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Are people who whine about console prices a bit ridiculous?
- Thread starter DynamiteCop!
- Start date
Makoto-Yuki
Banned
yeah, of course.
consoles are budget platforms for people who aren't really interested in how games look or run. if you think $500 is too expensive to spend every 6 or so years then well...that's your problem. it'll be 7 years between PS4 + PS5. i paid £350 for my PS4 in 2013 and i still have it so that has only worked out at about £50 a year for me which is about the price of a single game.
consoles are cheap even if the PS5 goes for $500 or even $600. you think that's expensive? imagine if you actually cared about how games looked/performed and you wanted to get a PC. i've spent about £4,000 on my PC and it's worth every penny. i'll happily pick up a PS5 when it comes out even if it's £600. that's cheap to me because I paid £750 for a GPU, £490 for a cpu, £320 for RAM, £550 for my monitor, £400 for my motherboard. £410 for my SSD. £150 for my other SSD. £200 on my other hard drives.
consoles are budget platforms for people who aren't really interested in how games look or run. if you think $500 is too expensive to spend every 6 or so years then well...that's your problem. it'll be 7 years between PS4 + PS5. i paid £350 for my PS4 in 2013 and i still have it so that has only worked out at about £50 a year for me which is about the price of a single game.
consoles are cheap even if the PS5 goes for $500 or even $600. you think that's expensive? imagine if you actually cared about how games looked/performed and you wanted to get a PC. i've spent about £4,000 on my PC and it's worth every penny. i'll happily pick up a PS5 when it comes out even if it's £600. that's cheap to me because I paid £750 for a GPU, £490 for a cpu, £320 for RAM, £550 for my monitor, £400 for my motherboard. £410 for my SSD. £150 for my other SSD. £200 on my other hard drives.
OneShotThrill
Member
We are hobbyist. We will pay those extra prices with no problem. The casual market isnt paying more than 500 for a "toy". Dont compare consoles to cellphones. Cellphones are used ALL day by an individual and is also a status symbol. A casual gamer may boot up their system once a week.
Blond
Banned
Video game consoles aren't necessary. Let's be real, they're a first world luxury and there's nothing wrong with it costing a bit more, inflation adjusted we're paying less for both consoles and physical/digital games and there's no way you can tell me that you don't get your monies worth from them, especially in the US where we consume the most games but pay the least amount of money for them. Japan especially where Persona 5 at launch was 80 USD, You can go buy the Witcher 3 Complete Edition and even if you went down the critical path for the original game and expansions that's literally over 100 hours of entertainment! We can be upset all we want, but as a value proposition video games are more pro consumer than we like to admit.
MrS
Banned
Definitely. You're gonna have this box for 5-6 years and if you consider the yearly price of the box, it's cheap. I'd like for Sony to make the best console they can with the best components and price it accordingly. The box should be built to last and I'd have no qualms about paying top dollar for a top product. Also, if the price bothers you just don't buy the product and shut the fuck up about it. Those who want it will enjoy it.
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Traxtech
Member
At least you don't have friends like me who complain about PS5/XSX console prices yet splurge for every.single.damn.iphone that comes out their way.
They could easily do a $500 console, with a second console with beefier specs at $600 out of the gate. But then the people who buy the lower end would still find a way to complain. That's just how it goes.
It's all gimme gimme gimme and wanting to spend bottom dollar
They could easily do a $500 console, with a second console with beefier specs at $600 out of the gate. But then the people who buy the lower end would still find a way to complain. That's just how it goes.
It's all gimme gimme gimme and wanting to spend bottom dollar
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Everyone has different priorities and situations in life. And im sure theres people who love video games but just don't have the money for it so yeah i can see some people wishing it was a bit cheaper. All in all, when you look at time spent vs cost its still a good value. So idk how to vote, i guess i can understand a little complaining.
alabtrosMyster
Member
No, complaining about prices in general is a legit source of worries... Why should this be out of bounds for discussion, if something I want is too expensive I will have to either not buy it or buy it later.
GHG
Member
The reality is that whining about the price of anything that isn't essential (food, water, power, public transport etc) is pathetic.
