Console gamers paying more

[placebo]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but it really pisses me off that console game prices are always higher than their PC counterpart. Just two recent examples: Joystiq notes a sale on the new Batman game at Amazon - $48 for consoles; $40 for PC.

Why the price difference?

New downloadable content for Left 4 Dead - free on PC; $7 for consoles.

Is there a legitimate reason I'm not aware of? I hate that this kind of crap gets pulled and no matter how much ink gets spilled about it (I did plenty of pontificating when I worked as a gaming journalist). It just seems so damn unjust.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I don't mind paying the extra $10 when I'm assured that:

There's no graphical/memory benchmark issues (the game looks and plays the same on all 360s, Wiis and PS3s respectively)

The rate of "hacking/modding/cheating" in online multiplayer is kept to an absolute minimum due to the policing of XBL, PSN and Wii by the respective bodies in charge of each service or game developer (though, it's understood that it's generally unavoidable even on consoles).

The cost of game consoles are generally hundreds less than high-end gaming computers and the marketplace life-cycle of those consoles is almost always longer.

[Richter Belmount]

Why do you think its cheaper on pc? Cause not everyone has a gaming rig to play these games so the console version is more convenient to the average consumer.

[tom]

Take Worms, back in the days a SNES game would be like $49, the Amiga game of same would be $25.00. Back then they blamed cartridge costs are higher, what's their excuse now?

[Overbite]

On the flipside ya got Modern Warfare 2 which is $60 on every system, including PC. And the PC doesn't get the collectors edition

[darkslime]

Remember that a PC game will be more in the long run, because a high end gaming PC costs more than a console from this gen.

[BetaWolf47]

Consoles generally get the games first, and PC gamers need some incentive not to pirate the games.

[jb143]

Development costs are higher on a console. For a PC, anyone can write and release a program for it. It's not quite that simple for a console. For example, you generally have to buy a pricey development system from the console manufacturer.

[roushimsx]

Licensing costs drive up the price of games on the newer consoles.

Also, shit is cheap. It's not as cheap as it was last generation, but I think everyone has pretty much forgotten just how expensive games were in the 16 bit era and early on in the 32bit era.

[garagesaleking!!]

this has nothing to do with the post per say, but also keep in mind that pc games rapidly drop in value much quicker than console games, so they get them cheaper but end up paying in the long run.

[Nionel]

I think everyone has pretty much forgotten just how expensive games were in the 16 bit era and early on in the 32bit era.

So true, I remember when Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy III for the SNES were brand new at TRU, if memory serves, both games were 74.99, not to mention the plethora of other SNES and even N64 games that were 59.99 or more.

[c0ldb33r]

Here in Canada, I remember $100+ SNES cartridges!

[Trebuken]

Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo all get $10 when a game is sold. Nobody has to license a PC game. I think that is the basic reason for the price difference.

I believe many games are developed on and for the PC simultaneous and the PC version is held back; not always true, but often I think.

[CDiablo]

PC games are cheaper because it gives incentive for people to buy it rather than boot methinks.

PC gaming is awesome, games release $10 cheaper usually and usually drop $10-20 in a month while the console game costs the same. The money saved on games over consoles can be used to upgrade your rig.

[whoisKeel]

People "buy" PC games? Proof please.

[swlovinist]

The Pro of having to spend $600 to $1500 on a PC gaming rig is that money can be saved on the games, not to mention push graphical limits pending on the setup.

I am not a modern PC gamer at all(minus Diablo) so I say good for those PC gamers, they deserve a break.

A gamer is gamer, no matter what you play

[boatofcar]

We definitely need more threads like this, as we don't discuss how expensive games are enough.

[j_factor]

There's no license required for a PC game. The end.

[ScourDX]

Not exactly. Mac games are more expensive than PC games. In some cases more expensive than the console games. I've seen the Call of Duty 4 for $75 on Mac. It could be licensing or fewer percentage of user playing games on Mac or both.

[garagesaleking!!]

mac games are hard to come by, i think thats all it is.