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[confused]

This is honestly the first time I've seen someone defend regional price gouging, though that probably stems from him wanting to defend EA.

I'm not defending the pricegouging. That's wrong. I'm saying EA is being singled out as if they are solely to blame for $100 games. While I have seen ut mentioned many a times that games cost 90-100 in AUS.

 

[Echoplx]

Trackmania 2 isnt going to be on steam, its going to be on its own DD service.

Ask me if I give a fuck.


Day 1, who cares.

That really is taking it too far, a store far a particular series of games (mania) is just fucking stupid.

 

[Durante]

This is honestly the first time I've seen someone defend regional price gouging, though that probably stems from him wanting to defend EA.

I hope you don't mean me. There are few things in gaming I abhor more. I just pointed out that it's at least as easy to circumvent regional pricing on Origin as it is on Steam.

Also, it's not like Valve doesn't do regional pricing for their own games, so I wonder why this is even being discussed. (http://www.steamprices.com/eu/app/620/portal-2)

 

[Salacious Crumb]

Then they wouldn't have added and expanded it would they.

I mean importing, not registering the game on origin, I doubt there's much the can do to discern which region the game was sold in after I've bout it legally.

 

[confused]

EA is causing the price of their games to be $100 on DD services, there is no denying that.

If the game is $100 at retail, why should they sell it for less on their DD platform ?

I mean importing, not registering the game on origin, I doubt there's much the can do to discern which region the game was sold in after I've bout it legally.

I'm sure it's pretty easy. Steam does it on occassion. All they need to do is change keys to reflect region

 

[Salacious Crumb]

Competition = better price, services, and quality..

If there is one thing we need, is even more DD clients.

EA has proven that isn't the case.

 

[pieatorium]

I'm not defending the pricegouging. That's wrong. I'm saying EA is being singled out as if they are solely to blame for $100 games. While I have seen ut mentioned many a times that games cost 90-100 in AUS.

They aren't being singeld out, other companies have been brought up like Take Two this thread has a focus on origin though so it would be strange if it wasn't mentioned alot

If the game is $100 at retail, why should they sell it for less on their DD platform ?

The game shouldn't be $100 at retail either but even then maybe they should be cheaper because they don't have to pay for any manufacturing/liscencing/distibution.

 

[hamchan]

I'm not defending the pricegouging. That's wrong. I'm saying EA is being singled out as if they are solely to blame for $100 games. While I have seen ut mentioned many a times that games cost 90-100 in AUS.

Oh ok then. EA is being singled out because they are the biggest and easiest target, they just rebranded the store and are trying to make it big.

We could easily put all the other publishers on blast too but for now EA and Origin are the focus.

 

[legend166]

If the game is $100 at retail, why should they sell it for less on their DD platform ?

The $100 price is a relic of when the Australian dollar sat between 50-70c US. It has absolutely no reason to exist today when selling digital products. The only reason it exists is publishers say "they've paid it before, so they can keep paying it" even though their profit on that $100 would have increased dramatically because instead of getting around $60-70US, they're now getting $100US because of the exchange rate.

And we're talking about digital products here. It costs EA (or Take Two, or which ever other knob head publisher decides price gouge) no extra to sell a game in Australia than it does in the US via digital distribution. It's a global market place. The $100 price is a relic of the past and it's not at all unreasonable for people to be angry that publishers are trying to cling to it in the digital age.

 

[confused]

They aren't being singeld out, other companies have been brought up like Take Two this thread has a focus on origin though so it would be strange if it wasn't mentioned alot



The game shouldn't be $100 at retail either but even then maybe they should be cheaper because they don't have to pay for any manufacturing/liscencing/distibution.

The rest of the world doesn't have cheaper DD than retail, why should you ?

The $100 price is a relic of when the Australian dollar sat between 50-70c US. It has absolutely no reason to exist today when selling digital products. The only reason it exists is publishers say "they've paid it before, so they can keep paying it" even though their profit on that $100 would have increased dramatically because instead of getting around $60-70US, they're now getting $100US because of the exchange rate.

And we're talking about digital products here. It costs EA (or Take Two, or which ever other knob head publisher decides price gouge) no extra to sell a game in Australia than it does in the US via digital distribution. It's a global market place. The $100 price is a relic of the past and it's not at all unreasonable for people to be angry that publishers are trying to cling to it in the digital age.

But then they'd have a problem with retailers in Australia because the games are cheaper on Origin than in stores. And once again, what makes it different than Europe ? We pay the equivalent of $ 85 here.

And it's not a global marketplace until local retail is dead.

 

[Derrick01]

That really is taking it too far, a store far a particular series of games (mania) is just fucking stupid.