You don't have to buy it, you don't have to have it, the company that is selling it doesn't owe you anything. If you can't afford it and you want it then it's something to work towards. The mass market will ultimately dictate if something is "too expensive" or not.
What I will say though is that its rare that something is in fact "too expensive", what usually happens is that the product doesn't have enough value for the price point.
You don't have to buy it, you don't have to have it, the company that is selling it doesn't owe you anything. If you can't afford it and you want it then it's something to work towards. The mass market will ultimately dictate if something is "too expensive" or not.
What I will say though is that its rare that something is in fact "too expensive", what usually happens is that the product doesn't have enough value for the price point.
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Newly Vacant
Member
I have a hard cap on console prices. I'm not going to pay over $400 for a console. If Sony and Microsoft introduce their next gen systems for more than that, I'll just wait until it's more affordable. I have three kids at home that all want to play different things. Between consoles, iPads, iPhones, and (in the past) handhelds, there's a lot money being spent on entertainment. I, personally, just can't justify the price of a >$400 console when there are some many other things that come out of that section of my budget. It just makes more sense to buy (or upgrade) an iPad and a Switch, than to spend that same amount or more on a single console that also ends up tying up the TV. I guess the math changes, for me, when I have five people in my house that all have different entertainment preferences.
johntown
Banned
What would the Internet be without whiners and complainers?
Not everyone has money to spare and I understand from that point of view. Realistically console prices are at first generally the best deal your going to get and Sony and Microsoft typically lose money on the sales for the first few years.
I voted yes because anyone complaining not due to financial struggles is a little ridiculous IMO.
Not everyone has money to spare and I understand from that point of view. Realistically console prices are at first generally the best deal your going to get and Sony and Microsoft typically lose money on the sales for the first few years.
I voted yes because anyone complaining not due to financial struggles is a little ridiculous IMO.
Rbk_3
Member
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xrnzaaas
Member
Some people are just terrible with money. It's not a horribly expensive hobby and even if you can't afford to spend 400-500 bucks up front you can spend a few months saving money for it. Owning (and upgrading) a decent PC or buying a new smartphone every year is much more expensive.
Zannegan
Member
Saying you won't buy something if it's over a certain price isn't whining, nor is saying a console over a certain price is a bad idea.
To be honest, I see a lot more people whining about customers being price-sensitive than I do folks actually complaining about a console's price. When I do see price-whining, it's usually in regards to a console that's been out for a while but hasn't dropped enough to suit their liking (Switch, PS4 Pro, XB1X, etc.)
Way to set up a neutral, evenhanded conversation about it though. From your titleñ to the poll, I can hardly tell what side of this issue you're on unless I really dig into the body of your OT... and every third reply to this thread. =P
To be honest, I see a lot more people whining about customers being price-sensitive than I do folks actually complaining about a console's price. When I do see price-whining, it's usually in regards to a console that's been out for a while but hasn't dropped enough to suit their liking (Switch, PS4 Pro, XB1X, etc.)
Way to set up a neutral, evenhanded conversation about it though. From your titleñ to the poll, I can hardly tell what side of this issue you're on unless I really dig into the body of your OT... and every third reply to this thread. =P
Ingeniero
Member
Yeah I think some people are drama queens, there, I said it, fight me.
For a console that will last you at least 5 years $100-$200 more is not that important imo.
Also you end up spending a lot more than that on games and services....
I rather they cut the price of games or PS+ $5-$10 than have cheaper, less powerful consoles.
Gaming is an expensive hobbie after all, even a luxury in some countries.
For a console that will last you at least 5 years $100-$200 more is not that important imo.
Also you end up spending a lot more than that on games and services....
I rather they cut the price of games or PS+ $5-$10 than have cheaper, less powerful consoles.
Gaming is an expensive hobbie after all, even a luxury in some countries.
HaveButOneLife
Banned
Entitled to what, exactly? A compact computer system with a price that matches that fact? $500 is too much in my opinion, and literally any console that has cost over $400 has never had PS2 or PS4 levels of success, even taking inflation into account.
The only compromise is $400. The Switch proves that in order to be competitive, you don't need competitive hardware, only a competitive price with a unique functionality.
