Randy Pitchford Regarding BL4 potentially costing $80: "If You’re a Real Fan, You’ll Find a Way to Make It Happen"

"gamers whining" What about YOUR whining?

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And what about the inflation that people have been subjected to for years? You are forgetting one essential thing: purchasing power has decreased very sharply over all these years, which means that people have less money to invest in leisure activities. What's this nonsense, even for you Rofif? Don't you think people would like to buy every game they are interested in even at $100 if they could? You are also forgetting the means put in place by these companies such as MTX, battle passes, season passes, etc. etc. Video games have never been as profitable as in recent years with record profits but yes, let's increase the price of games even more. What could go wrong?

Finally, it's not my fault if budgets are exploding because studios are over bloated, or if legendary studios like Bioware are pulling out turd after turd. If the games are "not profitable enough," maybe these publishers should consider making good games again, because good games make money.
Because of thinking like this, we get worst of both worlds.
Games that are 70-80$ with microtransactions and huge bloated open worlds.
Gamers whined about game length and about price. So we get open world bloated slop instead of nice, curated 8-25h long games.

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Because of thinking like this, we get worst of both worlds.
Games that are 70-80$ with microtransactions and huge bloated open worlds.
They found new ways to increase revenue, but do you really think if a game is suddenly $100 it won't have any MTX? Or free content updates? Lmao even you know this is bullshit.
How are those company able to make record profits every year? It's not like they are in the red, they just want more and more money. Look at EA, 2K, Capcom... they don't NEED that price bump, but they want it because money talks.

Gamers whined about game length and about price. So we get open world bloated slop instead of nice, curated 8-25h long games.
They whined and it was rightful. Maybe you don't remember? But studios took the easy route by bloating their games, because studios are lazy. Not the fault of the players.

And you still got those 8 to 25 hours games what are you talking about? They didn't disappear.

So in your opinion, because I don't want to buy overpriced games, I'm poor? Wtf is this mentality... I already told you I make good money every month. But the truth is that yes, the average wage has not kept up with inflation. You only have to look at average purchasing power then and now to realize that things are not adding up.

This thinking of "it doesn't concern me so fuck the other" is exactly WHY games have decreased in quality, saying Amen to everything just waiting for the next slop spoon-feed to you.
 
They found new ways to increase revenue, but do you really think if a game is suddenly $100 it won't have any MTX? Or free content updates? Lmao even you know this is bullshit.
How are those company able to make record profits every year? It's not like they are in the red, they just want more and more money. Look at EA, 2K, Capcom... they don't NEED that price bump, but they want it because money talks.


They whined and it was rightful. Maybe you don't remember? But studios took the easy route by bloating their games, because studios are lazy. Not the fault of the players.

And you still got those 8 to 25 hours games what are you talking about? They didn't disappear.


So in your opinion, because I don't want to buy overpriced games, I'm poor? Wtf is this mentality... I already told you I make good money every month. But the truth is that yes, the average wage has not kept up with inflation. You only have to look at average purchasing power then and now to realize that things are not adding up.

This thinking of "it doesn't concern me so fuck the other" is exactly WHY games have decreased in quality, saying Amen to everything just waiting for the next slop spoon-feed to you.
you read way too deeply into what I am saying.
And I am probably poorer than you but this is my hobby. if I spend 60$ or 70$ for a game, it doesn't matter. 10$ difference is not enough to make me reconsider my hobby.
I only buy a game every few months. Rarely more than 1 a month and usually I buy physical games which I can always find a bit cheaper from smaller retaielrs.

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you read way too deeply into what I am saying.
You wrote what you wrote, I'm reacting to it that's it. Maybe stop writing nonsense?

And I am probably poorer than you but this is my hobby. if I spend 60$ or 70$ for a game, it doesn't matter. 10$ difference is not enough to make me reconsider my hobby.
I only buy a game every few months. Rarely more than 1 a month and usually I buy physical games which I can always find a bit cheaper from smaller retaielrs.

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Maybe for you, but you need to understand that for some other people those $10 are the difference between a purchase or not. And having ways to get them cheaper is not what we are discussing, we are talking about retail price (which obviously will also have an impact on less expensive means).
And you think it will magically stop? If you say ok for $100 games, it's just a matter of time before it's $120, then $150 etc etc... And then you'll just have yourself to blame because gaming will be unaffordable for you (way before it is for me).

