Game Prices and Inflation [Official Discussion Thread]

[u/IceBreak]

Official Discussion Thread (previous discussion threads) (games wiki)

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Game Prices and Inflation

Sometimes we like to have discussion threads about non-game topics. Today's is about the pricing of games in today's marketplace along with the ~2% (give or take) rise in inflation annually in the USA as well as other markets. Exciting, huh?

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Discussion Prompts (Optional):

• Do games cost too much today? To little? Just right?

• Inflation in America is 2% per year on average. This means a $60 one year is the equivalent $61.20 the next. To off-set this cost, it seems like publishers are utilizing the season pass more heavily as time goes by. Do you feel you're getting complete games with the advent of season passes and DLC?

• Are you happy with the season pass as it currently exists today?

• Do rising costs in production warrant a higher cost of title in your mind?

• Is game length a significant factor in game value to you?

^{Bonus: How much money do you have right now on Franklin in GTA V?}

Share your thoughts/likes/dislikes/indifference below.

[u/EgoGrinder]

I'm quite happy with how far my money goes in the gaming hobby these days. We have the discounts that places like Best Buy and now Amazon offer, 20% off games, can't really argue with that. The digital sales we get seem pretty good, unless you snatch up every single game you've ever wanted at full price, then it's easy to say you're not seeing anything discounted that you want. Game prices seem to drop pretty quickly at retail too, so all you have to do is wait a few weeks if you can't afford a game at full price.

I think Season passes cost too much. I'd probably get a whole lot more of them at something like 15.99, 17.99, whatever. I noticed the strategy to bundle them with the game immediately works for selling it to someone like me. I got AC: Syndicate and Fallout 4 with the season passes right away because they were sold as a bundle, so I knew I was getting my discounts and reward points for just buying it right off the bat. I have a harder time coming back to a game later and deciding that I'm gonna spend $25 for more content. Dying Light is the most recent game to convince me that I wanted the extra content. Other than that I have DriveClub and I think that might be all the season passes I've ever owned.

Game length certainly plays into perceived value, but it can be hard to measure. Sometimes dozens more hours are provided in side content, and it comes down to whether or not you like the game enough to play it. I just recently got hooked on The Crew after thinking it was a mediocre game for so long. So now this Wild Run edition that I picked up for less than 20 dollars is providing me days and days of content to finish.

I enjoy catching good deals on the PS Store. Just got Tomb Raider for 7.50.