You can't have nearly as many games if you don't have an install base, which only comes with successful consoles. This generation has a lot to thank the PS4 and Switch for.
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michaelius
Banned
Well depends 300-400$ might not be impulse buy territory for me but it sure is easy to eat the cost over 2-3 months and I can do this for few games.
500-600$ is area where it starts competing with other needs like maybe I should get that OLED TV or maybe I should get some new pc parts - so I need to see that yes hardware inside is worth it and yes I'll put enough time into playing on it which means it needs solid exclusives.
So if PS5 is like rumours say 9TF device i'd be willing to drop 400$ on it.
If it comes with 11-12 TF gpu like my 1080ti I'd be will to pay 500$ no problem.
Microsoft could put their monster console for 300$ and I still wouldn't buy it because i can play third party games on pc.
500-600$ is area where it starts competing with other needs like maybe I should get that OLED TV or maybe I should get some new pc parts - so I need to see that yes hardware inside is worth it and yes I'll put enough time into playing on it which means it needs solid exclusives.
So if PS5 is like rumours say 9TF device i'd be willing to drop 400$ on it.
If it comes with 11-12 TF gpu like my 1080ti I'd be will to pay 500$ no problem.
Microsoft could put their monster console for 300$ and I still wouldn't buy it because i can play third party games on pc.
diffusionx
Gold Member
I actually find the "OMG it's only $100 what are you, poor?" People to be infinitely worse and seemingly incapable of seeing past their own navel.
I have a high end PC. I can afford a $500 or $600 console if it's good. But I'm not the only market here. It's an objective fact that these consoles are basically luxury goods and are highly price elasticity. The price matters a lot. We see it every gen yet gamers keep insisting companies should jack up the price.
I have a high end PC. I can afford a $500 or $600 console if it's good. But I'm not the only market here. It's an objective fact that these consoles are basically luxury goods and are highly price elasticity. The price matters a lot. We see it every gen yet gamers keep insisting companies should jack up the price.
Hostile_18
Banned
I can understand it for people on lower income brackets but honestly compared to any other hobby gaming is so cheap.
It feels super tight to complain about console cost when people carry around such expensive phones.
Honestly £1000 or less every 7 years is nothing compared to how much enjoyment I get out of my console every day. I wouldn't mind a two tier price point console though, I think that's a fair compromise for everyone.
It feels super tight to complain about console cost when people carry around such expensive phones.
Honestly £1000 or less every 7 years is nothing compared to how much enjoyment I get out of my console every day. I wouldn't mind a two tier price point console though, I think that's a fair compromise for everyone.
FloatingIslands
Member
This isn't true. The problem with inflation is that salaries don't update accordingly, which makes things more expensive instead of cheaper.
At least in my country.
Also, I think it's good for customers to care about console prices, it makes everything more competitive.
Could I afford a €1000 console? Sure, I could just save up for a few months and easily afford it without my bank account noticing anything.
Am I going to do it? Hell no. I've never spent more then €300 on a console and it'll take a long time before I will. I absolutely love my Switch but I haven't touched it in 2-3 weeks or so. I simply don't game often enough to justify spending a lot of money on something I don't need and don't use that often. Also, I don't really care about performance as much as most people do so paying extra 'because graphics!' is useless to me. Currently playing 1602AD again, which is well over 20 years old now, and still think it looks fantastic. Don't need a thousand dollar console to play the stuff I want. There's aren't really any AAA titles that interest me and the stuff that does interest me doesn't require top notch hardware.
Am I going to do it? Hell no. I've never spent more then €300 on a console and it'll take a long time before I will. I absolutely love my Switch but I haven't touched it in 2-3 weeks or so. I simply don't game often enough to justify spending a lot of money on something I don't need and don't use that often. Also, I don't really care about performance as much as most people do so paying extra 'because graphics!' is useless to me. Currently playing 1602AD again, which is well over 20 years old now, and still think it looks fantastic. Don't need a thousand dollar console to play the stuff I want. There's aren't really any AAA titles that interest me and the stuff that does interest me doesn't require top notch hardware.
lukilladog
Member
50% or more of the people actually buying them, are the parents, and they´d rather spend that kind of money on things really necessary for their kids. $400 or fail.
