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[Flying Toaster]

What will kill the sales for Switch users is that most Switch owners as of right now have other consoles or a pc. Even if production costs were higher because of factors we do not as buyers have access to it still looks really bad. Especially at only a $10 increase.

 

[Crimson_Gold]

Back up what you're saying because I don't believe it.

Yeah, who is this guy?

He's a dev. He's been in the industry for a while. Come on guys. I don't know why it is so hard to believe. And before you kill the messenger, he was quite excited about the Switch

 

[EternalDarko]

You know the exact cost is under NDA. Just has to be.

Based off what KL is saying, the cost can be prohibitive to some publishers and will cause cost and pricing issues for some. That or digital only releases for some titles on the Switch. (This is my own speculation)

How can we trust some random person on a gaming forum saying I have the proof when there's no proof. Donald trump all over again.

 

[RichiRamjag]

What will kill the sales for Switch users is that most Switch owners as of right now have other consoles or a pc. Even if production costs were higher because of factors we do not as buyers have access to it still looks really bad. Especially at only a $10 increase.

Perception is the problem. It's a bad look no matter what their reasons. Getting it late doesn't help. If there were some type of extra content or anything, it'd look better, but to many, I'm sure it seems like a slap in the face.

 

[Cerium]

It's not even like Switch owners don't have indie options in the immediate future. We're getting all of this in March alone:

Shovel Knight - $25, Out Now, Timed Exclusive
FAST RMX - $20, Out Now, Exclusive
Snipperclips - $20, Out Now, Exclusive
Blaster Master Zero - $10, Out Tomorrow, Exclusive
VOEZ - $25, Out Tomorrow, Console Exclusive
Snake Pass - $20, March 28, Price and Date Parity

These are all quality games that treat the platform and its owners with respect and you can get two of them for the price of RiME. If RiME is counting on desperation from Switch users I can assure you we'll be too busy playing other things to care.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

You know the exact cost is under NDA. Just has to be.

Don't come here and say things you dont wanna back up. Its not my problem if its NDA.

No one is forcing anyone to do a physical release

 

[ArchedThunder]

Great way to kill the Switch version's sales.

 

[Makonero]

Vita carts were cheaper than what Nintendo charge.

There are serveral factors that I'll put below.

1) Digital generally has to be match Physical so not to piss off the still very important retail. This will be around for a while.

2) The cost of the Switch carts (which, by the way, are fucking outrageous) means that devs/publishers HAVE to increase the price of the game so they can return a profit. Remember, on a £50 game, the dev doesn't see £50. It's much, much less. Then take into account the additional cost of the manufacter (in this case, Switch carts), margins are much tighter. Then on top of this is the added risk of releasing on a new platform with a small user base, and you have a challenging situation.

So why the fuck are they bothering with a physical release on Switch? Do digital only and keep price parity. Fucking Ace Attorney games do that. Jesus Christ is it that hard to not screw over the consumer?

 

[gogogow]

Coming out later and more expensive, lol. Definitely skipping this one. Plenty of other indie games coming out for the Switch anyway.

 

[jonno394]

He's a dev. He's been in the industry for a while. Come on guys. I don't know why it is so hard to believe. And before you kill the messenger, he was quite excited about the Switch

It's not "hard to believe" it's just normal to ask for info about the source.

 

[Crimson_Gold]

So why the fuck are they bothering with a physical release on Switch? Do digital only and keep price parity. Fucking Ace Attorney games do that. Jesus Christ is it that hard to not screw over the consumer?

Umm, they tried to offer you a choice and it ended up like this. I doubt they're out to screw the consumer. Maybe we can ask Nintendo about the cart costs, run requirements, and etc. You know they have a hand to play in that

 

[ScientificPizza]

You know the exact cost is under NDA. Just has to be.

Based off what KL is saying, the cost can be prohibitive to some publishers and will cause cost and pricing issues for some. That or digital only releases for some titles on the Switch. (This is my own speculation)

Oh, I didn't even think of manufacturing costs being under NDA. Makes sense though.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Vita carts were cheaper than what Nintendo charge.

There are serveral factors that I'll put below.

1) Digital generally has to be match Physical so not to piss off the still very important retail. This will be around for a while.

2) The cost of the Switch carts (which, by the way, are fucking outrageous) means that devs/publishers HAVE to increase the price of the game so they can return a profit. Remember, on a £50 game, the dev doesn't see £50. It's much, much less. Then take into account the additional cost of the manufacter (in this case, Switch carts), margins are much tighter. Then on top of this is the added risk of releasing on a new platform with a small user base, and you have a challenging situation.

