Support NeoGAF

[bitbydeath]

Australia is really getting bent over when it comes to the more expensive titles and I don't understand why.

Here's an example where it works:
Helldivers 2 $40 US

Australian conversion $60

That is bang on

Meanwhile Stella Blade $70 US

Somehow converts to $125 AUD

When it should equal $107 AUD.

This is the equivalent of the US paying for $80 games.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Why is the Australian dollar's value so low?

 

[calistan]

Shipping fees. Costs a lot to send all that data to the arse end of the world.

 

[Topher]

US prices do not include tax.

 

[Shake Your Rump]

It's funny how, at tax time, these corporations are all "oh we are actually incorporated in Ireland so we don't owe US taxes", but when it comes to prices they insist on being paid in USD worldwide.

 

[kazuyamishima]

Why is the Australian dollar's value so low?

Pretty much is summarised in here:

Drivers of the Australian Dollar Exchange Rate | Explainer | Education

This series provides short, concise explanations for various economics topics.

www.rba.gov.au

The RRP used to be 99 doliroos but got increased to 125 when Take Two stated the $60 to $70 transition.

Inflation is still relatively high in the country, house pricing is through the roof, rent vacancy is at all time low, and a few other factors.

Also, a low Aussie dollar attracts investment to foreign ones.

When I arrived in the country almost 7 years ago, conversion was about 81 usd cents for every Aussie dollar. When covid hit it was 55 cents per dollar and it has remained between 64-66 for the last couple of years.

 

[winjer]

Lol, those prices are pretty low compared to Europe.
Helldivers there costs 40 AU$. That converts to 24€. But t6he game costs here the full 40€.

 

[Carmen Winstead]

It's even worse in Europe lil bro.

Stellar Blade is 79.99€ = 86,21$.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

MSRP for Stellar Blade in most of Europe is €80 and the cheapest option I've found so far puts it at €70.

That said, I hope to snag it around €60 since I have pre-order discount at a local game shop. Just need for them to put the listing up already.

 

[bitbydeath]

US prices do not include tax.

I provided an example where the correct conversion rate is applied (Helldivers 2), it's the $70 games that are being treated as though they are $80.

 

[ReBurn]

Yeah but your water circles the drain backward. It's all about perspective.

 

[kazuyamishima]

Lol, those prices are pretty low compared to Europe.
Helldivers there costs 40 AU$. That converts to 24€. But t6he game costs here the full 40€.

It's 60 doliroos here.

It's even worse in Europe lil bro.

Stellar Blade is 79.99€ = 86,21$.

MSRP for Stellar Blade in most of Europe is €80 and the cheapest option I've found so far puts it at €70.

European prices include VAT which can go from 17 to around 22%.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

It's 60 doliroos here.



European prices include VAT which can go from 17 to around 22%.

Yeah, I know lol.

 

[Elysium44]

I provided an example where the correct conversion rate is applied (Helldivers 2), it's the $70 games that are being treated as though they are $80.

You're not comparing like with like by ignoring GST.

 

[bitbydeath]

Lol, those prices are pretty low compared to Europe.
Helldivers there costs 40 AU$. That converts to 24€. But t6he game costs here the full 40€.

$40 US, $60 AU

 

[Carmen Winstead]

MSRP for Stellar Blade in most of Europe is €80 and the cheapest option I've found so far puts it at €70.

That said, I hope to snag it around €60 since I have pre-order discount at a local game shop. Just need for them to put the listing up already.

Another reason why I don't buy 99% of games on launch and mostly just get used copies for my PS5. This industry doesn't deserve it anymore.
Last game I didn't buy used was Elden Ring and this is what I will probably do with GTA VI. The other companies just don't give me the feeling that they are deserving of my hard-earned money with their shady business practices.

 

[bitbydeath]

You're not comparing like with like by ignoring GST.

The Helldivers example is how the conversion should go, it also includes GST.

 

[Deerock71]

US prices do not include tax.

Montana prices have 0 sales tax.

