Support NeoGAF

[Like the hat?]

What do you think is the most likely culprit here? We have seen multiple games now that are ten dollars more on switch than anywhere else. Do you think it's a matter of the cost of the game cards, or is it just people seeing what they can get out of switch owners? Has any dev commented on this?

 

[Fat4all]

i don't think there's enough evidence to say games are always gonna be more expensive

give it a year, id think

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Haven't we just seen like 1-2?

 

[Eolz]

A bit of both.
Seems like for the small runs (indies) it'd be a 5$ increase max. Not more than that, and not really the case for big runs.

edit: but yeah, hopefully won't be the case soon. Same happened with the PS4 at first.

 

[xxracerxx]

Haven't we just seen like 1-2?

Switch?

 

[Fat4all]

Switch?

barzoople

 

[James Scott]

A bit of both most likely. No way carts increase the cost by $10, RiMe's devs are full of it; but it is likely more expensive. Publishers usually think they can get more from consumers when there's little to choose from which is the case on console launche s

 

[RichiRamjag]

I think it's too early to say. Not enough precedent tbh.

 

[Like the hat?]

Going along with this was there ever a reason given why Minecraft costs ten dollars more on Wii u than anywhere else?

 

[chillybright]

If one year later there is still price premium, we could then attribute it to cartridge cost.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Why not both?

 

[xxracerxx]

barzoople

DRAW!

 

[Arttemis]

This may be selfish of me, but I honestly don't care if Physical games have a premium cost because of the cart - and they seem to have that Switch tax. What I DO care about, though, is the cost of digital titles being the same as other platforms. So far, the costs on the Switch are higher on a growing number of multiplatform games, and the price of the digital eStore versions match the inflated costs of the retail physical version. That's a major problem.

Puyo Puyo Tetris is the only game to release at a different price point: $40 retail, $30 digital (matching the price on other platforms). Evidently, that's because it's releasing as a "special retail edition" with a couple tangible goodies thrown in.

I want to buy 3rd party games on the Switch, but as long as this Switch tax is present on the digital store front, I'm not going to be giving anyone my money for those games.

 

[Berordn]

Unless Nintendo's making sweetheart deals with publishers for the game carts, they almost assuredly are more expensive. But I can't imagine the cost is such that it alone warrants the price, considering how it's relatively few games that are going for the price gouge approach.

Puyo Puyo Tetris does make me wonder, though.

 

[frankie_baby]

Going along with this was there ever a reason given why Minecraft costs ten dollars more on Wii u than anywhere else?

They included an add on pack, though the more real reason is that they've been charging far less on other systems than they now know they could

 

[frankie_baby]

Unless Nintendo's making sweetheart deals with publishers for the game carts, they almost assuredly are more expensive. But I can't imagine the cost is such that it alone warrants the price, considering how it's relatively few games that are going for the price gouge approach.

Puyo Puyo Tetris does make me wonder, though.

Puyo puyo tetris includes physical extras

 

[Madao]

new tech always costs more. these will go down in price as more are produced.

Spoiler

though i still don't know how this wasn't an issue when 3DS launched...
maybe Nintendo isn't offering enough incentives.

 

[Jonneh3003]

It isn't really a trend, some Publishers are just trying to get away with the excitement of a new system.

Games like Cave Story would have been $30 if it was being sold physically on any platform, especially seeming as they're adding new modes and content like co-op.

RiME is just greed.

 

[Ridley327]

They included an add on pack, though the more real reason is that they've been charging far less on other systems than they now know they could

Yeah, the default retail version on Xbox One these days is the one that costs $30 and comes with a bunch of skin packs. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if we get a similar release on PS4 by the end of this year with all of the Playstation character skin packs.

 

[LegendofLex]

When your game is premium content on one system but an indie swimming in a world of AAA content on other platforms, you're naturally going to be able/want to charge more on the content where your game is a bigger release.

 

[Jonneh3003]

I would also like to bring up that Puyo Puyo Tetris most likely fits on the smallest Switch card seeming as the game is merely 1GB. I highly doubt that would warrent a $10 price bump. We had 3DS and Vita games that were bigger and cheaper than that.