This is the stupidity of the future that we're going to face unfortunately. Every publisher/developer will think they can do this, not realizing that EA only has even a chance because of their large portfolio.

 

[Salacious Crumb]

The rest of the world doesn't have cheaper DD than retail, why should you ?

How many other countries that are as developed as the US are paying 30-50 USD more than the US for games?

 

[Durante]

This is the stupidity of the future that we're going to face unfortunately. Every publisher/developer will think they can do this, not realizing that EA only has even a chance because of their large portfolio.

Actually, every developer selling their own games and directly gaining 100% of the profits is an absolutely ideal state.

Then we just need a free software framework managed by a non-profit organisation for handling all the friends/chat/voice/achievement stuff and we're set for a truly open yet unified platform which is ideal for gamers and developers both. Publishers can focus on funding and advertisement or just die I don't care.

 

[pieatorium]

The rest of the world doesn't have cheaper DD than retail, why should you ?



But then they'd have a problem with retailers in Australia because the games are cheaper on Origin than in stores. And once again, what makes it different than Europe ? We pay the equivalent of $ 85 here,

We should have cheaper games in general not just DD and I would say from your post the difference between EU and AUS is about $15.

 

[confused]

How many other countries that are as developed as the US are paying 30-50 USD more than the US for games?

I mentioned it about 5 times now, but try all of europe. That's 20+ countries for you.

We should have cheaper games in general not just DD and I would say from your post the difference between EU and AUS is about $15.

That's the catch though. Retail isn't willing to drop, and publishers can't mess with retail, so prices aren't going to change much.

 

[pieatorium]

I mentioned it about 5 times now, but try all of europe. That's 20+ countries for you.

Doesn't alot of europe get retial prices less than $50 US?

 

[Durante]

Doesn't alot of europe get retial prices less than $50 US?

Most of western and central Europe gets 1€ = 1USD pricing.

 

[confused]

Doesn't alot of europe get retial prices less than $50 US?

RRP is 50-60 euros which is 75-85

 

[hamchan]

Importing Skyrim from the UK is costing me $45 AU.

 

[pieatorium]

RRP is 50-60 euros which is 75-85

how many actually sell at RRP? I usually see alot of UK guys talking about the amazing Day 1 deals and in another thread a Polish? i think guy was complaining that Valve games were $50 US on steam because retail was alot cheaper.

 

[Durante]

Importing Skyrim from the UK is costing me $45 AU.

I think at this point importing retail from the UK must be cheapest for almost everyone anywhere in the world. I recently ordered Deus Ex 3 for 25€.

 

[confused]

how many actually sell at RRP? I usually see alot of UK guys talking about the amazing Day 1 deals and in another thread a Polish? i think guy was complaining that Valve games were $50 US on steam because retail was alot cheaper.

UK is totally different from the rest of Europe as most stuff sold there is shipped from outside of Europe. Poland doesn't count because they barely have an economy. In the rest of Europe games actually sell for RRP for quite a while.

Except for EA who drops everything after 3 months

 

[Salacious Crumb]

I mentioned it about 5 times now, but try all of europe. That's 20+ countries for you.

Publishers thinking 1 Euro = 1USD is shit and you should also be annoyed, I really don't know why you aren't, but it is worse in Australia. For instance Skyrim is 90USD on steam here, while it's 50 Euro or the equivalent of 70USD over there.

I've also heard that retail is often cheaper than steam in the EU.

RRP is 50-60 euros which is 75-85

Retail here is 100-120 which is 103-123.70 USD

 

[legend166]

The rest of the world doesn't have cheaper DD than retail, why should you ?



But then they'd have a problem with retailers in Australia because the games are cheaper on Origin than in stores. And once again, what makes it different than Europe ? We pay the equivalent of $ 85 here.

And it's not a global marketplace until local retail is dead.

The chances of local retail in Australia having any power at all over digital distribution pricing is incredibly small. Considering it differs on a publisher by publisher basis, I'm more than willing to simply blame the greedy publishers than lay it at the feet of retailers.

Stop giving these people a way out. It's pathetic.

 

[confused]

Publishers thinking 1 Euro = 1USD is shit and you should also be annoyed, I really don't know why you aren't, but it is worse in Australia. For instance Skyrim is 90USD on steam here, while it's 50 Euro or the equivalent of 70USD over there.

I've also heard that retail is often cheaper than steam in the EU.




Retail here is 100-120 which is 103-123.70 USD

So how is EA bad for offering Mass effect 3 for a price that is in line with your region ? I'm not talking difference between dollars and euros. I'm talking about the local price in Australia.
don't look at what it costs halfway across the globe but nationally

The chances of local retail in Australia having any power at all over digital distribution pricing is incredibly small. Considering it differs on a publisher by publisher basis, I'm more than willing to simply blame the greedy publishers than lay it at the feet of retailers.