 

[panda-zebra]

$40 US, $60 AU

You're basically getting Helldivers II on the cheap when you add on the sales tax to the US price (assuming the GST is already included in the aus price). I see what you're saying at the hgher end of the spectrum though, the price is proportionally too high.

 

[winjer]

It's 60 doliroos here.

My mistake, I was watching the US$ price instead of the AU$
But it's still cheaper than in the EU, since it converts to 36€.
Seriously, the EU is the worst place to buy games, in the whole world.

 

[bitbydeath]

Another reason why I don't buy 99% of games on launch and mostly just get used copies for my PS5. This industry doesn't deserve it anymore.
Last game I didn't buy used was Elden Ring and this is what I will probably do with GTA VI. The other companies just don't give me the feeling that they are deserving of my hard-earned money with their shady business practices.

Same, it's very difficult to find these inflated prices worth it for day 1.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Another reason why I don't buy 99% of games on launch and mostly just get used copies for my PS5. This industry doesn't deserve it anymore.
Last game I didn't buy used was Elden Ring and this is what I will probably do with GTA VI. The other companies just don't give me the feeling that they are deserving of my hard-earned money with their shady business practices.

To be honest, I don't mind paying full MSRP for physical games, but for digital ones on console, the pricing is kinda wild. It just doesn't sit well with me to pay €80 for a digital game license in a walled garden.

 

[TexMex]

GOOD

 

[Elysium44]

It's even worse in Europe lil bro.

Stellar Blade is 79.99€ = 86,21$.

UK is £69.99 = $88.21 or AUD $135.08.

Look on the bright side, Americans get cheaper games but have to pay a lot for their healthcare. I wouldn't want to swap.

 

[Papa_Wisdom]

Yeah but you have Isla fisher so well call it even

 

[cormack12]

To be honest, while this is a concern, if I was Australian I would be more worried about being attacked by lady birds the size of tiger wasps. Or being eaten by a local sandworm.

 

[Carmen Winstead]

UK is £69.99 = $88.21 or AUD $135.08.

Look on the bright side, Americans get cheaper games but have to pay a lot for their healthcare. I wouldn't want to swap.

Also education.
Student loans are big problem in America whereas if you study at a state university in Germany you just have to pay 300-350€ each semester and that's it.

 

[dreamstation]

I miss when our dollar was at parity. It was cheaper to import tires and the like from the US and get them fitted here than it was to buy locally. I'm all for supporting local businesses and I buy Australian Made when I can but they gotta be competitive too.

Yeah but you have Isla fisher so well call it even

 

[Saber]

Come to Brazil, you noobs gonna love the prices here.

 

[Papa_Wisdom]

I miss when our dollar was at parity. It was cheaper to import tires and the like from the US and get them fitted here than it was to buy locally. I'm all for supporting local businesses and I buy Australian Made when I can but they gotta be competitive too.

Ironically this is her husband

 

[bender]

That's what they get for infecting the worlds with Foster's Lager.

 

[Yoboman]

Unfortunately not a new phenomenon. Games have been reaching $120 since the PS3 era. I used to basically get 2 for 1 by importing games on PS3

Best you can do other is you can go JB Hi-fi and get them for about $20 less but it's still more than they were charging on games last gen

I put the blame on the EB Games monopoly that was here for a long time. They introduced enormous mark ups and never dropped prices even when JB Hifi gave us a reprieve for a little while but the idea of charging $120 is not new here

So cheer anytime you see an EB Games going out of business

Will also add there seems to be a new game tax happening because game prices drop quickly sometimes up to 50%

 

[Yoboman]

That's what they get for infecting the worlds with Foster's Lager.

Don't blame your shit on us. Foster's is barely more Australian than outback steakhouse. We don't drink that piss

 

[bender]

Don't blame your shit on us. Foster's is barely more Australian than outback steakhouse. We don't drink that piss

Those assholes created that garbage in Australia and had the nerve to export it so Australia can hold that L. If Australia had any self respect they should have deported the brothers after taking the first sip of that swill.