Btw you are ignoring every point I made and just go "you read way too deeply into what I am saying". How convenient to NOT address the point YOU made while being haughty with your first post.
 
You wrote what you wrote, I'm reacting to it that's it. Maybe stop writing nonsense?


Maybe for you, but you need to understand that for some other people those $10 are the difference between a purchase or not. And having ways to get them cheaper is not what we are discussing, we are talking about retail price (which obviously will also have an impact on less expensive means).
And you think it will magically stop? If you say ok for $100 games, it's just a matter of time before it's $120, then $150 etc etc... And then you'll just have yourself to blame because gaming will be unaffordable for you (way before it is for me).

Btw you are ignoring every point I made and just go "you read way too deeply into what I am saying". How convenient to NOT address the point YOU made while being haughty with your first post.
10$ is nothing. Nobody is skipping a game they wanted to play because it's 70 and not 60.
And besides - if 10$ is a big problem... you (not you but those people) have bigger problems than gaming.
And no. Games will not be 150$. I don't understand this what if discussion
 
Gotta nip this shit in the bud. Not purchasing any $80 games. I'll wait for it's inevitable failure. FOMO isn't that strong.
 
Gotta nip this shit in the bud. Not purchasing any $80 games. I'll wait for it's inevitable failure. FOMO isn't that strong.
I don't believe you.
The moment a game YOU WANT comes out and it's 80$, you will say "but wait, I can't even get a big mac for 10$.... ok then"
 
10$ is nothing. Nobody is skipping a game they wanted to play because it's 70 and not 60.
You are living in a different planet, if I'm telling you this it's because I know people in this situation.

And besides - if 10$ is a big problem... you (not you but those people) have bigger problems than gaming.
They have a perfectly fine budget, but choice needs to be made and yes, as surprising as it may sound for you $10 more can be a problem. Again, it might be the frontier between a purchase or not.

And no. Games will not be 150$. I don't understand this what if discussion
There a lot you don't understand. And of course if you start letting publishers do whatever the fuck they want it's just gonna go up and up, like we already have $120 games with all the bullshit season pass MTX nonsense.

And again, explain this: How are those company able to make record profits every year if games are too cheap? It's not like they are in the red, they just want more and more money. Look at EA, 2K, Capcom... they don't NEED that price bump, but they want it because money talks.

It's big enough, so I'm waiting for an answer.
 
You are living in a different planet, if I'm telling you this it's because I know people in this situation.


They have a perfectly fine budget, but choice needs to be made and yes, as surprising as it may sound for you $10 more can be a problem. Again, it might be the frontier between a purchase or not.


There a lot you don't understand. And of course if you start letting publishers do whatever the fuck they want it's just gonna go up and up, like we already have $120 games with all the bullshit season pass MTX nonsense.

And again, explain this: How are those company able to make record profits every year if games are too cheap? It's not like they are in the red, they just want more and more money. Look at EA, 2K, Capcom... they don't NEED that price bump, but they want it because money talks.

It's big enough, so I'm waiting for an answer.
I refuse to believe 10$ is that big of a problem to anyone who is into this hobby. I am polish. We are poor as fuck here. 3x less wages than on the west dude.
And I still think 10$ is worthless.

I am not saying the games are too cheap. I am saying that we should be happy the games are still only 70-80$. Because if it was up to inflation, it would be 800$.
And the companies make a ton of profit? Sure... some do. Other go bakrupt. You need to sell millions and millions nowadays. Because stupid ue5 and development is taking too long.
AA market is mostly dead. You are either an indie hit or huge AAA winner. Anything inbetween dies.

Clair obscur devs made an awful choice. The game should've been 60-70$. Would sell just as much.
 
I don't believe you.
The moment a game YOU WANT comes out and it's 80$, you will say "but wait, I can't even get a big mac for 10$.... ok then"
The only game I can think of that would make me do this is GTA 6. I was slightly interested in Borderlands 4 after Borderlands 3 got a lukewarm response from me. Like I played through it twice, thinking I was gonna something close to Borderlands 2 and...I dunno that magic just seemed to leave this franchise. Taking the game to 80 dollars just cements my intent to wait for a discount.
 
