What's with game prices?

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 25 April 2007 11:40

Your IT - Entertainment

Am I just cheap, or are games too expensive?

OK, so I am a cheapskate. Except for gifts, I can't remember the last time I bought a full-price CD or DVD - my usual haunts are the bargain bins. When I go to the movies, it's usually on a Tuesday when the tickets are cheaper.

But when a full-price game costs almost as much as a week's groceries for two people or a tank and a half of petrol (at post-Iraq prices), I have to question what's going on.

So there's no confusion, I should explain that I'm talking about 'regular' PC or console games, not MMOGs. I'm just not interested in something that takes a major and regular commitment of time to interact with other people online.

Have you noticed that the growth in MMOGs and virtual environments has come at a time when membership of hobby groups, sporting clubs and leagues, and service organisations is dropping because people don't have time and are unwilling to make a commitment? It seems paradoxical to me, but perhaps the international nature of the online world means MMOG players and Second Lifers know they can find someone to interact with when they get home from an irregular shift or several hours of unpaid overtime.

But I digress.

What games do I play most often? A freeware version of Tetris on my computer, and a freeware Sudoku on my phone. Both have great playability and a lasting appeal.

I've yet to see an Xbox or PlayStation game I'd bother with. Those I've tried don't seem to have advanced much over the game experience of ten or more years ago. Sure, the graphics are more detailed and far smoother (anyone remember Flight Simulator when it used a wireframe display?), but the games themselves seem no more engaging.

I'll explain what I think is wrong with most games and the factors that have led to high prices on the next page.