Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
In past articles, we examined some of the unscrupulous
tactics of the Xbox Live Marketplace and the Playstation store. From charging
gamers to unlock content already on the disk to having downloadable content conveniently
ready before a title hits retail, players are becoming increasingly savvy of
these dodgy tactics.
So a question naturally arises- How much does one have to
pay for a full game, one that includes additional levels, modes, and maps.
Obviously, we can only speculate what was left on the cutting room to sneak a
few Lincolns from gamers. Additionally, we did not examine Rock Band nor Guitar
Hero, as even the most adamant fan, will probably not download very single song.
| Title | Average Price |
Cost of All Content | Content Price |
Total Price |
| Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation |
$59.99 | 2000 MS Points |
$25.00 | $84.99 |
| Godfather: The Game |
$29.99 | 800 MS Points |
$10.00 | $39.99 |
| Beautiful Katamari |
$39.99 | 800 MS Points |
$10.00 | $49.99 |
| Blue Dragon |
$39.99 | 600 MS Points |
$7.50 | $47.49 |
| Lumines Live! |
$10.00 | 1800 MS Points |
$22.50 | $32.50 |
| Chromehounds | $19.99 | 1760 MS Points |
$22.00 | $41.99 |
| Bomberman Live |
$10.00 | 700 MS Points |
$8.75 | $18.75 |
| Forza 2 |
$29.99 | 2150 MS Points |
$26.88 | $56.87 |
| Test Drive: Unlimited |
$29.99 | 2260 MS Points |
$28.25 | $58.24 |
| Stuntman: Ignition |
$29.99 | 1200 MS Points |
$15.00 | $44.99 |
| Worms | $10.00 | 450 MS Points |
$5.63 | $15.63 |
Obviously, gamers are not going to buy every plane, gun, and car available; Sony and Microsoft offer piece-meal approaches to additional content that consumers can opt out of. But then, players will never get to see, hear and play the complete experience created by the game’s designers.
However, when publishers deliberately pull content from a game, only to resell it back to the consumer in the form of a five-dollar downloads, something has to be done. Gamers should be aware of the price of the complete price of a game, downloads and all, so they can make intelligent purchasing decisions.
Imagine how expensive Ace Combat would be with the stick!!!!
It’s there a bunch of content for Armored Core 4, too?
But hey it could be argued that MS is a business, if you don’t like their tactics, don’t play- no ones forcing you. Of course, I hate the techniques, but I’m just playing the devils advocate.
You guys are cheap, always complaining about prices. Don’t you get free games? Stop yer whinin!
True that. I for one an tired for paying for thing I already own. It’s like paying for the DVD, then paying three bucks to unlock the bonus features.
Ever since someone came up with the bright idea for expansion packs, developers have been trying to find all kinds of others ways to squeeze even more money out of their consumers.
It sucks, but the reality is they do it because they know it will make them money.
People will pay for almost anything, even if they’re getting screwed in the process.
What about Halo 3 and Gears?
Rich G- I am cheap, this was an interesting article for me.
I remember when PC Game maker would release maps for free; just to promote people buying their games. Ah, those days are over.
Great article, I think people should know about the ‘real’ cost of the game; I spent over $90 on Oblivion, and while I enjoyed the main game, the DL content was a ripoff; full of bugs and crashes.
EA’s motto- it’s in the game.
EA’s Method- sell you stuff in said game.
Nice pic, I want that pic dolla sign.
Ace Combat 6 is the most expensive 360 game, then?
Most publishers are worse than strippers t bleeding money out of their customers.
They sit on your lap for a second, then charge you $20 for ‘more’, knowing you can’t say no.
Stripper smell better that the local Gamestore, though.
Stuntman content should have been included in price.
I think a fair compromise is paying for content when it’s first available, then making it free after 4 months. Like what they did with Halo 3.