The only game I can think of that would make me do this is GTA 6. I was slightly interested in Borderlands 4 after Borderlands 3 got a lukewarm response from me. Like I played through it twice, thinking I was gonna something close to Borderlands 2 and...I dunno that magic just seemed to leave this franchise. Taking the game to 80 dollars just cements my intent to wait for a discount.
Borderlands 4 wouldn't sell to me even for 30$.... It died after 2
 
I refuse to believe 10$ is that big of a problem to anyone who is into this hobby. I am polish. We are poor as fuck here. 3x less wages than on the west dude.
And I still think 10$ is worthless.
That's cool and all, but it's just your opinion. I am telling you that it exist, think what you want in your own bubble. Again (again again, again (!)), it might be the frontier between a purchase or not. Why is it so hard to understand.
You are talking with what you *believe* but the reality is different.

I am not saying the games are too cheap. I am saying that we should be happy the games are still only 70-80$. Because if it was up to inflation, it would be 800$.
Yeah and the base salaries would be at 15K then. You can't just ask people to pay more when they are making less money.

And the companies make a ton of profit? Sure... some do. Other go bakrupt. You need to sell millions and millions nowadays. Because stupid ue5 and development is taking too long.
And again ( crazy how we have to repeat ourself with you): not our fault if studios are overpopulated. Cut the bullshit (for example AC Shadows don't need a map as big) and cut the fat that plague every western studio. The one that make good games are successful (Larian, CDPR...), studios that push bullshit are collapsing (Ubi, Bioware...).
This is it, make good games and you will be rewarded withy player fidelity, whiling to buy your game. CDPR is a perfect example because their games doesn't even have a protection on PC, yet the sell millions of units on PC alone. I wonder why?

AA market is mostly dead. You are either an indie hit or huge AAA winner. Anything inbetween dies.
Plenty of successful smaller A to AA games tho, what are you talking about? Alien Dark Descent, Manor Lord, Wreckfest, Timberborn, Lethal Company... the list is infinite.

Clair obscur devs made an awful choice. The game should've been 60-70$. Would sell just as much.
The deluxe is 60, which is the right price.
 
That's cool and all, but it's just your opinion. I am telling you that it exist, think what you want in your own bubble. Again (again again, again (!)), it might be the frontier between a purchase or not. Why is it so hard to understand.
You are talking with what you *believe* but the reality is different.


Yeah and the base salaries would be at 15K then. You can't just ask people to pay more when they are making less money.


And again ( crazy how we have to repeat ourself with you): not our fault if studios are overpopulated. Cut the bullshit (for example AC Shadows don't need a map as big) and cut the fat that plague every western studio. The one that make good games are successful (Larian, CDPR...), studios that push bullshit are collapsing (Ubi, Bioware...).
This is it, make good games and you will be rewarded withy player fidelity, whiling to buy your game. CDPR is a perfect example because their games doesn't even have a protection on PC, yet the sell millions of units on PC alone. I wonder why?


Plenty of successful smaller A to AA games tho, what are you talking about? Alien Dark Descent, Manor Lord, Wreckfest, Timberborn, Lethal Company... the list is infinite.


The deluxe is 60, which is the right price.
But salaries have increased.
I earn 8x more than I did in 2012.
It's not my fault usa is so ass backwards with their 7$.... that's still a lot compared to minimum wage in poland lol.
 
But salaries have increased.
I earn 8x more than I did in 2012.
Ok that's the issue then, you only looking at it with your own perspective and don't look how it is in other country. I would love for the average salary to increase eightfold compared to 2012, but that's not the case lol. Far from it. It's stagnating, while prices continue to rise so do you see the issue? Do you realise how crazy X8 is in 13 years??

It's not my fault usa is so ass backwards with their 7$.... that's still a lot compared to minimum wage in poland lol.
Yeah and price of electricity/gas/grocery is way, WAY higher than in Poland. Were I live in France, we had the BEST electricity market of Europe, and yet we are getting fucken by Germany/European laws and price keep rising and rising. But wages don't move.
Now of course leaders have done nothing to make it better, but that's another subject. And it's not the fault of the guy who just want to buy a videogame.

So yes when I see you saying stuff like "it's no big deal" when you had a X8 increase in 13 years, it's laughable.
 