 

[Gryllis]

It's only Sony first party games. They jumped to AUD $125 this generation, which is probably a bit too much.

Most other publishers are $110 to $120. FF VII Rebirth is $115, which is bang on USD $70 + 10% GST.

We've actually been getting a pretty good deal on Nintendo games. Besides Zelda, they've stayed at $80.

 

[JaksGhost]

That actually aligns with the US price when you include tax in certain areas. For example I'm in Texas where the sales tax is 8.25%. I paid $75.78 to pre-order the game, but in other states that could go either up or down depending on their state's sales tax and if they impose other local taxes.

 

[Yoboman]

Those assholes created that garbage in Australia and had the nerve to export it so Australia can hold that L. If Australia had any self respect they should have deported the brothers after taking the first sip of that swill.

They were deported shortly after

Foster's has never been successful in Australia and isn't even sold here now. Blame Americans for creating it, now manufacturing and still buying it

 

[IDappa]

Pretty much is summarised in here:

Drivers of the Australian Dollar Exchange Rate | Explainer | Education

This series provides short, concise explanations for various economics topics.

www.rba.gov.au

The RRP used to be 99 doliroos but got increased to 125 when Take Two stated the $60 to $70 transition.

Inflation is still relatively high in the country, house pricing is through the roof, rent vacancy is at all time low, and a few other factors.

Also, a low Aussie dollar attracts investment to foreign ones.

When I arrived in the country almost 7 years ago, conversion was about 81 usd cents for every Aussie dollar. When covid hit it was 55 cents per dollar and it has remained between 64-66 for the last couple of years.

Been like this forever old excuse used to bee "shipping" yet I could import games for cheaper.. companies do it because they can get away with it. Aussies pay more for everything not just games.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

This isn't new Australia been getting fucks for games for YEARS. You gotta remortgage your house if you want a single CE.

 

[Bojji]

Australia is really getting bent over when it comes to the more expensive titles and I don't understand why.

Here's an example where it works:
Helldivers 2 $40 US

Australian conversion $60

That is bang on

Meanwhile Stella Blade $70 US

Somehow converts to $125 AUD

When it should equal $107 AUD.

This is the equivalent of the US paying for $80 games.

Same thing in Poland:

 

[FunkMiller]

As an Australian and a Brit… I can safely say the UK is getting fucked a hell of a lot more, OP.

 

[Zathalus]

As mentioned US prices don't include tax, so you are getting a bargain on Helldivers 2. Or play it on PC where you can pick up Helldivers for 47 Australian dollars. Out of luck for Stellar Blade though.

 

[Topher]

I provided an example where the correct conversion rate is applied (Helldivers 2), it's the $70 games that are being treated as though they are $80.

Talking about taxes. Not conversion rates. Where I live, $70 is $75 at checkout. That converts to 114.85 AUD. So you are paying about $10 AUD/$6.50 USD more than I am where I live.

Montana prices have 0 sales tax.

Ain't no people there to tax my man

 

[bender]

Ain't no people there to tax my man

Best place in the world then.

 

[Holammer]

It's the best beaches tax.

 

[Traxtech]

Australia has a way higher minimum wage too. So even after gst the majority of us here have it pretty good.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Arent game prices in Australia boosted because the law there allows gamers to return games for a refund? So stores will increase prices knowing a portion of gamers will refund it?

 

[Bernardougf]

Australia is really getting bent over when it comes to the more expensive titles and I don't understand why.

Here's an example where it works:
Helldivers 2 $40 US

Australian conversion $60

That is bang on

Meanwhile Stella Blade $70 US

Somehow converts to $125 AUD

When it should equal $107 AUD.

This is the equivalent of the US paying for $80 games.

Come to Brazil and comeback feeling instantly better

 

[Dane]

Was there a parity to dollar conversion back then? Because in Brazil for example, PS Store prices were always the worst, even eShop is better.

 

[El Muerto]

I dont feel bad for them. Their minimum wage is $23hr.