Who are you??

 

[EDarkness]

Vita carts were cheaper than what Nintendo charge.

There are serveral factors that I'll put below.

1) Digital generally has to be match Physical so not to piss off the still very important retail. This will be around for a while.

2) The cost of the Switch carts (which, by the way, are fucking outrageous) means that devs/publishers HAVE to increase the price of the game so they can return a profit. Remember, on a £50 game, the dev doesn't see £50. It's much, much less. Then take into account the additional cost of the manufacter (in this case, Switch carts), margins are much tighter. Then on top of this is the added risk of releasing on a new platform with a small user base, and you have a challenging situation.

Then the answer is obvious. Skip the retail option and let the game be the same price across the board. It's really as simple as that. At least people can get the game for the same price regardless of the system they own. I still can't believe the carts are that expensive, either.

 

[NeoRaider]

Umm, they tried to offer you a choice and it ended up like this. I doubt they're out to screw the consumer. Maybe we can ask Nintendo about the cart costs, run requirements, and etc. You know they have a hand to play in that

I am sure that ppl would prefer digital only over more expensive physical and digital.

 

[KennyLinder]

So why the fuck are they bothering with a physical release on Switch? Do digital only and keep price parity. Fucking Ace Attorney games do that. Jesus Christ is it that hard to not screw over the consumer?

Because publishers are scared of digital only. They are scared of lack of shelf awareness, and being lost on a digital store.

 

[RichiRamjag]

Umm, they tried to offer you a choice and it ended up like this. I doubt they're out to screw the consumer. Maybe we can ask Nintendo about the cart costs, run requirements, and etc. You know they have a hand to play in that

They can keep the choice if it ups the cost for both versions. It's not a good compromise.

 

[Fredrik]

This makes no sense. And I've seen the response from the devs. The majority of the development cost obviously comes from the other versions, they just started on Switch and it's basically just about porting. If anything it should be cheaper. If we got a ton of exclusive dlc included it could make sense but it's the same version. Not acceptable.

This was a day 1 purchase for me.
But now I won't buy it at all.

 

[Crimson_Gold]

It's not "hard to believe" it's just normal to ask for info about the source.

Fair enough. I just thought more people knew KL after his exposing TLG was still in development many moons ago.

Oh, I didn't even think of manufacturing costs being under NDA. Makes sense though.

Yea. I'm sure there's a great deal of info under NDA for all of the platforms. I can see why a platform holder would want manufacturing costs kept secret though

I am sure that ppl would prefer digital only over more expensive physical and digital.

They can keep the choice if it ups the cost for both versions. It's not a good compromise.

Because publishers are scared of digital only. They are scared of lack of shelf awareness, and being lost on a digital store.

And there you have it

 

[Calm Mind]

I expected this level of incompetence from EA or Activision first.

 

[DeuceGamer]

I'm not buying the cart price difference. Vita and 3DS got several physical indie releases and I'm not aware of any that had increased prices.

 

[maxcriden]

Vita carts were cheaper than what Nintendo charge.

There are serveral factors that I'll put below.

1) Digital generally has to be match Physical so not to piss off the still very important retail. This will be around for a while.

I don't doubt what all you wrote. I would think digital only would be the best bet for Switch if it was the only way to offer the same price. Also to the quoted part, then how do Puyo Puyo Tetris and Shovel Knight get away with it, just by adding bonuses? If so, I would have thought that would be a good solution here too.

 

[Equanimity]

It's not even like Switch owners don't have indie options in the immediate future. We're getting all of this in March alone:

Shovel Knight - $25, Out Now, Timed Exclusive
FAST RMX - $20, Out Now, Exclusive
Snipperclips - $20, Out Now, Exclusive
Blaster Master Zero - $10, Out Tomorrow, Exclusive
VOEZ - $25, Out Tomorrow, Console Exclusive
Snake Pass - $20, March 28, Price and Date Parity

These are all quality games that treat the platform and its owners with respect and you can get two of them for the price of RiME. If RiME is counting on desperation from Switch users I can assure you we'll be too busy playing other things to care.

Just maybe the Switch carts are more expensive than the decade old Blu-ray.

Shovel Knight costs more on the Switch than it does on the PS4.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

The carts could be $100, why should consumers eat that price increase for the publisher?

 

[Crimson_Gold]

I don't doubt what all you wrote. I would think digital only would be the best bet for Switch if it was the only way to offer the same price. Also to the quoted part, then how do Puyo Puyo Tetris and Shovel Knight get away with it, just by adding bonuses? If so, I would have thought that would be a good solution here too.