When your game is premium content on one system but an indie swimming in a world of AAA content on other platforms, you're naturally going to be able/want to charge more on the content where your game is a bigger release.

This is also true, the team at RiME probably thought hard about this and decided they could get away with it. I was lucky enough to get the Amazon price error but I was planning on picking it up on Switch anyway.

 

[SmokedMeat]

I don't get how suddenly now cart costs are a factor when they weren't on 3DS and Vita.

I say it's definitely passing costs onto the consumer, along with some gouging. The only way this is going to change will be if consumers choose to buy the cheaper (and superior) versions on other platforms. If it's hurting sales then you'll see an about face.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Multiple? Like...1?

I don't see how it can be the cards, and if it was, it shouldn't be $10. But we had that whole Rime thread to talk about that, so...

I mean, we have the Monster Boy devs looking to release a physical version on Switch, and they've stated that it would be the same price as everywhere else.

 

[Futureman]

Aside from the carts, is it true that Nintendo has licensing fees that are higher than Sony/MS?

I don't really care that much what the real reason behind it is. $10 more isn't that big of a deal and you can always find deals, sales or buy used. Or pricing errors like $23 Rime through Amazon.

 

[cartman414]

They really should have compiled Ultra Street Fighter II alongside Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper Max and/or Street Fighter III: Third Strike at the very least. Would have made it a far more appealing proposition value wise.

 

[Jonneh3003]

They really should have compiled Ultra Street Fighter II alongside Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper Max and/or Street Fighter III: Third Strike at the very least. Would have made it a far more appealing proposition value wise.

I think Ultra Street Fighter 2 will still sell really well. The concept of being able to play the worlds most popular iteration of the most popular fighting franchise anywhere is very tempting and they marketed it well during the Super Bowl ad: https://youtu.be/CdWd8fUC71g?t=1m14s

Just ripping off the joycons and playing Street Fighter 2 with a friend sounds amazing. I would have also liked something more than just Street Fighter 2 but I still think this will do just fine. Plus it will have an active online community which is always cool for Street Fighter 2.

It will probably hook some of the more casual players on nostalgia alone.

 

[Jawmuncher]

A little here and a little there is probably the correct answer

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Aside from the carts, is it true that Nintendo has licensing fees that are higher than Sony/MS?

I don't think that's been true in literally over a decade. Multiple generations. It's one of those things that have just persisted because

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Eh. Both? I normally don't agree that physical carts can up a game's price by 10 bucks. 5 I can understand.

 

[RichiRamjag]

Aside from the carts, is it true that Nintendo has licensing fees that are higher than Sony/MS?

I don't really care that much what the real reason behind it is. $10 more isn't that big of a deal and you can always find deals, sales or buy used. Or pricing errors like $23 Rime through Amazon.

It's a big deal if it were to become a trend. Portability is cool, but no excuse for a higher price.

 

[frankie_baby]

Aside from the carts, is it true that Nintendo has licensing fees that are higher than Sony/MS?

I don't really care that much what the real reason behind it is. $10 more isn't that big of a deal and you can always find deals, sales or buy used. Or pricing errors like $23 Rime through Amazon.

Highly unlikely, gamecube fee (licencing fee + disc cost) was 9 dollars, while i believe ps/xbox were more i doubt nintendo would have gouged since then especially seeing as games on their systems havw generally been cheaper than others

 

[Zombie James]

I don't buy the new system gouging theory. The PS4 was hot out of the gate and game prices didn't rise. In fact, the only time I can remember game prices changing with new system launches was with the PSX and Saturn, and those were price drops because of the move away from carts.

So I say it's the carts.

 

[funkystudent]

New systems always take a while for their software prices to be more reasonable. I think devs are just trying to get away with it.

 

[Nosgotham]

Is there a list of games that are more expensive on switch?

I just bought has been heroes which was 19.99. I own 12 switch titles and don't feel like I've paid a switch "tax" yet. But it seems to be the consensus that switch games are more expensive as a rule and not an exception

 

[PetrCobra]

3DS games are on cards and they are usually cheaper than normal, so... I don't know. I mean sure, Switch cards have bigger capacity, the games are different etc., but somehow I'm not convinced that we're back in N64 era. Did any of the publishers of the more expensive games give a statement claiming that the cards are to blame?