10$ is nothing. Nobody is skipping a game they wanted to play because it's 70 and not 60.
And besides - if 10$ is a big problem... you (not you but those people) have bigger problems than gaming.
And no. Games will not be 150$. I don't understand this what if discussion
i ll, were i live U$10 increase its like R$60, so a game that already cost R$ 339 here, ll cost now R$ 400 or even more ( you can do groceries for a month with that money ), but hey, that's a third world problem, not your problem at all, glad that your hobby is safe.
 
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i ll, were i live U$10 increase its like R$60, so a game that already cost R$ 339 here, ll cost now R$ 400 or more, but hey, that's a third world problem, not your problem at all.
HOW DARE YOU NOT HAVE YOUR SALARY TO MAKE AN X8 IN 13 YEARS????

Then I need to be an even bigger cunt because why not?

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And boom, perfect Rofif impression.
 
i ll, were i live U$10 increase its like R$60, so a game that already cost R$ 339 here, ll cost now R$ 400 or even more ( you can do groceries for a month with that money ), but hey, that's a third world problem, not your problem at all, glad that your hobby is safe.
I have brazilian friends. They earn about as much as polish people. Currencies are/were semi close in value.
10$ is what it is.
It's your country fucking you over with tax.

70$ games in Poland are also not 70$ but closer to 90
 
Ok that's the issue then, you only looking at it with your own perspective and don't look how it is in other country. I would love for the average salary to increase eightfold compared to 2012, but that's not the case lol. Far from it. It's stagnating, while prices continue to rise so do you see the issue? Do you realise how crazy X8 is in 13 years??


Yeah and price of electricity/gas/grocery is way, WAY higher than in Poland. Were I live in France, we had the BEST electricity market of Europe, and yet we are getting fucken by Germany/European laws and price keep rising and rising. But wages don't move.
Now of course leaders have done nothing to make it better, but that's another subject. And it's not the fault of the guy who just want to buy a videogame.

So yes when I see you saying stuff like "it's no big deal" when you had a X8 increase in 13 years, it's laughable.
I also changed my position couple of times.
If I stayed at the same position since 2012, I would go x3-x4.
The truth is - Poland is/was very poor because of communism. We were 50 years behind compared to the west. Now we are only 10 years behind.....

And believe me. Everything goes up expedentionally in Poland just the same.
My flat? was like 40k$ in 2015. now the same flat would be 150-200k$....
My Electricity bill went up 200% in 8 years
my fees for flat (like administration, heating up water, trash etc) went 2x aswell since 2017

But you know what's? better? Luxury goods still cost the same.
Console like ps5 being 500$ for example is great. Now I can get multiple of those for my one salary... and in 2012 I could get half of comparable 500$ console for my salary.
So Poland is catching up but we are still behind usa and west europe.

edit: Also - I am an engineer so yes - my pay is OK compared to others. Of course it is. But it;s nothing spectacular
 
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You don't have to like it, but you need to accept the inevitability of games and gaming increasing in cost going forwards.

Maybe you have to accept that "inevitability" but I sure as hell don't. Triple A publishers with their greed are speedrunning to the next major industry crash. There is no reason for games to cost what they do, especially when so many of them end up being so aggressively mediocre, and they've already expanded their revenue streams by packing their games full of MTX and other aggressive monetization schemes.

The problem is they aren't content with the billions they are raking in, they want it all. That hubris will be their destruction as they keep pumping out bloated 300, 400, 500 million dollar budget games that end up being stinkers no one buys until they're in the bargain bin.
 
I think people complaining about need to realize that if the market isn't expanding fast enough to offset additional costs incurred by inflation, then prices are going to continue to rise across the board.

The market is no longer expanding like that, hasn't for quite some time, and the trend doesn't look like its going to change any time soon.

You don't have to like it, but you need to accept the inevitability of games and gaming increasing in cost going forwards.
Nobody has to accept it. Nobody needs a video game to survive. The market will set the price that people are willing to pay.
 
I also changed my position couple of times.
If I stayed at the same position since 2012, I would go x3-x4.
The truth is - Poland is/was very poor because of communism. We were 50 years behind compared to the west. Now we are only 10 years behind.....
Even X3/X4 is insane dude...