One has a major publisher and the other is an already very successful title that has presence on previous Nintendo platforms

There's always more to the story than a simple why could x do it

 

[EDarkness]

Maybe Switch carts are more expensive than decade old blurays.
Shovel Knight costs more on the Switch than it does on the PS4.

Isn't there a sale going on with Shovel Knight currently? Eventually all versions will be the same price.

 

[Oregano]

Vita carts were cheaper than what Nintendo charge.

There are serveral factors that I'll put below.

1) Digital generally has to be match Physical so not to piss off the still very important retail. This will be around for a while.

2) The cost of the Switch carts (which, by the way, are fucking outrageous) means that devs/publishers HAVE to increase the price of the game so they can return a profit. Remember, on a £50 game, the dev doesn't see £50. It's much, much less. Then take into account the additional cost of the manufacter (in this case, Switch carts), margins are much tighter. Then on top of this is the added risk of releasing on a new platform with a small user base, and you have a challenging situation.

Even if the rest is true the bolded isn't the consumer's problem. They're choosing the route that fucks us the most.

Maybe Switch carts are more expensive than decade old blurays.
Shovel Knight costs more on the Switch than it does on the PS4.

Fairly sure it doesn't.

 

[Surface of Me]

So why the fuck are they bothering with a physical release on Switch? Do digital only and keep price parity. Fucking Ace Attorney games do that. Jesus Christ is it that hard to not screw over the consumer?

Just going by this forum a lot of people seem to still love physical releases, I inagine Nintendo fans overlap with that. They thought it wise to give the consumer an option.

As to the bold, you should be asking Nintendo. They likely know what it cost to print blu-rays and decided to go with a physical form more expensive anyways. If this is all true, that is. Frankly it isnt hard to imagine going by Nintendo's history.

 

[Cerium]

Shovel Knight costs more on the Switch than it does on the PS4.

You're confused. Plague of Shadows and therefore Treasure Trove is not on PS4.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

I'm not buying the cart price difference. Vita and 3DS got several physical indie releases and I'm not aware of any that had increased prices.

It's a fact of production that carts are more expensive than discs. The Switch carts are Gaming Xtra ROM chips made by Macronix which are pretty new and cost a pretty penny.

 

[KennyLinder]

The carts could be $100, why should consumers eat that price increase for the publisher?

Because margins are so tight in game development.

Rime might be an amazing game but it probably won't sell millions. They will need keep margins as high as possible so they can keep their jobs and make another game.

 

[jonno394]

Maybe Switch carts are more expensive than decade old blurays.
Shovel Knight costs more on the Switch than it does on the PS4.

The digital game, shovel Knight, costs more on switch? I thought all versions were $25 now with treasure trove.

 

[Equanimity]

Isn't there a sale going on with Shovel Knight currently? Eventually all versions will be the same price.

Nah there's no sale. It's £20 on PS store.

Fairly sure it doesn't.

It is. Let me grab my Switch to give you the exact difference.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Shovel Knight costs more on the Switch than it does on the PS4.

Pretty sure Yacht Games said the price is increasing for all versions to the Switch price

 

[gogogow]

You're confused. Plague of Shadows and therefore Treasure Trove is not on PS4.

Just checked Shovel Knight PS4 on EU PSN Store, it's €24.99 and the Switch version includes all DLC, no? It's also €24.99. Doesn't that make the Switch version cheaper? Same price with more content.

 

[DeuceGamer]

It's a fact of production that carts are more expensive than discs. The Switch carts are Gaming Xtra ROM chips made by Macronix which are pretty new and cost a pretty penny.

I guess that's why other games are released at a premium on Switch.

 

[Alebrije]

"Nobody" will get the Switch version at that price. If developer think can add 10 extra bucks should be thinking to add more content like more levels or a gif or free DLC for Swtich users.

Is a bad price strategy, the only way I can see this game selling a that price on Switch is if becomes a great experience a big hit.

 

[Oregano]

Nah there's no sale. It's £20 on PS store.



It is. Let me grab my Switch to give you the exact difference.

Just checked, you're correct. It's £2.49 more and the PS version is Cross Buy. Yacht Club can fuck off as well then.

 

[EternalDarko]

Just going by this forum a lot of people seem to still love physical releases, I inagine Nintendo fans overlap with that. They thought it wise to give the consumer an option.

As to the bold, you should be asking Nintendo. They likely know what it cost to print blu-rays and decided to go with a physical form more expensive anyways. If this is all true, that is. Frankly it isnt hard to imagine going by Nintendo's history.

