. Only game I can really think of like it was one no one I know played other than myself called Silver...one of the most pure fun action rpg's i have ever played and very high in my all time favorites list. Art style is almost identical, interface is similar as well.

[EL_CAD]

Yea im hooked...gonna be playing this one for a long time...its diablo'ish but more RPG'ish as well. Only game I can really think of like it was one no one I know played other than myself called Silver...one of the most pure fun action rpg's i have ever played and very high in my all time favorites list. Art style is almost identical, interface is similar as well.

You're right, I had not heard of Silver before today.

I should have bought two copies of Torchlight, since my daughter has not stopped playing it since we got it.