And believe me. Everything goes up expedentionally in Poland just the same.
My flat? was like 40k$ in 2015. now the same flat would be 150-200k$....
My Electricity bill went up 200% in 8 years
my fees for flat (like administration, heating up water, trash etc) went 2x aswell since 2017
You don't understand that it's the same for everyone, but our salaries have flatlined since then. Not yours, which is good but it's not comparable then.

Example: Over the past 15 years (2010-2025), the price of electricity in France, based on EDF's regulated sales tariff (TRV) in the Base option, has increased by approximately 137%.

So again for example if they had let's say 150e per month to put into leisure, they only have 50 now. See the issue? And you're there saying it should go higher... How about salaries going higher too? Then it won't be an issue and 99% of people would be ok with games at 80.

But you know what's? better? Luxury goods still cost the same.
Console like ps5 being 500$ for example is great. Now I can get multiple of those for my one salary... and in 2012 I could get half of comparable 500$ console for my salary.
So Poland is catching up but we are still behind usa and west europe.
Life in Poland is significantly cheaper than in France (26 to 39% less) and in the United States (34% less on average).

"In fact, the cost of living in Poland in 2023 is on average 39% lower than in France."
"Grocery shopping is around 28-50% cheaper in Poland."
"Purchasing power: Although the average salary in Poland (around €1,200 gross/month, or €930 net) is lower than that of France (around €2,393 in Paris), the lower cost of living partially compensates for this difference, offering relatively decent purchasing power."
"Inflation: Poland has experienced high inflation (17.2% in February 2023), but it remains cheaper than France, where inflation was 5.4% in 2023"
"Leisure activities in Poland are also much cheaper than in France. For example the price of a cinema ticket in Warsaw is around 6 euros, compared to 11 euros in Paris."

It's the same in the US:

"Overall cost of living: The cost of living in Poland is on average 34.1% lower than in the United States"
"Food: Grocery shopping is about 42% more expensive in the United States."

Just ask Google, or an AI to make a summary. It's sourced and shows than it is, indeed, way cheaper in Poland.

edit: Also - I am an engineer so yes - my pay is OK compared to others. Of course it is. But it;s nothing spectacular
Nothing spectacular but as an engineer you are still in a way better position than most people in your country.
 
Even X3/X4 is insane dude...


You don't understand that it's the same for everyone, but our salaries have flatlined since then. Not yours, which is good but it's not comparable then.

Example: Over the past 15 years (2010-2025), the price of electricity in France, based on EDF's regulated sales tariff (TRV) in the Base option, has increased by approximately 137%.

So again for example if they had let's say 150e per month to put into leisure, they only have 50 now. See the issue? And you're there saying it should go higher... How about salaries going higher too? Then it won't be an issue and 99% of people would be ok with games at 80.


Life in Poland is significantly cheaper than in France (26 to 39% less) and in the United States (34% less on average).

"In fact, the cost of living in Poland in 2023 is on average 39% lower than in France."
"Grocery shopping is around 28-50% cheaper in Poland."
"Purchasing power: Although the average salary in Poland (around €1,200 gross/month, or €930 net) is lower than that of France (around €2,393 in Paris), the lower cost of living partially compensates for this difference, offering relatively decent purchasing power."
"Inflation: Poland has experienced high inflation (17.2% in February 2023), but it remains cheaper than France, where inflation was 5.4% in 2023"
"Leisure activities in Poland are also much cheaper than in France. For example the price of a cinema ticket in Warsaw is around 6 euros, compared to 11 euros in Paris."

It's the same in the US:

"Overall cost of living: The cost of living in Poland is on average 34.1% lower than in the United States"
"Food: Grocery shopping is about 42% more expensive in the United States."

Just ask Google, or an AI to make a summary. It's sourced and shows than it is, indeed, way cheaper in Poland.


Nothing spectacular but as an engineer you are still in a way better position than most people in your country.
idk... I have plenty of french colleagues from work and they usually have summer house and a boat or something on the same position as me lol. meanwhile I have a small flat. Not that I am complaining or anything
I went to la ciota once and it was really nice... Poland looks like a dump in comparison lol

edit: also... yikes. Comparison on the same eng position between 2 countries
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also:
"
Conclusion:
A Senior Engineer earning X PLN gross in Poland is likely in a better or comparable financial position to a similar professional in France — especially outside the most expensive French cities."

