SporeCrawler
Member
the reason is simple really. on the other platforms the competition is just much higher
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Rime comes out in May. Costs £10 more on Nintendo Switch.
- Thread starter Savantcore
- Start date
No idea but if they are investigating switch exclusive functions, this is likely what they are referring to
Regarding the physical game price: there are a couple of possibilities I can think of. Maybe the carts genuinely cost significantly more than discs. Or maybe Nintendo simply charges a flat license fee for all physical games (which includes the manufacture and delivery of the carts) - both amount to the same thing. It raises the per unit price to a level where a publisher has to charge ~$10 more to make a reasonable return.
This may only impact mid priced games though. I think both Sony and MS have variable licensing rates for games depending on the retail price. So while they might charge a $12 license fee for a $60 game, they might only charge $6 for a $30 game (numbers from my ass). This can make physical publishing of lower priced games possible. In such a situation I could imagine a physical $30 game on PS4/XB1 needing to be ~$40 on switch to make the publisher the same return per unit.
The digital price parity is just standard practice - yes there is no cost of manufacture but that doesn't stop EA etc charging full retail MSRP for digital games.
The counter-example to the first point is Puyo Puyo Tetris which is cheaper digitally.
But your other point might be be something.
Why are people even trying to justify or defend this at all?
If the manufacturing cost is higher on one platform (where digital is a no-cost) if that forces you to drive up the price why don't the publishers balance and set a price of $35 on all platforms and avoid all this controversy. Also in that case they will most likely earn more money in total.
If the manufacturing cost is higher on one platform (where digital is a no-cost) if that forces you to drive up the price why don't the publishers balance and set a price of $35 on all platforms and avoid all this controversy. Also in that case they will most likely earn more money in total.
I have said earlier, Has Been Heroes physical edition is $19.99.
Or Gametrust has the secret formula, or there isn't that big difference between platforms on license fees and manufacturing.
But you are buying the console for the ability to play portably and on your TV, the game doesn't require any special sauce to run in both modes. That's like saying all cross platform Xbox One games should be $10 higher because the same version can be played on your console and on your PC.
If you're happy to pay an extra $10 per Switch game for the reasons you have stated all power to you, but there isn't logic there, and I think you're allowing yourself to be ripped off. But it's your money, so...
Fredrik
Member
lol don't give them any ideas now!
Yep, this is a greedy business decision, game is even made in unreal engine where games are ported to the Switch in a week.
I'll speak for our producer here and say he wishes it could be ported in a week.
Sarcasm? But I guess the porting process would be faster if the Switch was more powerful as the game is optimized for more powerful hardware.
Every other platform users should pay 5 more because the Nintendo switch chose to be different? Yeah sure
Aztechnology
Member
Well I guess that settles it for me. I'll go PC. Seems really silly to have it priced above the other systems though.
I have a few questions out of curiousity though.
Is the Switch Version 60fps? Does it support HDR on PC/PS4?
I have a few questions out of curiousity though.
Is the Switch Version 60fps? Does it support HDR on PC/PS4?
Their justification is lacking, although it's hard to tell whether it's because they are unwilling to give a proper explanation, or whether they are contractually bound not to.
If it's the former it's not really acceptable, if it's the latter that was a dumb contract to sign.
They deserve the flack they are getting, and I hope this strategy fails so no one else tries the same in future.
If it's the former it's not really acceptable, if it's the latter that was a dumb contract to sign.
They deserve the flack they are getting, and I hope this strategy fails so no one else tries the same in future.
DeuceGamer
Member
I agree. There was plenty of people who were excited for this game. Now that excitement has been turned to frustration and it will absolutely impact their sales figures. I hope they reconsider the pricing.
I cant believe the overall dev costs are more for a Switch port compared to the dev costs of the PS4/X1 version. Regardless I can't think of a reason why the price should be increased by $10.
I'm hoping the reason for this difference isn't the dev time associated with porting. We have been told that the dev tools for Switch are excellent, so the only explanation I can think of is the gulf in power between the Switch and the original target hardware. Perhaps this means there was a lot of work involved to make it run at an acceptable frame rate? (changing assets, lighting etc).
