Best Australian PlayStation 3 Community, News, Games, Videos, Competitions, and Forums. DMC 4, MGS 4, Grand Theft Auto IV, Devil May Cry 4, Metal Gear Solid 4, Silent Hill 5, Call of Duty 4, Gran Turismo 5, COD4, and More!

PS3 Games \ [Discussion] The high price of games in Australia.

valeroso
Kudos: 1,005
Mates: 36
Last week, ABC’s popular weekly videogame show, Good Game aired an episode which features an informative industry review of expensive prices of games in Australia as compared to overseas markets. The following link contains the video discussing this topic.

www.abc.net.au/

Brief Introduction:
Have you wondered why the price of a game costs so much more here in Australia than it does in other countries? Same product, massively different price. Why? The exchange rate has often been blamed for the inflated Aussie prices, yet despite the bullish Australian dollar surging on the greenback, game prices remain high.

Good Game Poll result: (7:39AM - 08/04/08)


Good Game airs on:

ABC1 - Friday nights after Triple J TV
ABC2 - Monday 9pm
1 days ago
Bris Vegas
skua
Kudos: 8,786
Mates: 127
really good info. we are paying too much for games! our economy has changed, cant we go back to the good old $50 mark?
1 days ago
Hells Kitchen
zyxses
Kudos: 1,324
Mates: 91
Games.PS3s et al should be no more than 5 - 10% dearer than the US...that's the percentage difference between the two currencies. Instead we pay 40 - 50% more??? This despite the fact Australia is CLOSER to the territories where these items are manufactured. US PS3 $399, in Aus. $699...??? thats A LOT MORE than any difference in the value of the dollar. It pisses me off that a $2000. Bravia costs $1000 in the US! Can't help but think Australia and Europe are subsiding America...?
1 days ago
adelaide sa
valeroso
Kudos: 1,005
Mates: 36
It seems that the only reasons why the prices of games in Australia are so high is because firstly, they can get away with it, and secondly, because Australian gamers are prepared to pay for it. So ultimately, as consumers, we potentially have the power to change this and hopefully lower the prices of games considerably.

skua said: really good info. we are paying too much for games! our economy has changed, cant we go back to the good old $50 mark?



Man wouldn’t that be nice eh? But unfortunately the price trend seems to be going up. Just take GTA IV for example; it's currently priced $119.95 at EB, when awhile ago top new release next-gen games were around $5-20 less and even more than that in some cases.

To Zyxses:

Yeah, I agree with what you said, and to some extent it is legalized robbery, and not just with that but many other things as well, I mean just think about the price of software these days.
1 days ago
Bris Vegas
Gaetano
Kudos: 1,501
Mates: 42
I believe it's the publishers fault, not the retailers. From what I understand, places like EB Games etc., only make a few $$$$ profit on each game sold, meaning they buy them for not that much off the retail price from publishers.
1 days ago
Melbourne
valeroso
Kudos: 1,005
Mates: 36

Gaetano said: I believe it's the publishers fault, not the retailers. From what I understand, places like EB Games etc., only make a few $$$$ profit on each game sold, meaning they buy them for not that much off the retail price from publishers.



Yeah you're right, it's the publishers who determine the prices based on market trends and the maximum limit they can get away with. And basically if a game is being highly anticipated, then publishers usually smack on extra dollars just because they can and consumers will still be willing to pay for it.
1 days ago
Bris Vegas
Vinzor
Kudos: 6,495
Mates: 54
LOL @ What.... people pay money for games?!!!!
1 days ago
c.walk'r
mateo1
Kudos: 10,578
Mates: 128
i was one of the 11% who voted on that poll
1 days ago
Brisbane, QLD {PSN = aimar120}
adumicic
Kudos: 29
Mates: 3
I'm not sure places like EB make that little from game sales. I haven't paid more than $100 for a game in a long time due to price matching, generally I'll pay 80-100 (RRP's $100-$120). Still, considering you can import full price games from the US, pay for a 2 day international courier and still only pay around $70-80 for a game, there's clearly something wrong.
23 hours ago
Melbourne, Victoria
texinick
Kudos: 459
Mates: 20
Publishers will often claim that games cost more outside the US because of the conversions required to the PAL format, which obviously required extra resources, and was usually responsible for the delays.

I don't know whether this still applies or not, but regardless, the difference in game prices is too much.

I don't know whether anything will ever change with prices, if we vote with our wallets, and opt to stop buying games, choosing to rent them, or whatever, then they could put the prices up. Buy more, and they will assume the price is good.

You could try a mass approach, write to the companies on behalf of the MyMedia group of sites (I assume there are a fair few members) stating that all the members refuse to buy any more games until the price is brought in line with US prices... I don't know how many members would be prepared to go without their games to get the point across. Doing this publicly, including notifying papers, may well get enough publicity to put the point across, and maybe further backing from non-MyMedia people. Either way, it would raise the awareness of the MyMedia sites too, which = more advertising! :^)
23 hours ago
Dorrigo, NSW
Cherrona
Kudos: 12,256
Mates: 174
Texinick, instead of refusing to buy games at all, what about just importing? Even with postage it's usually cheaper.
I know some people have said that those sales would be counted towards that countries total, but the people who keep an eye on the sales aren't stupid, and would probably figure out that some of the sales are imports/exports.