Interesting. So we are somewhat catching up finally
 
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idk... I have plenty of french colleagues from work and they usually have summer house and a boat or something on the same position as me lol. meanwhile I have a small flat. Not that I am complaining or anything
I went to la ciota once and it was really nice... Poland looks like a dump in comparison lol
But that doesn't reflect the reality of things. I'm telling you how it is and why your statement comes as insensitive and selfish.

And I went to Paris for work a few month ago, trust me it felt like I was in some underdeveloped countries.

Like... this is in Paris:

There is plenty of examples. Once you go outside the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, it can be pretty... uh... surprising.

edit: also... yikes. Comparison on the same eng position between 2 countries
HAaQE2s.png


also:
"
Conclusion:
A Senior Engineer earning X PLN gross in Poland is likely in a better or comparable financial position to a similar professional in France — especially outside the most expensive French cities."

Interesting. So we are somewhat catching up finally
What I was saying. Hope you now see the problem with your statement.

Btw the average wage in France is 2 356 euros not almost 5K lol. Looking at things with such salaries doesn't reflect the reality in what most people are living into.
 
But that doesn't reflect the reality of things. I'm telling you how it is and why your statement comes as insensitive and selfish.

And I went to Paris for work a few month ago, trust me it felt like I was in some underdeveloped countries.

Like... this is in Paris:

There is plenty of examples. Once you go outside the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, it can be pretty... uh... surprising.


What I was saying. Hope you now see the problem with your statement.

Btw the average wage in France is 2 356 euros not almost 5K lol. Looking at things with such salaries doesn't reflect the reality in what most people are living into.

this is average in engineering. I asked chatgpt to compare on engineering.
I understand France is having some issues... not denying that.
And also - i feel like I've earned my selfishness. At least a little bit
 
this is average in engineering. I asked chatgpt to compare on engineering.
Yeah I get that, but that's not saying much since 99% if the population isn't going to make even half of that.

I understand France is having some issues... not denying that.
And also - i feel like I've earned my selfishness. At least a little bit
You do you, but saying games should cost more is still nonsense. Say "I'm ok with that because with my salary I am privileged" and that's it. No need to make big statement trying to turn them into facts.

Now I am privileged too, and I earned that with blood and sweat. Yet I'll never make fun or wish that people can't afford things, especially videogames or more globally leisure. We all want to escape/have fun/be touched by videogames. Some will say "it's optional! You don't need it" but thinking like this we don't need music, movies, books... etc. Just work eat sleep and repeat. But it that a life?

Those companies have record earnings every year, they don't need you tu push for this bullshit.
 
"poor people" are the idiots who spend $80 on every game that comes out, never questions things while agreeing to pay anything and then they're broke. "a fool and his money are soon parted" - Thomas Tusser
 
Nobody has to accept it. Nobody needs a video game to survive. The market will set the price that people are willing to pay.

We will either pay more for less, or straight up pay more.

Since the mid 90's the rapid expansion in the addressable market more or less subsidized the even more rapid rise in dev costs. Trouble is, the market is no longer expanding. The rise of things like F2P/GAAS has somewhat disguised this on balance sheets, but even that is flattening out.

Therefore if costs continue to increase, and yes they have to because inflation means that employees need to be paid more to maintain the same lifestyle, as well as ramping up outgoings on things like infrastructure etc...

Bottom line is pretty simple: As the prices of literally everything else rises, why would you expect games to be magically immune to the same economic forces?
ESPECIALLY when the thing (market growth) that's been offsetting this phenomenon for years is no longer in effect.
 
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I'll make it happen if : A. It's not a fuck up through launch into a new year and B. I'll wait til its on sale. I'm at that age now where I will wait, however long it takes...bonus being when I do invest, it'll be in way better shape than the inevitable (?) shit fest that launch was/will be. 😅
 
Being on PC i cant even remember the last time i paid $60 for a game, nevermind $80.
I certainly wouldnt pay that for Borderlands. I wouldnt even pay that for GTA 6 to be honest.
 
"gamers whining" What about YOUR whining?

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And what about the inflation that people have been subjected to for years? You are forgetting one essential thing: purchasing power has decreased very sharply over all these years, which means that people have less money to invest in leisure activities. What's this nonsense, even for you Rofif? Don't you think people would like to buy every game they are interested in even at $100 if they could? You are also forgetting the means put in place by these companies such as MTX, battle passes, season passes, etc. etc. Video games have never been as profitable as in recent years with record profits but yes, let's increase the price of games even more. What could go wrong?

