• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Console gamers need to recalibrate their pricing expectations from here on out

analog_future

Resident Crybaby
I'm fully prepared for this thread to piss a lot of people off, but it is what it is.

Gaming is one of the cheapest mainstream hobbies in existence. Virtually every major hobby out there is a larger monetary investment to the hobbyist compared to what the product cost to produce.

Whether it be:
  • Phones
  • Home Theater
  • Musical instruments
  • Figurines
  • Antiques
  • Jewelry
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Cards
  • Art
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Boating
  • Cars
etc.. etc.. these are all way larger investments than gaming.

So when a PS5 Pro comes out at $700 and the gaming sphere acts like the world is on fire, it comes off as pretty whiny and entitled. The expected performance of the PS5 Pro will likely far outperform any PC anywhere near it's price range. It's undoubtedly a "good value" as far as what you're getting for your money is concerned. And if it's still too much for you? Great! Then just stick with your base model PS5 (which is also a fantastic value).


I'm saying this as someone that isn't buying a PS5 Pro and I'm not even particularly fond of Sony. It just feels like "gamers" need to be oUtRaGeD at literally freaking everything nowadays. Not every new game, accessory, or console has to be some perceived sign of catastrophe and the end of industry as we know it. It's like some of ya'll have a legitimate inability to just enjoy your damn hobby.


Alright, I'm going back to playing the Final Fantasy XVI demo. Good day!
 
Last edited:

Topher

Identifies as young
Sometimes I just need to cry

Sad Ice Cream GIF
 

ReyBrujo

Member
Offer and demand. Holding the monopoly of the living room high end gaming Sony can set whatever price they want. It's up to the market to decide whether they accept or not. The market already accepted annual phone refreshes for over a grand, let's see whether they accept consoles as well.
 

ReyBrujo

Member
PS6 will remain low priced probably at 499 without disc drive. Pro versions will cost more because a cheaper option is already available for those who simply want to get into the ecosystem and play games without the extra effects and frames.

If they manage to sell a PS5 refresh for 700 why would they price the PS6 lower losing money at the same time?
 

Gexxy1

Member
Gaming is one of the cheapest mainstream hobbies in existence.

Go outside please.

So when a PS5 Pro comes out at $700 and the gaming sphere acts like the world is on fire, it comes off as pretty whiny and entitled.

We are consumers, we have the right to be "entitled." It's money we busted our bums for. With bills to pay, families to take care of, and inflation everywhere, people can and should search for the best ways to spend their money and consider the value of it for the product they are getting.

Please enjoy your $700* machine that will be irrelevant in 3-4 years so you can replay some ps3 and ps4 re-remasters.

*does not include tax, disc drive or vertical stand.
 

BennyBlanco

aka IMurRIVAL69
Yeah it is a fair price IMO when you compare it to PC hardware. That silicon is expensive. I had no problem forking over $600 to Valve for a steam deck with better battery life and an OLED. I’m not buying a ps5 pro but I probably would if I was entrenched in Sony ecosystem or was dying to play an exclusive of theirs.
 

ergem

Member
Yes. Probably even cheaper but I doubt it with chips prices going up.

The console business is penetrating mass market unlike AAA PC (f2p excluded). So an offer of cheaper option will always be on the table. But a pro version will also be released for those who want it.
 

RoboFu

One of the green rats
Timber those 2 gens were the race was about who could get down to $99 the quickest? lol
 

Magic Carpet

Gold Member
Let me buy a cheap Chinese electric car,
That BYD seal is supposed to be an ok get around machine.
 
Last edited:

Topher

Identifies as young
Yes. Probably even cheaper but I doubt it with chips prices going up.

The console business is penetrating mass market unlike AAA PC (f2p excluded). So an offer of cheaper option will always be on the table. But a pro version will also be released for those who want it.
I think the days of console subsidization are over myself, but I hope I'm wrong
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
Gaming is one of the cheapest mainstream hobbies in existence. Virtually every major hobby out there is a larger monetary investment to the hobbyist compared to what the product cost to produce.
You drunk?