Stop giving these people a way out. It's pathetic.

You'd be surprised what publishers do to keep their games stocked at retail, that includes adjusting DD pricing. Sony even sent a system out to die to appease retailers.

Don't you find it strange that with the advent of DD not one single publisher (not even Valve) Sell their games cheaper at DD than at retail.

 

[(._.)]

Everybody will forget about all this DD vs DD shit when BF3 drops this November.

 

[legend166]

So how is EA bad for offering Mass effect 3 for a price that is in line with your region ? I'm not talking difference between dollars and euros. I'm talking about the local price in Australia.
don't look at what it costs halfway across the globe but nationally

Why should I? It's entirely arbitrary.

I'm downloading the exact same product as someone in Podunk, Iowa. Heck, judging from the download speeds we get sometime, we could be downloading from the same server. Why should I pay an extra 100% for no other reason than where I live?

Stop justifying the unjustifiable.

 

[pieatorium]

So how is EA bad for offering Mass effect 3 for a price that is in line with your region ? I'm not talking difference between dollars and euros. I'm talking about the local price in Australia.
don't look at what it costs halfway across the globe but nationally

But the thing is that I will buy these games internationally and save $100 of dollars a year. I would just prefer the convenience of not having to.

 

[Slavik81]

Uh, I know that? I dislike all companies who practice regional price gouging. I dislike that Valve allow that practice.

You're really upset that they'd sell games to people in poorer nations at lower prices than people in richer ones?

Regional pricing is not all bad.

 

[legend166]

You'd be surprised what publishers do to keep their games stocked at retail, that includes adjusting DD pricing. Sony even sent a system out to die to appease retailers.

Don't you find it strange that with the advent of DD not one single publisher (not even Valve) Sell their games cheaper at DD than at retail.

None of that has anything to do with the pricing of digital PC products in Australia. PC retail in Australia is practically dead. It doesn't matter what Sony do. It doesn't even matter what publishers do in response to American retailers. None of that has anything to do with regional price gouging.

 

[markot]

Most big retail stores dont stock pc games at all these days in Australia. Well, maybe the Sims.

Steam has saved our lives. LITERALLY!

 

[confused]

Why should I? It's entirely arbitrary.

I'm downloading the exact same product as someone in Podunk, Iowa. Heck, judging from the download speeds we get sometime, we could be downloading from the same server. Why should I pay an extra 100% for no other reason than where I live?

Stop justifying the unjustifiable.

Because companies don't compete with themselves over different markets and they never will. Regional prices are set because that's what the publisher feels is a reasonable/profitable price for their product. They have different costs associated with different regions.

 

[legend166]

You're really upset that they'd sell games to people in poorer nations at lower prices than people in richer ones?

Regional pricing is not all bad.

Australia is richer than America?

I'm talking about regional price gouging. Key word, gouging. I understand why they sell games for $15 in Russia. 95% piracy and widespread poverty will do that.

We're comparing prices between two developed western nations.

 

[pieatorium]

Because companies don't compete with themselves over different markets and they never will. Regional prices are set because that's what the publisher feels is a reasonable/profitable price for their product. They have different costs associated with different regions.

There is no way that it costs the publishers $50-$60 more to sell a game in Australia.

 

[markot]

Because companies don't compete with themselves over different markets and they never will. Regional prices are set because that's what the publisher feels is a reasonable/profitable price for their product. They have different costs associated with different regions.

There is no additional cost in DD though. They dont get charged on how far away the downloader is, do they? Hell, in Australia, lots of the ISPs let you download content from steam for free/unmetered because they host it locally. (We have caps and crap)

 

[Himajin]

EA Origin's regional pricing here in Japan amounts to nothing more than gouging. Battlefield 3 is USD$85. They're crazy if they think I'll go out of my way to pay more for games.

 

[legend166]

Because companies don't compete with themselves over different markets and they never will. Regional prices are set because that's what the publisher feels is a reasonable/profitable price for their product. They have different costs associated with different regions.

No they don't! Not with digital products. That's literally the entire point.

 

[confused]

There is no way that it costs the publishers $50-$60 more to sell a game in Australia.

There is no additional cost in DD though. They dont get charged on how far away the downloader is, do they? Hell, in Australia, lots of the ISPs let you download content from steam for free/unmetered because they host it locally. (We have caps and crap)

I agree, but you honestly expect these publishers to say " You know what, we've been screwing Australia for years. Let's drop the prices of all our games by 50%

Also, do you guys walk into a grocery store and get pissed of because Americans only pay 12 cents for a can of Coke while you pay a buck ?

No they don't! Not with digital products. That's literally the entire point.

And my entire point is that publishers aren't going to drop their games by 50% because your currency went up.

