Why do PC game prices drop so quick?
10-04-03, 06:44 AM
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Why do PC game prices drop so quick?
I dig PC games, but never buy them brand new because almost always they drop to $20 - $25 bucks or less within 6 months(maybe a little longer). Sure there are exceptions to the rule like the A+++ titles, but most games have a very short shelf life at their MSRP retail price. Why is this? Is this because of piracy(just say no kids) being so easy to do on a PC? I just don't get it. Meanwhile some console games thats are 2 years old are still selling at their MSRP. I mean its good for my wallet, but I'm just curious. Can somebody shed some light on this for me?
10-04-03, 10:22 AM
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It seems like before X-Box/PS2/GC (and maybe PS1), console game prices stayed high which PC games eventually dropped. But with the advent of the Greatest Hits collections (and their equivalents on each system), I'm seeing game prices drop pretty consistently, although still maybe not as quickly as PC games.
Stuff like Starsky & Hutch is the exception to the rule, though. Same with all the "value-priced" software on PC.
Originally posted by Jackskeleton
Hell, even some Console games come out at 20 bucks.
Just depends on the game and it's popularity.
Hell, even some Console games come out at 20 bucks.
Just depends on the game and it's popularity.
10-04-03, 11:02 AM
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Evil Dead was another that came out at 20 bucks. there is a lot of games that have a low production value I suppose and would rather blow away with a smaller mark up.
10-04-03, 06:11 PM
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Maybe they just don't sell that well. I remember RTX Red Rock coming out for $50..like 2 weeks later it was $20 and just last week it dropped to $10.
Dean
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10-04-03, 06:28 PM
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It definitely depends on the game/publisher.
There are some I have held off on purchasing that are still $49.99 after a spring release.
But another factor is the overall success of the game on the shelves. Buyers/category managers are concerned with moving product off the shelves and if a title is stagnant they will give the publisher three choices:
1) Offer a rebate on the game and keep it at full MSRP
2) Do a chargeback on every single item in stock and allow the chain to lower the price in every store (ex: credit BB $10 for all 18,000 units they have, allowing BB to then lower the MSRP to $39.99
3) If they don't want to do a chargeback, accept an RMA for a Return of the remaining inventory
Obviously titles that have sustained selling volition take much longer to get to this point.
There are some I have held off on purchasing that are still $49.99 after a spring release.
But another factor is the overall success of the game on the shelves. Buyers/category managers are concerned with moving product off the shelves and if a title is stagnant they will give the publisher three choices:
1) Offer a rebate on the game and keep it at full MSRP
2) Do a chargeback on every single item in stock and allow the chain to lower the price in every store (ex: credit BB $10 for all 18,000 units they have, allowing BB to then lower the MSRP to $39.99
3) If they don't want to do a chargeback, accept an RMA for a Return of the remaining inventory
Obviously titles that have sustained selling volition take much longer to get to this point.
10-04-03, 08:17 PM
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where do you shop? I am sick of seeing 2 year old games on sale at best buy for $40. They prey on the parents and other giftbuyers who don't know their real value.
10-04-03, 08:55 PM
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Originally posted by RoQuEr
where do you shop? I am sick of seeing 2 year old games on sale at best buy for $40. They prey on the parents and other giftbuyers who don't know their real value.
where do you shop? I am sick of seeing 2 year old games on sale at best buy for $40. They prey on the parents and other giftbuyers who don't know their real value.
10-04-03, 09:25 PM
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maybe most PC games don't sell as well? hell, most of the Gamestops around here stopped selling PC games entirely (except for the major major titles, the gamestop near me has halo, freedom fighters, the star wars games and that's really about it)
10-05-03, 01:24 PM
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Why PC game prices drop faster:
+ PC games can be copied... then eBayed, increasing supply
+ Can get many games free of KaZaa, etc...
+ PCs are alway upgrading... console don't... so PC games become obsolete/dated sooner
+ More PC titles come out... so PC games have a smaller "hot item" window
+ PC games can be copied... then eBayed, increasing supply
+ Can get many games free of KaZaa, etc...
+ PCs are alway upgrading... console don't... so PC games become obsolete/dated sooner
+ More PC titles come out... so PC games have a smaller "hot item" window