 

[TheAggroCraig]

Is there a list of games that are more expensive on switch?

I just bought has been heroes which was 19.99. I own 12 switch titles and don't feel like I've paid a switch "tax" yet. But it seems to be the consensus that switch games are more expensive as a rule and not an exception

The difference here is HBH is a digital only game, while the argument here is regarding physical games.

 

[Huge Succeeded]

I don't know why anyone would assume it's card cost when card cost hasn't been a real issue for a long time

 

[Riesenfass]

Keep in mind that new systems have limited install bases which limits the amount of sales. Add that to the cost of porting or development on new hardware (training, dev kits, cert costs, etc).

I'm not excusing it, but those are some of the business realities.

 

[Jonneh3003]

I don't know why anyone would assume it's card cost when card cost hasn't been a real issue for a long time

Indeed. It's very likely just a business decision to take advantage of early adopters.

 

[Nairume]

The difference here is HBH is a digital only game, while the argument here is regarding physical games.

HBH isn't digital only on Switch.

 

[OmegaDL50]

I don't get how suddenly now cart costs are a factor when they weren't on 3DS and Vita.

I say it's definitely passing costs onto the consumer, along with some gouging. The only way this is going to change will be if consumers choose to buy the cheaper (and superior) versions on other platforms. If it's hurting sales then you'll see an about face.

This is a good point.

 

[eme]

The difference here is HBH is a digital only game, while the argument here is regarding physical games.

Has Been Heroes isn't a digital only game, it had a full physical release through GameStop since they own the publisher. I bought it for that reason.

 

[Justin Bailey]

Nintendo tax.

 

[Jonneh3003]

Nintendo tax.

This isn't a thing. Zero Nintendo developed games have suffered price increases from being on the Switch.

 

[James Scott]

new tech always costs more. these will go down in price as more are produced.

Spoiler

though i still don't know how this wasn't an issue when 3DS launched...
maybe Nintendo isn't offering enough incentives.

Capcom wanted to charge $50 for RE Revelations but people refused to accept it so they switched back.

I don't buy the new system gouging theory. The PS4 was hot out of the gate and game prices didn't rise. In fact, the only time I can remember game prices changing with new system launches was with the PSX and Saturn, and those were price drops because of the move away from carts.

So I say it's the carts.

PS3 versions were $10 cheaper than the PS4 versions early on. ($50 vs $60)

 

[Nosgotham]

The difference here is HBH is a digital only game, while the argument here is regarding physical games.

Hmmmm. I find that interesting considering I own it physically and it's the same price....

 

[Sanke__]

At most the difference between a blu Ray and a switch cart is a dollar
Not even close to $10

 

[Sanke__]

Keep in mind that new systems have limited install bases which limits the amount of sales. Add that to the cost of porting or development on new hardware (training, dev kits, cert costs, etc).

I'm not excusing it, but those are some of the business realities.

These are all real costs, but it is kind of insane to pass them on to consumers in this way especially when they have no reason to think $10 more per game will make up for lost sales due to the game being $10 more

 

[Family Fry]

I saw this in another thread and thought it was semi relevant. Regarding possible costs of cartridges being more expensive than blu-ray, at least for Vita carts.

Mobile link to post.
http://m.neogaf.com/showpost.php?p=233439398

It honestly doesn't make any sense that Vita games are cheaper - it's just done on some notion that portable games should be cheaper (like they're inherently less valuable). Vita cartridges cost anywhere from 2x to 3x as much to press as PS4 discs (for Atelier it will be ABOVE the 3x mark). The assumption that they should be less for no reason other than to preserve some antiquated established notion of portable games being cheaper is stupid. It's actually this logic that makes so many companies opt to NOT do physical games on Vita. They know they can't charge enough to justify the extremely high cost of goods. The faster people can get out of this mindset, the better it will be for physical portable games.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

It's greed, even if the carts cost more then the price should increase by $5 max, there's no way the carts cost them an additional $10.