Hilarious, yes it's all Nintendo's fault. Shame on them to make a portable device that requires you to have non optical media.

 

[jonno394]

Just checked, you're correct. It's £2.49 more and the PS version is Cross Buy. Yacht Club can fuck off as well then.

Seems it's only us uk guys getting screwed here. Eu and us prices are the same across consoles.

 

[BorkBork]

Because publishers are scared of digital only. They are scared of lack of shelf awareness, and being lost on a digital store.

Now they are going to lose sales because of the price difference. I don't think they'll lose too much on the Switch digital store since they will be situated within the first wave of games. They'll have way less competition and more exposure compared to the other platforms.

Whatever. That's what they decided. We shall see how things pan out.

 

[DeuceGamer]

"Nobody" will get the Switch version at that price. If developer think can add 10 extra bucks should be thinking to add more content like more levels or a gif or free DLC for Swtich users.

Is a bad price strategy, the only way I can see this game selling a that price on Switch is if becomes a great experience a big hit.

Yep. Honestly if that's the only way they can make a profit they are better off skipping the Switch version.

I also don't buy that digital has to have price parity. We've seen several indie releases that have a higher price for Physical releases compared to digital including Shovel Knight.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

I guess that's why other games are released at a premium on Switch.

Already said it should be cheaper digitally but I've said since before the NX was even announced if Nintendo did go back to carts there will be publishers that say no to the console because of the costs or charge more. Here we're seeing that. Unfortunate consequence of Nintendo going cart based.

 

[Christberg]

I manage our Twitter so I am being consistent!

As I mentioned there are varying factors that go into the price increase. I cannot obviously go into detail as to all of the factors (some of which I don't even have vision into), we did not do this out of malice as I mentioned. Development, production, and manufacturing costs are all factors in the decisions making process and this was the decision that was made.

Bad move. You're talking about a system that has a history of receiving late, overpriced ports. The audience you're doing this to has been dealing with this stuff for ages and will just spend their money on something that has better parity or buy it elsewhere.

It's a waste of your money to do this and it leaves a bad look for your potential customers. Which hurts your future sales.

AKA at least make the digital version the same cost, and if the delay is only a few weeks just delay everything. If the delay is longer, include extra content to make up the cost difference.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

Because margins are so tight in game development.

Rime might be an amazing game but it probably won't sell millions. They will need keep margins as high as possible so they can keep their jobs and make another game.

So charity? You're answer is do it for them at no benefit to yourself so they can make more games?

Read what you wrote man. They can skip the platform and the Switch can die and Nintendo can go outta business. As a consumer there is no reason to eat this cost.

 

[CronoShot]

Because publishers are scared of digital only. They are scared of lack of shelf awareness, and being lost on a digital store.

Well as a result, they're likely surrendering a significant amount of sales of both physical and digital by jacking up the price.

Is that a worthy trade off in order to have "shelf awareness"? Probably not.

 

[Calm Mind]

Just maybe the Switch carts are more expensive than the decade old Blu-ray.

Shovel Knight costs more on the Switch than it does on the PS4.

A simple mistake or spreading misinformation?

 

[Mpl90]

Mmmh...so, taking what KennyLinder says as fact, we have the following situation I suppose:

1) bigger publishers shouldn't have no problem in eating the carts' costs, given their wide arrange of titles and sales overall. We can see this with titles like Just Dance 2017 ($59.99) and, above all, the upcoming Lego City Undercover, a game that was around 20GBs on Wii U, so it should use a 16GB cart at least.

2) smaller publishers and, above all, smaller games have more difficulties in keeping the prices of retail versions identical to the others', due to extremely tight margins. Some could even make the choice to keep price parity, while others could not; Tequila Works / GreyBox seemingly made the latter.

If that's the case, I hope the carts' costs can decrease soon enough so smaller developers and games won't have this kind of problems.

 

[DeuceGamer]

Already said it should be cheaper digitally but I've said since before the NX was even announced if Nintendo did go back to carts there will be publishers that say no to the console because of the costs or charge more. Here we're seeing that. Unfortunate consequence of Nintendo going cart based.

Sorry but I don't buy that carts are $10 more than disc based games. I agree they would be better off skipping the Switch because I now will not pick this up on any console.

 

[Mrbob]

Because publishers are scared of digital only. They are scared of lack of shelf awareness, and being lost on a digital store.

I understand your point but it doesn't make much sense in this situation. There aren't a ton of games on the Switch eShop so it wont be hard to get awareness on the platform. Their solution of a higher price point with physical release is a self fulfilling prophecy of not getting many sales on Switch.