Running: shoes for $50, you’re done
Tennis: racket for $100, you’re done
Music instrument: instrument for $50-500, you’re done
Art: whatever art supplies you need, sub-$100, you’re done

Gaming: console $500, paid online $50-100 per year, new releases $40-70 per release Day 1
 
Last edited:

ergem

Member
If they manage to sell a PS5 refresh for 700 why would they price the PS6 lower losing money at the same time?
Because there should always be a cheaper option on the table. Right now, PS5 slim is the cheaper option.

PS6 Pro will be 799 without disc drive though.
 
mmm. who knows buddy. I think Sony said the PS4Pro was made to compete with PC (the audience). we could assume PS5Pro has the same intention. at certain point, the annoying things PC has can be overlooked when you only need to upgrade a CPU or GPU. (a component at the time). For longtime lovers of console gaming/casual, price could be prohibited. ($400-600) it's the sweet spot.... AND the prices NEDDS to go down.... no UP!!!! 🙃
 
Last edited:

bundylove

Gold Member
I'm fully prepared for this thread to piss a lot of people off, but it is what it is.

Gaming is one of the cheapest mainstream hobbies in existence. Virtually every major hobby out there is a larger monetary investment to the hobbyist compared to what the product cost to produce.

Whether it be:
  • Phones
  • Home Theater
  • Musical instruments
  • Figurines
  • Antiques
  • Jewelry
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Cards
  • Art
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Boating
  • Cars
etc.. etc.. these are all way larger investments than gaming.

So when a PS5 Pro comes out at $700 and the gaming sphere acts like the world is on fire, it comes off as pretty whiny and entitled. The expected performance of the PS5 Pro will likely far outperform any PC anywhere near it's price range. It's undoubtedly a "good value" as far as what you're getting for your money is concerned. And if it's still too much for you? Great! Then just stick with your base model PS5 (which is also a fantastic value).


I'm saying this as someone that isn't buying a PS5 Pro and I'm not even particularly fond of Sony. It just feels like "gamers" need to be oUtRaGeD at literally freaking everything nowadays. Not every new game, accessory, or console has to be some perceived sign of catastrophe and the end of industry as we know it. It's like some of ya'll have a legitimate inability to just enjoy your damn hobby.


Alright, I'm going back to playing the Final Fantasy XVI demo. Good day!
YcocwFB.jpeg
 

Roni

Member
So when a PS5 Pro comes out at $700 and the gaming sphere acts like the world is on fire, it comes off as pretty whiny and entitled.
I'll just say this: some entertainment better remain dirt fucking cheap. The romans figured it out a long time ago that keeping people fed and entertained prevents them from noticing how bad things are getting. You start pricing a larger and larger number of people out of their entertainment of choice, they start having a ton of time to realize what's going on.

And the activist vocal minority of millenials ain't watching soap operas or reading books in droves... Just try and imagine how much more disruptive the 4chan crowd could be if they didn't have their games to platinum.
 
Last edited:

Punished Miku

Human Rights Subscription Service
I was already planning on getting a NeXtbox or PC at around $1500 - 2000, but it has to be open store and forward compatible. Even better if they get rid of that stupid online requirement. Expecting cheaper games as well if I can shop around digitally.

No idea what PS gamers are expecting or wanting honestly. They can work that out between themselves and Sony. Not my problem.
 
I accept the prices. It all comes down to personal value. I didn't mind paying $550 for PSVR2.

I don't really have any need for the Pro. I do agree that $700 is alot, but I also don't think that it's beyond the pale.

I also thought the Portal was a good price at $200.

The only PS5 accessory I think is overpriced are the Pulse headsets. The mic quality is shit and the pass-through is also shit, might as well not even be there. The mic in the dualsense controller is better, as is the PSVR2 mic, but you gotta use aux. PSVR2 audio pass-through is infinitely better too.
 
