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[Beer Monkey]

...instead of $60? I'm talking North America, of course?

Like how Phantom Dust was priced at $20, not $50?

It has nothing to do with the QUALITY of the game, it has to do with the market. Of course anybody who loves a game feels it is worth "full" price, and I have friends who love Phantom Dust that it had the value of a $50 game. But the fact is, when you are seeking a wider audience, do you have to make a (regional) pricing decision that allows the game to have a chance?

 

[XiaNaphryz]

It worked for NFL 2K5!

 

[Tylahedras]

I don't know I just bought it for 30$ so take that for what you want.

 

[GitarooMan]

Game wasn't going to sell big no matter the price, it's a niche anime-style strategy RPG with no recognizable branding. Having said that, I just bought it for $30 (but that's only because I've been poor lately, in my past life I would have bought it right away).

This is the kind of game that has a distinct audience in the US that is in no way more than low 6 figure (~100-300k). I'm sure Sega knew that.

 

[Gravijah]

No.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Gah. Spelling mistake.

 

[Guled]

I don't think the game sales would have been twice as high if it was priced at 30

 

[sykoex]

Guys, Should Valkyria Chronicles been priced at $0.05? I just know it would have sold more if they did that.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

No, what kind of question is that? It's arguably the best current gen RPG. Why not launch Mass Effect or Madden or Bratz at 30?!?!?!?

 

[Beer Monkey]

I don't think the game sales would have been twice as high if it was priced at 30

Are there any games that you think would have had sales twice as high at a value price?

One thing I miss from last gen is the occasional value-priced retail title. I personally bought a ton of them. I don't think offering XBLA and PSN stuff at $5-$20 is a substitute.

 

[madara]

No more then Resident Evil 5 should have.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Are there any games that you think would have had sales twice as high at a value price?

One thing I miss from last gen is the occasional value-priced retail title. I personally bought a ton of them. I don't think offering XBLA and PSN stuff at $5-$20 is a substitute.

Yes it is. Look at stuff like SOCOM or GT5P for their pricing. PSN/LIVE content is more than an adequate sub. But the main point is VC is worth the price at 60, let alone 30.

 

[MikeE21286]

I don't know I just bought it for 30$ so take that for what you want.

same here, even after all the praise I waited for the price drop. I think it's just because I knew it would happen inevitably and there was so much else out at the time.

 

[Beer Monkey]

No, what kind of question is that?

The question is based on the complaining about bad sales at $60. There has been plenty.

Why not launch Mass Effect or Madden or Bratz at 30?!?!?!?

Because they are big fucking hits.

OK, conversely. Should Phantom Dust have been $50 last gen? Should Colin McRae? They both shipped at $19.99. Was that stupid? Like Valkyria, they were both very high quality.

same here, even after all the praise I waited for the price drop.

TONS of people at GAF, CAG, etc. posted about only buying it after a price cut. TONS. Maybe more than posted about buying it at launch.

 

[DuckRacer]

It worked for Banjo N&B and VP2!

 

[Mindlog]

No, what kind of question is that? It's arguably the best current gen RPG. Why not launch Mass Effect or Madden or Bratz at 30?!?!?!?

:sigh:

Yes, he was clearly indicting the quality of the title.


At least try and be... nevermind.

I don't believe a value prop would have changed the title's fortune much. As an example look at the value priced Project Sylpheed. Another take on a fairly niche genre (atm) that did not sell well despite being launched @ $40.

VP2/BK2 more good ones.

 

[Guled]

Are there any games that you think would have had sales twice as high at a value price?

One thing I miss from last gen is the occasional value-priced retail title. I personally bought a ton of them. I don't think offering XBLA and PSN stuff at $5-$20 is a substitute.

well if a game has low production value or is a port a lower price might increase profit, but VC was not a low production game. Also why isn't XBLA/PSN a substitute for budget games? its perfect place for them

 

[Redd]

Game wasn't going to sell big no matter the price, it's a niche anime-style strategy RPG with no recognizable branding.

This. Every time I try to explain VC to my friends they're just not interested even though I love the game.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Hey, it's not my fault some people here can't afford games at full price. Not my problem nor a valid excuse. We are mostly adults here who make money and should be able to buy full or bargain. I choose games I want when I want. Most of them are day 1 buys, at full price. PSN/LIVE or retail, it don't matter. I don't wait for price drops unless I ignore a game due to budget constraints or too many prominent games flooding at the time.

And because there's "less interest", that further drives the need to make up for budget by pricing it at the defacto 60

 

[Tylahedras]

same here, even after all the praise I waited for the price drop. I think it's just because I knew it would happen inevitably and there was so much else out at the time.

