Unrealistic Expectations?
On the most recent episode of DL.tv (Episode 74 if memory serves), Patrick Norton and Garnett Lee discuss video game pricing. This was in response to Microsoft pushing the envelope with a $60 standard for XB360 games, and Sony's subsequent announcement regarding their refusal at this time to commit to a price point. Lee then made the comment that "gaming" (we can expect he meant it in a sociological sense) will never catch on with the "mainstream" crowd if the price is driven much higher. I believe this is a bit myopic.
Average length of movie: Ninety minutes
Average cost of movie: $20
Cost per minute of entertainment: $0.22
Average length of game: Ten hours
Average cost of game: $50
Cost per minute of entertainment: $0.08
Video games are already a cheaper form of entertainment based purely on cost per minute. These figures are usually startling to people who have never considered it. But for video games to be fairly priced in comparison to movies, they would need to cost approximately $132.00 per title. Folks, we're getting a bargain. I'd go so far as to say, an unfair bargain.
This isn't even beginning to address the fact that every time you play through a game, every subtle variance in your play style renders a unique experience. That just isn't so with a movie. Movies render a single unique, non-interactive experience, and there after, any repeat viewings are made completely out of novelty.
Would I pay one hundred and thirty two dollars for a video game? The honest answer is, it depends on the video game. But if we want to see any true innovation, we're going to have to get rid of this "one size fits all" ideology for video game pricing.
All cars are not priced in the same brackets. Also, all cars are not equal. You can buy a brand new Ford Taurus for under $15,000. However, a brand new Saleen S7 Twin Turbo is... substantially more expensive.
This is because the Automotive Industry, like every other industry, has acknowledged the theory of variable price brackets. People are willing to pay more for a Premium Product.
Would I pay one hundred and thirty two dollars for a single game? Show me a game worth one hundred and thirty two dollars, a game worthy of being called a Premium Product, and we'll see.
Average length of movie: Ninety minutes
Average cost of movie: $20
Cost per minute of entertainment: $0.22
Average length of game: Ten hours
Average cost of game: $50
Cost per minute of entertainment: $0.08
Video games are already a cheaper form of entertainment based purely on cost per minute. These figures are usually startling to people who have never considered it. But for video games to be fairly priced in comparison to movies, they would need to cost approximately $132.00 per title. Folks, we're getting a bargain. I'd go so far as to say, an unfair bargain.
This isn't even beginning to address the fact that every time you play through a game, every subtle variance in your play style renders a unique experience. That just isn't so with a movie. Movies render a single unique, non-interactive experience, and there after, any repeat viewings are made completely out of novelty.
Would I pay one hundred and thirty two dollars for a video game? The honest answer is, it depends on the video game. But if we want to see any true innovation, we're going to have to get rid of this "one size fits all" ideology for video game pricing.
All cars are not priced in the same brackets. Also, all cars are not equal. You can buy a brand new Ford Taurus for under $15,000. However, a brand new Saleen S7 Twin Turbo is... substantially more expensive.
This is because the Automotive Industry, like every other industry, has acknowledged the theory of variable price brackets. People are willing to pay more for a Premium Product.
Would I pay one hundred and thirty two dollars for a single game? Show me a game worth one hundred and thirty two dollars, a game worthy of being called a Premium Product, and we'll see.