RANT: Prices on STEAM for old games
polycounter lvl 18
So I finally caved in and registered a STEAM account...
The Red Orchestra deal (just 15 bucks) was just too sweet to miss
And I really plan on buying TeamFortress 2.
But what's up with the other prices for games on STEAM???
I do think that online distributed games should be cheaper anyways, but I do understand that publishers do not want that for new games, and I have come to accept that.
But what's up with the older games on Steam? Most of them seem about triple or double the price I have seen them in a regular store already!
Don't they want to sell them??? Really what kind of crap is that?
The Red Orchestra deal (just 15 bucks) was just too sweet to miss
And I really plan on buying TeamFortress 2.But what's up with the other prices for games on STEAM???
I do think that online distributed games should be cheaper anyways, but I do understand that publishers do not want that for new games, and I have come to accept that.
But what's up with the older games on Steam? Most of them seem about triple or double the price I have seen them in a regular store already!
Don't they want to sell them??? Really what kind of crap is that?
Replies
. those are conveniences i'm happy to pay for.
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And then when Valve closes its doors in the future, it's just a huge technology trap.
and given the robustness of steam now as a platform, here's hoping that when Valve does shut down, i won't be so backward looking as wanting to play all these old games from the 2000s. how will i explain to my children the lack of 4-D gravitronic force feedback?
but still more convenient than trying to dig out some cd from the labyrinth of old games in my house. if i can't find the CD at all, it's as good as lost.
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yeah--that's kiiiinda nice...but i like to have something physical in my hands. Some proof of 'this is mine!'. A box, a cd, a manual, a cool map. It's similar to my problem with audible.com and other similar services. It costs less for them to manufacture it, and we do GET less (maybe not less of a game, but less of a cost-per-unit-package, yes) so...why don't the prices carry over? Particularly for older games that no one cares about.
I understand the added costs of having a distribution system up and running nonstop--but I don't think they'd be doing it if it were more expensive then traditional publishing.
i'm behind your for games made 10 years+ ago about this issue.. the golden age of lovingly printed and illustrated manuals, possibly with some extra backstory for those inclined, or maybe a cloth map if you were buying an Ultima game... that was a magic time. the gaming equivalent of the LP records and their gigantic sleeves brimming with colorful art... but whereas with CDs we still get plenty of value-added joy out of having a physical disc and liner notes etc., i really don't think it holds true for games anymore. yes, i do enjoy picking up games at the store, but once i've installed the game (and installed the no-cd fix), i scarcely ever see the box or CD again unless i reinstall the game. i mean come on, the boxes are tiny and the manuals are purely vestigial these days.
ok all joking aside actually i think it's an interesting issue , because as with music CDs, there is no replacing physical media ever. i listen to most of my music digitally, but i also buy the albums physically because as you said, there's something nice about having it in their hands. especially when some bands/artists put together such wonderful packaging and art.
so if game publishers want to keep the consumers buying little boxes, they need to keep up with the value-adds. basically, collector's editions. like the upcoming bag+safety deposit tin/etc. with the deluxe GTA IV, which i think is genius. basic tiny game box with paper sleeve dvd? i'll definitely buy over Steam or likewise and save myself the trip. but once you actually offer something worthwhile, physically (oh, the collector's tins!), then you're back in business.