I dunno about you but I'm a cheap bastard who rarely if ever pays full price, so maybe I'm not the best person to judge this based on.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Also why isn't XBLA/PSN a substitute for budget games? its perfect place for them

Budget titles last gen were typically games with a full production budget that were marketed at a lower price in an attempt to reach a larger market. With a literal handful of exceptions, XBLA/PSN games are a completely different type of game, of a kind that didn't even exist last gen. What retail disc could I buy last gen that was like Braid? Any 2D Worms game for consoles? Anything like Pixeljunk Eden or Flower? These are small budget "indie" games that had no correlation back then. Yeah, there's a handful of stuff like Burnout on PSN, but that's the exception, not the rule. The current DD scene is a completely different market than last-gen's budget titles.

 

[Keikoku]

So many threads about this game... I'm playing this right now and I'm enjoying it, but this praise for it is getting annoying. It bombed, so what ? Lost Odyssey, TOV and many other good JRPGs knew the same fate this gen. Get over it fanboys.

 

[SnakeXs]

Cost wouldn't change people's shitty taste.

 

[Artadius]

I'm not at all trying to start a console war here, so please don't take it this way. I just wish they'd port this to 360. It's the only game I'm really interested in for the PS3 and I need a bit more than that to jump in.

I'd pay full price!

 

[Brofist]

No, they were right to get as many sales as they could at regular price.

You are assuming sales would have blown up at $30, but VC is just not that type of title.
They would have drawn in a few more initial sales from people that waited for the price drop, but that's about it. And those people that wanted it still bought it at $30, so what difference is it if those sales came day 1 or a few months later?

Seems more like the OP probably just doesn't want to have to wait for price drops for games he wants

 

[LiquidMetal14]

So many threads about this game... I'm playing this right now and I'm enjoying it, but this praise for it is getting annoying. It bombed, so what ? Lost Odyssey, TOV and many other good JRPGs knew the same fate this gen. Get over it fanboys.

Don't slant this thread with the "fanboy" angle.

 

[Defuser]

I'm not at all trying to start a console war here, so please don't take it this way. I just wish they'd port this to 360. It's the only game I'm really interested in for the PS3 and I need a bit more than that to jump in.

That's really unnecessary and doesn't contribute to the thread at all.

 

[Rahxephon91]

No the game is well worth $60.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Seems more like the OP probably just doesn't want to have to wait for price drops for games he wants

Nah, I've got such a backlog that it isn't really a factor. Sadly.

FYI, I own the game and I think it is worth $60. This is really a question about the market and absolutely nothing else.

 

[Artadius]

That's really unnecessary and doesn't contribute to the thread at all.

I edited to clarify my intent. Specifically that, from my perception, it seems like quite a value for $60 and I would be willing to pay that.

That being said, honestly, don't get your panties in a wad.

 

[MikeE21286]

I dunno about you but I'm a cheap bastard who rarely if ever pays full price, so maybe I'm not the best person to judge this based on.

I'm basically the same way.....although I will buy some games full price if I feel I "need" to have it day 1 (MGS4, Halo 3, etc....)

 

[androvsky]

...instead of $60? I'm talking North America, of course?

Like how Phantom Dust was priced at $20, not $50?

It has nothing to do with the QUALITY of the game, it has to do with the market. Of course anybody who loves a game feels it is worth "full" price, and I have friends who love Phantom Dust that it had the value of a $50 game. But the fact is, when you are seeking a wider audience, do you have to make a (regional) pricing decision that allows the game to have a chance?

No.


Maybe if they released it in a slightly less horrifically crowded month it would have done better, but it's a strategy game. A really good strategy game, but with an unknown IP it had an uphill battle no matter what.

 

[teepo]

the 60 dollar price tag should only be reserved for big budget releases. valkyria profile looks and feels like a last gen game sugar coated with some cheap next gen filters. maybe if the game looked and felt as fluid as its cgi, then yes, i wouldn't have felt ripped off.

 

[Keikoku]

Don't slant this thread with the "fanboy" angle.

Well that's it. A lot of games bombed this gen, particulary JRPGs, some of them were good (at least they didn't deserved this) but all this whining about Valkyria's sales is getting fucking ridiculous. I'm sure Sega doesn't care as much as you guys. Can't you just play the game and enjoy it ? It's not the first good game to bomb, neither it's the last. Face it.

I didn't see so much disappointment for LO or TOV sales, which were excellent JRPGs too. Maybe it's because both SEGA fanboys and sonyfans are angry about this.

 

[Mindlog]

Christ, the whole team is back together.

Perhaps the topic should be remade with another title.

"Was it worth it to value price.... Banjo Kazooie?"

