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[xabre]

A bit of comparison is in order I think (these are Australian prices BTW) -

Firstly we have Sandisk SD memory card weighing in at 256 MB - http://www.mrgadget.com.au/catalog/sd-card-secure-digital-256mb-sandisk-p-171.html

Secondly we have the same card in a 512 MB version - http://www.mrgadget.com.au/catalog/sd-card-secure-digital-512mb-sandisk-p-170.html

Lastly we have the PS2 memory card holding a grand total of 8 MB - http://topshop.com.au/?action=view&id=6458

Anyone else seeing something wrong with this picture? Sure the first two cards would have cost a fortune in 2001, thing is though it's no longer 2001, so why does Sony's absurd pricing scheme still suggest that it is? Why haven’t memory card prices decreased in accordance with reduced manufacturing costs? The console has gotten a lot cheaper, why haven’t the memory cards?

Of course it isn’t just Sony, Nintendo’s GC memory cards are an even greater ripoff, costing a similar amount and holding much less. It’s plain extortion.

 

[Chittagong]

Because the companies need to recoup the subsidized hardware somehow?

 

[Deg]

Because the companies need to recoup the subsidized hardware somehow?

I'd like to hear the explanation for Nintendo's card. Especially given that it could hardly save any games.

 

[B E N K E]

It has always been a rip-off and memory sticks are pretty expensive for what you get as well.

 

[Chittagong]

I'd like to hear the explanation for Nintendo's card. Especially given that it could hardly save any games.

Because Nintendo likes money more than Sony and Microsoft?

 

[xabre]

Because the companies need to recoup the subsidized hardware somehow?

That's recouped through game sales and eventually by the hardware itself. Just because a loss is often taken on the hardware early in the consoles life doesn't mean that the hardware will never turn a profit, of course it will.

Also, it's not just the memory cards either, game console accessories in general, i.e. game controllers, video cables etc are easily the biggest rort aspect of console gaming.

 

[Chittagong]

That's recouped through game sales and eventually by the hardware itself. Just because a loss is often taken on the hardware early in the consoles life doesn't mean that the hardware will never turn a profit, of course it will.

Also, it's not just the memory cards either, game console accessories in general, i.e. game controllers, video cables etc are easily the biggest rort aspect of console gaming.

Believe me, the accessories are not irrelevant when a platform company such as MS, Sony or Nintendo do business case calculations. Quite on the contrary, they are a steady and high margin revenue stream for the reason you point out - components and materials do not cost shit and you need to get it anyway.

It's not a coincidence that Microsoft and Apple are tightening their accessory policies to ensure that the revenue stream goes to the right address, and not to an unlicenced accessory company.

 

[conker]

Memory = dirt cheap.
But it sells for more than gold.

It's bullshit, but you have no choice.
Conform.

 

[Ponn]

Good thing sony is finally getting their crap together and going with Pro Duo's for PS3. And hey, lookie here I have a 32mb one that came with my PSP.

 

[Ranger X]

Dude, you need my memory card to save your games on my console because it's not having an harddrive. Right now, my memory cards still are selling like hot cakes, please tell me why i should lower the price?? Business man. I ain't charity, i'm here to make money and that's all.

 

[Fuzzy]

Dude, you need my memory card to save your games on my console because it's not having an harddrive. Right now, my memory cards still are selling like hot cakes, please tell me why i should lower the price?? Business man. I ain't charity, i'm here to make money and that's all.

They're only in it to make money? I thought they were in it to bring joy to our lives.

*runs away crying*

 

[Ranger X]

They're only in it to make money? I thought they were in it to bring joy to our lives.

*runs away crying*

Please don't cry. Do you want tissues? I can sell you some really nice ones for 2$ a piece or 325 gamer points.

 

[Economan]

Yeah, when I got my ps2, I tried to beat the system by buying a third party memory card. I got the gameshark memory card, that was complete with a cd swap procedure that had to be done everytime I would want to play a game. Boy, that did not turn out well; it turned out that the piece of shit could only save first generation games, so I was forced to by a 'genuine' ps2 memory card to play my mgs2 and gta3. Yeah, you can't beat Sony (or trust 3rd party companies!)