 

[Fredescu]

I agree, but you honestly expect these publishers to say " You know what, we've been screwing Australia for years. Let's drop the prices of all our games by 50%

The retail sector is dying in the arse here, with profit forecast adjustments across the board. So, uh, yes. I would expect them to attempt to compete with overseas online stores, or die trying.

 

[markot]

But coke cans are physical products, they have to be shipped, they have to build the factory... etc... they have a whole set up in Australia with different costs and margins.

If I could buy coke from the US and download it through the internets... no, I would not pay (Much) more than you guys do, especially when I have to pay for the damn bandwidth myself >.<

 

[confused]

The retail sector is dying in the arse here, with profit forecast adjustments across the board. So, uh, yes. I would expect them to attempt to compete with overseas online stores, or die trying.

That's retailers. Publishers don't give a shit if they die. Publishers aren't going to give up their profits to save them, either.

But coke cans are physical products, they have to be shipped, they have to build the factory... etc... they have a whole set up in Australia with different costs and margins.

If I could buy coke from the US and download it through the internets... no, I would not pay (Much) more than you guys do, especially when I have to pay for the damn bandwidth myself >.<

Yet you guys are complaining about physical media of games being more expensive and that you are being gouged. Are you not being gouged for that can of Coke in the same way ?

 

[Salacious Crumb]

And my entire point is that publishers aren't going to drop their games by 50% because your currency went up.

All retail in Australia is dying because of this attitude, everyone is going online to buy things for a third of the price it costs locally. Something has to give and I doubt it'll be our dollar dropping.

Someone selling a game here for 100% more than they would in the US while it costs them no more to sell it here is just a little hard to swallow.

 

[hamchan]

I agree, but you honestly expect these publishers to say " You know what, we've been screwing Australia for years. Let's drop the prices of all our games by 50%

Also, do you guys walk into a grocery store and get pissed of because Americans only pay 12 cents for a can of Coke while you pay a buck ?

And my entire point is that publishers aren't going to drop their games by 50% because your currency went up.

So..... essentially you agree with us that publishers are screwing us over but that it's unreasonable for us to expect them to drop their prices? We already know this and you don't need to tell us, that's why a lot of us import games or get it gifted. Hopefully the large drop off in local sales will force some hands.

 

[confused]

Retail in Australia is dying because of this attitude, everyone is going online to buy things for a third of the price it costs locally. Something has to give and I doubt it'll be our dollar dropping.

Someone selling a game here for 100% more than they would in the US while it costs them no more to sell it here is just a little hard to swallow.

Keep doing that and your dollar will drop soon enough

So..... essentially you agree with us that publishers are screwing us over but that it's unreasonable for us to expect them to drop their prices? We already know this and you don't need to tell us, that's why a lot of us import games or get it gifted. Hopefully the large drop off in local sales will force some hands.

I agree with you that publishers are asking a very high price, yes. The large drop off in local sales will kill your dollar dead and then the problem is solved, no?

 

[markot]

That's retailers. Publishers don't give a shit if they die. Publishers aren't going to give up their profits to save them, either.



Yet you guys are complaining about physical media of games being more expensive and that you are being gouged. Are you not being gouged for that can of Coke in the same way ?

Well, I wasnt complaining about physical media >.< It is a rip off though, mainly because when the aussie dollar goes up their prices do not go down, and mostly they are just shipped from europe with a new cover.

 

[eastmen]

I don't really see the problems with multiple services. its just like the console space. Steam is ahead in features for sure but it doesn't mean the others can't catch up ;

 

[kevinski]

PC gaming isn't very well represented in stores anymore, nor was it particularly well represented prior to Steam really catching on, in my opinion. I don't see a problem with there being multiple digital distribution services as long as the games purchased on each are compatible in terms of online play with copies purchased from other sources. I do, however, have an issue with Origin, as I feel that it'll ultimately exist for the wrong reasons. There are clear benefits to using Steam, and there's no good reason for EA to not offer all of its games on Steam. The problem, however, is that EA is greedy and has only its own interests in mind in its approach to Origin.

 

[Gaming4Lyfe]

Seeing as Origin will only host EA games and Steam will host nearly everything else I don't see how it would be a civil war.

If all devs/pubs started up their own stores and fractured DD services then I'm not sure how I would feel about that. Not a huge fan of needing endless number of accounts for games.

This is why I am in favor of Console games now. You never need a login code for that

 

[confused]

This is why I am in favor of Console games now. You never need a login code for that

You must've missed XBLA/PSN then ?

 

[Gaming4Lyfe]

There is no way that it costs the publishers $50-$60 more to sell a game in Australia.

I totally agree with you. A lot ripping off going on. Consumers have to careful with their wallets