A possibly constructive discussion could then take place.

 

[Beer Monkey]

the 60 dollar price tag should only be reserved for big budget releases. valkyria profile looks and feels like a last gen game sugar coated with some cheap next gen filters. maybe if the game looked and felt as fluid as its cgi, then yes, i wouldn't have felt ripped off.

Wow, I disagree with that 100%. On every single point.

 

[Guled]

Budget titles last gen were typically games with a full production budget that were marketed at a lower price in an attempt to reach a larger market. With a literal handful of exceptions, XBLA/PSN games are a completely different type of game, of a kind that didn't even exist last gen. What retail disc could I buy last gen that was like Braid? Any 2D Worms game for consoles? Anything like Pixeljunk Eden or Flower? These are small budget "indie" games that had no correlation back then. Yeah, there's a handful of stuff like Burnout on PSN, but that's the exception, not the rule. The current DD scene is a completely different market than last-gen's budget titles.

but there is nothing stopping developers from making budget games on psn, its a perfect place for them. Sony is embracing it and we are slowly starting to see 3rd party games head towards that direction. Whats the point of a studio making a game and releasing it in stores for 30$. Its just going to get a short time to make its sales since its self space is going to get swept up by the CoD's and Maddens. PSN/XBLA is a better place for budget games then in a store

 

[Volcynika]

the 60 dollar price tag should only be reserved for big budget releases. valkyria profile looks and feels like a last gen game sugar coated with some cheap next gen filters. maybe if the game looked and felt as fluid as its cgi, then yes, i wouldn't have felt ripped off.

I have no words.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Whats the point of a studio making a game and releasing it in stores for 30$.

Well, for one thing, the console makers have admitted this gen that around half of their consoles sold haven't been connected to the goddamn internet.

 

[Threi]

the 60 dollar price tag should only be reserved for big budget releases. valkyria profile looks and feels like a last gen game sugar coated with some cheap next gen filters. maybe if the game looked and felt as fluid as its cgi, then yes, i wouldn't have felt ripped off.

Actually I like this idea. I nominate you to be in charge of game pricing, and games you like can be priced for $100, while games I like are priced $20.


win-win

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

...instead of $60? I'm talking North America, of course?

Like how Phantom Dust was priced at $20, not $50?

It has nothing to do with the QUALITY of the game, it has to do with the market. Of course anybody who loves a game feels it is worth "full" price, and I have friends who love Phantom Dust that it had the value of a $50 game. But the fact is, when you are seeking a wider audience, do you have to make a (regional) pricing decision that allows the game to have a chance?

Didn't this game "bomb"? Either way maybe $50 or possibly $40, but at $30 it sounds a bit too cheap especially for a PS3 game.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Didn't this game "bomb"?

Bombing alone doesn't indicate a wrong decision. I could easily see Phantom Dust selling no more than 20-30% as many copies if it launched at $50.

 

[Kyoufu]

the 60 dollar price tag should only be reserved for big budget releases. valkyria profile looks and feels like a last gen game sugar coated with some cheap next gen filters. maybe if the game looked and felt as fluid as its cgi, then yes, i wouldn't have felt ripped off.

Worst post I've seen on GAF, congratulations.

 

[Azure J]

the 60 dollar price tag should only be reserved for big budget releases. valkyria profile looks and feels like a last gen game sugar coated with some cheap next gen filters. maybe if the game looked and felt as fluid as its cgi, then yes, i wouldn't have felt ripped off.

Epic troll attempt.

Meanwhile, I think it's great that it is priced so low now, because thanks to the price point and more people becoming conscious of the game, it is seeing a second wind of sorts. At this rate, as long as it sells well enough to warrant more from the IP, I'd say the pricing shouldn't really matter.

 

[Mindlog]

Actually I like this idea. I nominate you to be in charge of game pricing, and games you like can be priced for $100, while games I like are priced $20.


win-win

They're called CE's and there was a thread about them earlier today :]

 

[Keikoku]

the 60 dollar price tag should only be reserved for big budget releases. valkyria profile looks and feels like a last gen game sugar coated with some cheap next gen filters. maybe if the game looked and felt as fluid as its cgi, then yes, i wouldn't have felt ripped off.

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Chris R]

I probably would have bought day one at 30$, I'm waiting to find it near/at/under that price to grab it sometime in the future. (I know about the gamestop deal, mine wasn't doing it).

 

[DeadFalling]

Probably. All I know is you better not bring up Phantom Dust any more. It hurts to think we'll never get a sequel to it. One of my favorite games ever.

 

[Zhengi]

I think all console games should be priced at $30, but what do I know?

 

[ActionMan]

For the few people that bought it, it's easily been worth the full price.