If this is the reason then it would be very worrying as it could be a sign of things to come for other games being ported from PS4/XBONE to Switch.
Although I do think that even if the dev costs are higher on Switch, they should have spread it the cost across all SKUs, or not release on Switch at all.
If this is the reason then it would be very worrying as it could be a sign of things to come for other games being ported from PS4/XBONE to Switch.
Although I do think that even if the dev costs are higher on Switch, they should have spread it the cost across all SKUs, or not release on Switch at all.
First off thanks for posting some replies in here
I would seriously reconsider your decision here regarding the price of the Switch version. It's already bringing negativity to your game, something you simply do not want before you launch your game. Not only does it put people off buying on Switch, but people on other platforms will also see this news and think nah i'm not buying that now, i'll wait for a sale.
You're in a great position with the Switch, by the time your game comes out people will have played Zelda and be looking at buying something new when there won't be much new stuff out at that time. Instead of trying to take advantage of the situation, you should be doing your best to maximise sales, which you will not do with your current price structure. People like myself who are very interested in your game, will not support the practice of it costing more on Switch, instead i'll wait for a sale and by the time that happens, i'll probably have a few new games i'm playing and have completely lost interest in your game
Your game looks very interesting, I hope I can pick it up at launch at the same price
gingerbeardman
Member
I'm out
Hang in there buddy, someone will LOL soon I'm sure
OT: Physical release price can be justified potentially by the different media (Carts must cost more than discs). Hopefully it's not a sign of things to come though.
Digital price is just disgusting, but is indicative of a market trend. Of all the things the Gaming Community stamps its feet about, I cannot believe we don't make a bigger hoo-ha about Digital games being the same price as Physical.
I know the rationale is that they don't want to undercut physical retailers, but that isn't my f**ing problem tbqh. It almost borders on price fixing and this practise just needs to stop. And if it means physical retailers suffer and have to adjust to a digital world, so be it. Can't fight progress people!
I don't think Nintendo are forcing anyone, including themselves, to use HD rumble. There was an interview with Damon Baker the other day, though I don't have the link handy, where he said something to the effect of that developers are free to release any kind of game they want, including compatible only in touchscreen mode, and that they will make suggestions to the developers to try to steer them to certain features or potential consumer considerations but that they won't make them take advantage of specific features in the game.
It's funny that you all act like you know everything about the business. I do not, since I'm not in the game business, but you must understand that not everyone shares the same agreements, business opportunities etc. Do you really think that a small publisher have the exact same options as a larger one? How do you know what Nintendo has offered indie developers? Maybe Nintendo takes the cost for the media? Things like that would be in a contract they're not allowed to discuss. These are just if's, but there are so many and you choose to pick the if which is blaming the developer and their publisher for this. Maybe they cannot afford to eat the cost? Maybe this is the only way at the moment to publish the game on Switch.
I don't know, and neither do you. I'm not trying to defend anyone - I would say it's a smart move, though, to have a higher price on a platform where games are rare thing for the foreseeable future. And they might be straight up lying, but come on, you don't know the full story.
I don't know, and neither do you. I'm not trying to defend anyone - I would say it's a smart move, though, to have a higher price on a platform where games are rare thing for the foreseeable future. And they might be straight up lying, but come on, you don't know the full story.
potatohead
Member
Game cart price I imagine would be the most significant factor I really can't think of much else small studio perhaps releasing on new platform too
As a consumer I do not care about any of the things you mention, I care that it's available cheaper and sooner elsewhere. Paying a premium for the privilege of a delayed and worse running version of a game makes no sense to me as a consumer, hence why I will be skipping this.
They're not entitled to our money. It's their responsibility to persuade us.
Hang in there buddy, someone will LOL soon I'm sure
OT: Physical release price can be justified potentially by the different media (Carts must cost more than discs). Hopefully it's not a sign of things to come though.
Digital price is just disgusting, but is indicative of a market trend. Of all the things the Gaming Community stamps its feet about, I cannot believe we don't make a bigger hoo-ha about Digital games being the same price as Physical.
