Game prices

[Teagan]

An article about how much Vita games are going to cost (approximately) has just been posted at Kotaku. It's talking about the Japanese versions, since those are coming out first, but it's probably a good indicator of how much things will cost once they get over here.

According to Famitsu, Uncharted: Golden Abyss costs ¥5,980 for the cartridge version and ¥4,900 for the download version.

That's $78 and $63 respectively with the exchange rate. It's safeâ??although unconfirmedâ??to assume that the cartridge version will retail for $59, while the download version will cost $49.

First PlayStation Vita Games Priced

Kind of expensive for handheld games, don't you think?

 

[Zenon]

Whew, that is making me rethink buying a Vita! I really wish games were cheaper, in general, because I am really getting in trouble with my purchases.

 

[Sheebi]

Ouch! It would certainly make me think twice about buying that console. Why would you want a console where you can't afford the games? I don't know why they make them so expensive anyway! It's sick!

 

[Teagan]

It is kind of disappointing, especially since the Vita itself is so expensive. I suppose the high prices is what happens when you make a cutting-edge gaming system, though.

 

[MsKong]

So it's one of those yuppie-only games, huh? Sounds like it will be more like a status symbol than a game system that will become very popular with serious gamers who'd rather spend their money buying a few games for the same price for another system.

 

[Teagan]

So it's one of those yuppie-only games, huh? Sounds like it will be more like a status symbol than a game system that will become very popular with serious gamers who'd rather spend their money buying a few games for the same price for another system.

Well, the Vita itself is so expensive that it's sort of equivalent to what the iPad 1/iPhone/etc. was when they first came out. Techno-lovers will buy it first, since they don't care about money if they really want whatever it is they want. Then, hopefully, after a while the base price of the thing will come down so regular people can afford it, although it'll still be an expensive luxury (like the iPad 2).

 

[GamerGirl]

I'll stick with my homebrew enabled PSP in that case - at least until the prices drop significantly. I think that's crazy for a handheld game. I love new technology but I also love having a roof over my head and food in the fridge.

 

[GabbyGamer]

If they only want an elite group of customers, a pricing strategy like that will accomplish it. I guess we'll see, but I'm beginning to think that the Vita is going to become the Edsel in the world of gaming.

 

[Jenny]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge based on those prices. Those are for the Japanese versions of the games, correct? I don't think it's a fair judgment of what the other versions will cost.

 

[GabbyGamer]

Maybe you're right, Jenny. I do think the games are going to have to be cheaper than what is presumed for the Vita to have staying power. If they lower the prices from the Japanese versions, they'll probably more than make up for it with increased sales of games. And they are almost guaranteed to sell a lot more Vitas if the games are inexpensive.

 

[Jenny]

Yep, that's what I'm thinking Gabby. They aren't going to sell many consoles if the games are overpriced, especially with today's economy. There are so many consoles available I can't see why they would want to back themselves into a corner.

 

[S-gamer]

Well, I guess they will just have to lower the prices eventually. It's weird how they think that gamers are rich people who can afford having gaming as a hobby... The American stereotype for gamers is constituted by poor "geeky" people who can barely afford a game console, much less pay for expensive games...

 

[GabbyGamer]

Gamers are a passionate group and tend to make room in their budget, but only to a point. Maybe there's a method to their pricing madness. The higher initial price might just be a marketing ploy so that consumers will think it's worth more. Then, if and when the price comes down, everyone is ready to get a good deal.

 

[LittleSister]

Wow, no way I'd pay that much for a handheld game. Not when it's competing with Apps on my phone that I can get for a few bucks that do just as good a job of entertaining me.

 

[GabbyGamer]

Companies would be better off making games as affordable as possible which increases the number of people who play them and how often they play them. Then, they can make their money on volume and selling consoles. After all, the more someone plays, the more often they're going to need a new console.

 

[Aylinn]

I have to agree with everyone above about the prices being too high for the regular gamer's budget. This way, instead of purchasing several games, I have to choose just one or two. I don't quite understand what marketing strategy this is... It seems to me like they are aiming to have only a few rich customers instead of trying to attract everyone...

 

[mccanono]

Another minus points for me in buying planning to buy a Vita. X)
But if I get to stumble upon a pot of gold, I'll buy all the games available and share them with you guys.

But seriously speaking, isn't that a little bit too pricey for a portable console game? I would rather buy some HD games for iPad mini instead of spending more than 50 bucks for a single game.

 

[BlackSolaris]

Another minus points for me in buying planning to buy a Vita. X)
But if I get to stumble upon a pot of gold, I'll buy all the games available and share them with you guys.

But seriously speaking, isn't that a little bit too pricey for a portable console game? I would rather buy some HD games for iPad mini instead of spending more than 50 bucks for a single game.

You could at least notice the post date before saying that. Games nowadays are at $20 max.
Also, >buying HD games for iPad mini", could your taste be worse than mobile phone "gaming"?

 

[Esperahol]

I don't see the panic - even at the time. I mean games are generally very expensive - particularly new, but gamers will inevitably put out for them one way or another. Eh.

 

[corporatenoun]

That's rather unfortunate. For fully-fledged games to cost that much, I wouldn't want them to be handheld, I would want them to be on my television set. Hopefully this isn't a representation of average costs and just an example of an overpriced game.