Anyway, I usually try to wait for a game to go down in price before I buy. It's a long wait, but I've got other things to keep me happy.
22 hours ago
Silent Hill -The fear of blood tends to create fear for the flesh
texinick
Kudos: 459
Mates: 20

adumicic said: I'm not sure places like EB make that little from game sales. I haven't paid more than $100 for a game in a long time due to price matching, generally I'll pay 80-100 (RRP's $100-$120). Still, considering you can import full price games from the US, pay for a 2 day international courier and still only pay around $70-80 for a game, there's clearly something wrong.



Just take a look at how much Big W, Target & KMart have there games for sale for... that'll show you how much EB Games are making. When you buy those games on sale at Big W, they'll probably only make a dollar or so on each game sold, relying on the customer buying other things in the shop. EB Games, however, will charge the RRP, and in many cases, will resell Pre-Owned games above the wholesale price too. Call Of Duty 4 RRP is $119.95. Wholesale price, which will vary between retailers, is about $93/$94
22 hours ago
Dorrigo, NSW
texinick
Kudos: 459
Mates: 20

Cherrona said: Texinick, instead of refusing to buy games at all, what about just importing? Even with postage it's usually cheaper.

I know some people have said that those sales would be counted towards that countries total, but the people who keep an eye on the sales aren't stupid, and would probably figure out that some of the sales are imports/exports.

Anyway, I usually try to wait for a game to go down in price before I buy. It's a long wait, but I've got other things to keep me happy.



I think I mentioned that idea somewhere else Cherrona, but the downside is that the company, EA for example, wouldn't give a stuff. They are still selling there games at the US price, which is obviously all that matters to them, and ultimately doesn't do anything for gamers herein Australia. If people stopped buying EA games, and they were made aware that it was in protest at the exorbitant prices here, than maybe they'd start listening, because sales would be down in Australia AND overseas.
22 hours ago
Dorrigo, NSW
dsreaper
Kudos: 1,813
Mates: 38
The problem is that games so much money as it is, they don't need to cut prices to increase sales.
As long as that's the case it wont change:

"The Australian games industry grossed more than cinema box office takings in 2006–07 , with over one billion dollars in revenue". - QANTM

I'll always import from places like play-asia or ebay, I agree with you all and hate the cost of Aussie games. Only time I buy here is I can't wait or a sale.
I'd like to know exactly why they cost so much more, not just "oh I heard its..." I want a rep from a company to make a damn statement!
22 hours ago
Gold Coast, Australia
callan5
Kudos: 24,231
Mates: 425
I agree that the price of games in Australia should be cut down, the price you pay for games these days is incredibly steep, i've payed over $1000 on my PS3 games and i only own 12 of them, most of these titles cost $120, i could shop else where, but what the hell, im inpatient It really is a swift kick in the face when you see most other countries with game prices almost half cheaper than what we have to pay, but thats life and thats our currency. :o
17 hours ago
Outside Perth W.A, over those green mountains, Milkin the cows with Mandy.
jason_rhcp
Kudos: 1,273
Mates: 385
i always try find the best prices only 1 of my games was 99 bucks
the rest i found cheap for 80 to 70 bucks
i think some stores should lower there prices though
17 hours ago
Adelaide
 
To participate in this discussion, please log in or register.
MyPS3 Says:

Polls

Games

  • Dark Void
  • Bladestorm: The Hundred Year War
  • MotorStorm: Pacifica
  • Project Witches

News

Listings

3 games for sale - $0.00
05 Apr 2008 - 14:46

MyPS3 Miscellaneous - $200.00
29 Mar 2008 - 21:21

SingStar PS3 - $70.00
28 Mar 2008 - 07:17

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 - $65.00
26 Mar 2008 - 20:15

Tiger Woods PGA Tour '08 - $65.00
26 Mar 2008 - 20:11

Videos

  • GameTrailers Final Fantasy Retrospective II
    GameTrailers Final Fantasy Retrospective II
  • Opening the Orange Box PC VERSION
    Opening the Orange Box PC VERSION
  • Tomb Raider: Underworld Interview
    Tomb Raider: Underworld Interview
  • The Orange Box AMV
    The Orange Box AMV

Best Photos

  • MyPS3
    36 32
  • Budget PS3
    22 26
  • Red PS3
    24 22
  • Computer Rage
    20 22
  • PS3 Skyscraper
    19 21
  • Pimped Up Ps3
    18 20

Comments

Are YOU getting Grand Theft Auto 4? Vinzor 5 mins ago
Are YOU getting Grand Theft Auto 4? dagamster 30 mins ago
A Shiny New Look For The PSN dagamster 35 mins ago
A Shiny New Look For The PSN Luke4123 2 hours ago
Viking Battle For Asgard Luke4123 2 hours ago
SIXAXIS Rumble Controller Luke4123 2 hours ago
uncharted gdmatt 2 hours ago
Uncharted Drake's Fortune gdmatt 3 hours ago
Resistance 2 Trailer Coming To GTTV On Saturday gdmatt 3 hours ago
Uncharted Drake's Fortune nighthawk 3 hours ago

Everyone is...

Luke4123: shivering at how good callans new review is! :D Check it out if you already havent:
https://www.myps3.com.au/ReviewDetail.aspx?id=178
GTADude: Sobbing and shivering while playing Condemned 2 :'(
jason_rhcp: gonna write up my 2nd review on the weekend Unreal Tournament 3 stay tuned!!!
Heartbrake: Eating at Tacco Bills
deo: playin COD4 and Burntout until GTA4 is out