I know the rationale is that they don't want to undercut physical retailers, but that isn't my f**ing problem tbqh. It almost borders on price fixing and this practise just needs to stop. And if it means physical retailers suffer and have to adjust to a digital world, so be it. Can't fight progress people!
Agreed. This isn't just a problem with this game - it's the standard across all platforms (Puyo Puyo is one example that doesn't fit)
I would perhaps argue that digital prices being the same as physical (or higher when you account for physical discounts) is one way to increase the ASP which has stayed pretty much unchanged for years and years, although production costs have risen
Thanks Dariuas for your posts here. I've read your responses and walking into the lion's den this issue has created is admirable so thanks a lot.
I really hope your team will reconsider and offer this game at the 29.99 price on the Switch as an appeasement. With the game releasing much later than on other platforms, and with the game probably being discounted on those platforms by the time the Switch version releases... this is the most amicable way you can go about garnering some good will within the community.
Charging a higher price for the same game on some platforms and lower on others is not a pill easily swallowed... and while you are not specifically saying it, if the cartridge price is what is driving the cost up, maybe you should have went digital only on Switch if that were the only way to reach price parity... would have turned out better.
I really hope your team will reconsider and offer this game at the 29.99 price on the Switch as an appeasement. With the game releasing much later than on other platforms, and with the game probably being discounted on those platforms by the time the Switch version releases... this is the most amicable way you can go about garnering some good will within the community.
Charging a higher price for the same game on some platforms and lower on others is not a pill easily swallowed... and while you are not specifically saying it, if the cartridge price is what is driving the cost up, maybe you should have went digital only on Switch if that were the only way to reach price parity... would have turned out better.
Absolute BS, and you also gotta love the $10=£10/10eu exact conversion.
There is no excuse at they're just chatting shit about manufacturing costs. I won't be buying this game at all.
But regardless! My point still stands.
There is no excuse at they're just chatting shit about manufacturing costs. I won't be buying this game at all.
I've not even heard of this game
I don't even have a Switch.
But regardless! My point still stands.
And that also gets first print buyers stickers, reversible cover and a printed manual.
ryanofcall
Member
Oh well. Will wait for it going on sale on the eShop then :/
I think this is quite a missed opportunity, because Rime has the stature to be considered quite a big release and Switch has quite a sparse line-up right up to E3 so the potential for good sales is there, but not if the image created is that Switch owners are punished or taken advantage of. While there are probable reasonable excuses behind the price difference from a consumer point of view there is really no reason to pay more for the same product no matter how reasonable those reasons are.
Frankfurter
Member
Interesting (stupid) decision. If it's the gamecards that are way more expensive (I really don't see that being $10 though), then atleast the digital price should be the same as on other plattforms.
Was planning to get this on PC day 1, but as a Switch owner I'm not going to support these decisions. I could understand having the physical version be a few dollars more (not $10, but ~$5?) but having the digital version's price also increased is ridiculous. Now I'll just end up getting it on a Steam sale in a year or so for a 30-50% of the original price (if the game is even good).
My feedback is that this single decision will make me not buy your game at all until it's heavily discounted ($10 or less). As a Switch owner I would have been enticed on day one if the prices were the same. Your excuses really aren't great so I will vote with my wallet to discourage any other developer/publisher from trying to pull this crap.
4$, and that includes a bunch of cool goodies.
I really don't mind paying a bit more for having a physical card, but 5 should cover by far the extra cost, it shouldn't be 10.
Also digital should not be more expensive than other digital versions, that's dumb.
I really like what I've seen so far from Rime, really hoping the game is legitimately good.
Also digital should not be more expensive than other digital versions, that's dumb.
I really like what I've seen so far from Rime, really hoping the game is legitimately good.
Gotdatmoney
Member
As a consumer why would I pay more for the same product?
At the end of the day, this is the only point worth considering.
MarkMclovin
Member
Thats a bullshit decision to make and because of that, even though I could get it for the PS4 , PC or the Switch, I'll hold out until it drops in price to a respectable level for the Switch.
I have plenty of games to play before it, but I would have bought it day 1 if it wasn't for this price increase.
I have plenty of games to play before it, but I would have bought it day 1 if it wasn't for this price increase.