Last edited:

angrod14

Member
I agree. The last thing I want is a budget underpowered console. In order to provide good hardware they need to price it adequately. 500 bucks in an era where people pay 1000 dollars to take selfies and change their phones every year is ridiculous.

If you want a less costly machine just go and build your own for less money. Let's see how that turns out. Nobody is obliged to buy anything.
 

BigBeauford

Member
That will depend on how the Pro does really
I'm happy to eat crow if this is just the new reality of the world, but the buying power of consumers is in the shitter, and now we are within spitting distance of a comparable PC build that lets you enjoy games you bought on it forever, along with being 10X more useful for productivity as a device.

I have a mini-ITX with a 4070, all told cost about $900 to build siting behind my TV tv and functions just like a console. A console really doesn't want to be competing in this space, especially when I have to also pay to play online.
 
Last edited:
Go outside please.



We are consumers, we have the right to be "entitled." It's money we busted our bums for. With bills to pay, families to take care of, and inflation everywhere, people can and should search for the best ways to spend their money and consider the value of it for the product they are getting.

Please enjoy your $700* machine that will be irrelevant in 3-4 years so you can replay some ps3 and ps4 re-remasters.

*does not include tax, disc drive or vertical stand.

I'll trade in my PS5 Pro for a PS6. The PS5 Pro will probably retain more value than the PS5 that I currently own. So I don't care if it becomes irrelevant in 3-4 years. I definitely want to play any remasters of games I didn't play on their original consoles or of games I played and loved but don't feel like hold up.

My PS5's disc drive has NEVER been used.

I lay my PS5 horizontally like most of my electronics.
 
Last edited:

Fabieter

Member
The VW ID7 is also a great value, but with an MSRP of 70k, many people feel it's too expensive for an EV like that. Despite offering a lot for the price, people still criticize the cost, and rightfully so. Just because something offers great value doesn’t mean it’s not overpriced, or at least perceived that way.
 

KillaJamm

Member
I'm fully prepared for this thread to piss a lot of people off, but it is what it is.

Gaming is one of the cheapest mainstream hobbies in existence. Virtually every major hobby out there is a larger monetary investment to the hobbyist compared to what the product cost to produce.

Whether it be:
  • Phones
  • Home Theater
  • Musical instruments
  • Figurines
  • Antiques
  • Jewelry
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Cards
  • Art
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Boating
  • Cars
etc.. etc.. these are all way larger investments than gaming.

So when a PS5 Pro comes out at $700 and the gaming sphere acts like the world is on fire, it comes off as pretty whiny and entitled. The expected performance of the PS5 Pro will likely far outperform any PC anywhere near it's price range. It's undoubtedly a "good value" as far as what you're getting for your money is concerned. And if it's still too much for you? Great! Then just stick with your base model PS5 (which is also a fantastic value).


I'm saying this as someone that isn't buying a PS5 Pro and I'm not even particularly fond of Sony. It just feels like "gamers" need to be oUtRaGeD at literally freaking everything nowadays. Not every new game, accessory, or console has to be some perceived sign of catastrophe and the end of industry as we know it. It's like some of ya'll have a legitimate inability to just enjoy your damn hobby.


Alright, I'm going back to playing the Final Fantasy XVI demo. Good day!
Wrong, if I wasn't to play football (soccer), all I need is a ball that costs like 10 quid. Take up jogging? A pair of running shoes, 50 quid. This arguement about it being the cheapest hobby is null and void.
 

HeisenbergFX4

Gold Member
When I can build a mini-ITX computer with

I'm happy to eat crow if this is just the new reality of the world, but the buying power of consumers is in the shitter, and now we are within spitting distance of a comparable PC build that lets you enjoy games you bought on it forever, along with being 10X more useful for productivity as a device.

I have a mini-ITX with a 4070, all told cost about $900 to build siting behind my TV tv and functions just like a console. A console really doesn't want to be competing in this space, especially when I have to also pay to play online.
Right there with you and would 100% agree with making the jump to PC if Sony decides to launch every game on PC as well

Until then I will own both
 
Top Bottom