Hendrick's
If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Personally, I would be happy with consoles being around the $800 mark if that came with the specs to match. But $500 is the max they could sell them for and still hope to move many units.
ClanOfNone
Member
If the new consoles are actually gonna push 12-13 TF than $500 for that type of power is pretty cheap.
This right here is the reason why the whole people pay X for phones argument doesn't work. People don't see their phone as a luxury any more. It, to them, has become a necessity and they will pay a premium for that. Consoles don't have that luxury. That's why the vast majority of consoles are sold after at least a $100 price drop from the launch price. Its also when you see the biggest jump in purchases overall.
EverydayBeast
ChatShitGPT Alpha 0.001
From a casual perspective I think the lower the price the better, there's no chance SONY repeats the crazy PS3 price point again btw I'm not complaining about high prices ideally it comes bundled with a game.
FrozenFlame
Member
I think people should stop buying avocado toasts if they can't afford consoles!
EverydayBeast
ChatShitGPT Alpha 0.001
I like low console prices.
Allnamestakenlol
Member
OP, do you ever complain about the price of something? Also, do you own a $1,000+ phone? Just curious.
DynamiteCop!
Banned
Not really and my phone is about $200 because there's really very little practical difference between a $200 phone and a $1,000 phone.
There would be a huge practical difference between a $400-$700 console.
#Phonepunk#
Banned
videogames are entirely luxury items. so yeah. i think people go overboard with the "consumer rights" schtick.
Trimesh
Banned
I think it's important mostly because if you launch too high then you get into the situation where a lot or potential customers won't get the machine and hence the potential market for the games is smaller and the developers are less likely to make games for it - which in turn results in less people buying it.
An excellent illustration of this dynamic at work was the PS3 - the sales only really started to take off after there had been some price cuts, which was also the reason that the 360 got such a substantial market position.
An excellent illustration of this dynamic at work was the PS3 - the sales only really started to take off after there had been some price cuts, which was also the reason that the 360 got such a substantial market position.
This. Consoles are mass market machines. If Sony and Microsoft can't deliver a next gen console at a mass market price, then the market simply is not ready for next gen consoles. To your point, I remember PS2 outselling the PS3/360 for awhile. It was only around 2008-2009 that the market actually seemed ready to go next gen.
diffusionx
Gold Member
People also don't see the $1000 price tag on their phone, they see a $40 a month or whatever charge on the bill they have to pay monthly anyway. Consoles aren't purchased that way.
What practical difference? A slightly higher resolution or higher graphical settings? That stuff doesn't matter. If it did, the PS2 would have been a failure.
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DynamiteCop!
Banned
Higher framerates, resolution, settings, feature set capabilities, everything would be better thus a huge practical difference in the on screen results.
diffusionx
Gold Member
Like I said, if that stuff mattered, the PS2 would have failed next to Cube and Xbox. Nobody will spend more money for a few more lines of resolution or whatever. It just doesn't move the needle. The only people who care are the sorts to post in forums like these.
sublimit
Banned
They are not ridiculous they are hypocrites.
99% of those who now say that the next consoles should cost 600$ are also those who will blame the platform holders for "arrogance" and "being out of touch with the market" if they release their consoles at such prices regardless if their hardware will more than justify its price.
99% of those who now say that the next consoles should cost 600$ are also those who will blame the platform holders for "arrogance" and "being out of touch with the market" if they release their consoles at such prices regardless if their hardware will more than justify its price.
Poordevil
Member
I am willing to put down $500 usd on a new Playstation without balking. More than that and I might sit tight with my Pro until the price drops, or for 1 or 2 compelling exclusives. On the other hand if it launches for $399 I would be very suspicious that it would be less than a premium upgrade. $500 is a chunk of change, but it is what I am willing to pay for a console that will take full advantage of my 4k TV and deliver premium entertainment for years.
I share your sentiments, 100%
And the sad part is; nowhere else in tech is this tolerated or even expected. From phones, to cars, to surveillance, to audio, to even PCs...no one expects it, but for some strange reason, when it comes to consoles people lose their shit and whine to no end. It's sickening!
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