April 18, 2004

Gaming While Drunk: Price Descrimination

I hate working late on Saturdays because then I have a choice to make. Do I just enjoy my evening and play some games, or do I go back out to pick up some of the fine booze that makes these articles happen? If I don’t go out then I have to spend my Sundays dry because I live in a state that still loves its blue laws. Its not fair, I tell you.

This of course brings us to vodka. I do like vodka, and I make a mean White Russian. I usually buy Rain vodka, which tastes great, looks awesome in your minibar, and only costs $18 or so. I’ve told a lot of friends about Rain vodka and many of them have bought it and enjoyed it. Of course, a lot of them tell me that there’s no way they’re going to try a premium vodka that only costs $18. What does this have to do with videogames?

People are stupid, that’s what. We’re seeing more and more games come out a $39.99 price point, from NBA Ballers to Lifeline. This is a great thing, making games less expensive. So of course people hate it. When I’m scouring the game stores looking for something to play I overhear it constantly.

“Its not $50? What’s wrong with it?”

Nothing, you twit. You’re going to go home and bitch on the forums about how expensive games are and then when companies do something about it you’ll wonder what’s wrong with it. I’ve even had people assume Ballers was a budget title because of the price point!

The Xbox recently dropped its price point to $150, and with its harddrive, great graphics, and easy modding into a HTPC that’s the best bargain going right now. Of course, now people think the Xbox is failing since it slashed its price. They assume that the system is now the budget choice, and it makes them stay away.

This is some silly logic. Game companies and some Hardware companies are giving you exactly what you want and you hold it against them.

I have some advice for the makers of the next Deer Hunter game. Don’t price it low, make it $79.99. The consumer will think that it must be a great game, or else why it would it be MORE expensive? If you judge quality by price, why should you ever help their wallets?

Devs, the people have spoken. Make games more expensive, sell more copies. Its as easy as that. Me? I’m going to play Beyond Good and Evil, a game I bought for $20 that destroys anything else on the market right now.

-Written by Robert Keenan

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