Finally, it's not my fault if budgets are exploding because studios are over bloated, or if legendary studios like Bioware are pulling out turd after turd. If the games are "not profitable enough," maybe these publishers should consider making good games again, because good games make money.
Man, you're talking about inflation and rising living costs as if Take-Two were responsible for that.

They made a product, they charge whatever price they want, and if you think it's expensive, just don't buy it. This goes for billion-dollar companies and small businesses alike.

These complaints will only have any effect if the game's financial performance is below expectations because of its pricing, because that's what matters to Take-Two.
 
I have brazilian friends. They earn about as much as polish people. Currencies are/were semi close in value.
10$ is what it is.
It's your country fucking you over with tax.

70$ games in Poland are also not 70$ but closer to 90
This example of Brazil is funny, because in the last 10 years, the BRL has depreciated by approximately 90% against the dollar, yet somehow the problem is companies adjusting prices from $70 to $80 (a less than 15% increase).

To Brazilians: your government sucks, and the price of games should be the least of your concerns.
 
Man, you're talking about inflation and rising living costs as if Take-Two were responsible for that.

They made a product, they charge whatever price they want, and if you think it's expensive, just don't buy it. This goes for billion-dollar companies and small businesses alike.
Of course they can charge whatever they want. But Gearbox/T2 shouldn't act surprised if people don't buy it. Even if they do, maybe they would make more sales with a lower price, what do you think is better: sell 20 units at 80e, or 35 at 70? And my point is that those companies don't NEED it like some like to say, they make record profit each year. They are like a spoiled kid complaining at this point this is ridiculous.

These complaints will only have any effect if the game's financial performance is below expectations because of its pricing, because that's what matters to Take-Two.
Which is exactly why we should express our discontent, it's always better to express it than say nothing/Amen to everything. Not to mention than it could prevent further augmentation as Nintendo is already charging 80/90e for MK, we are talking about 100e for GTA6 so yeah, sky is the limit right?
 
Of course they can charge whatever they want. But Gearbox/T2 shouldn't act surprised if people don't buy it. Even if they do, maybe they would make more sales with a lower price, what do you think is better: sell 20 units at 80e, or 35 at 70? And my point is that those companies don't NEED it like some like to say, they make record profit each year. They are like a spoiled kid complaining at this point this is ridiculous.


Which is exactly why we should express our discontent, it's always better to express it than say nothing/Amen to everything. Not to mention than it could prevent further augmentation as Nintendo is already charging 80/90e for MK, we are talking about 100e for GTA6 so yeah, sky is the limit right?
Criticism is fine, but the problem starts when it turns into trying to dictate how things should be, how people should spend their money, how companies should price their products, or how they should manage their own budgets.

If someone thinks $80 is too expensive, that's totally fair, just don't buy it. But turning it into some moral crusade against those who do buy or against companies for wanting to profit is pushing it. The market runs on freedom of choice, and that goes both ways.

And about this whole 'sky is the limit' thing, it's really not. There's something called price elasticity of demand, which basically means that as prices go up, demand eventually goes down. That's why companies can't just raise prices endlessly without pushback.
 
I really don't like the rising costs of gaming but I appreciate that some publishers are using a sliding scale to price things more appropriately. Randy is certainly planting a flag with his statement, and comes across as a bit of a bellend. Maybe the next borderlands will earn its price tag but I'll certainly be waiting for a sale before jumping in. No way I'm paying that kind of money when you can wait a get a more polished experience at a lower cost.
 
Criticism is fine, but the problem starts when it turns into trying to dictate how things should be, how people should spend their money, how companies should price their products, or how they should manage their own budgets.

If someone thinks $80 is too expensive, that's totally fair, just don't buy it. But turning it into some moral crusade against those who do buy or against companies for wanting to profit is pushing it. The market runs on freedom of choice, and that goes both ways.
I can't blame the person who buy his game $80. I have an issue with the publisher crying stating "we NEED $80 games to survive" and chills defending this "muh poor people disgusting" or "poor multibillion companies that don't make enough money", what kind of stupid thinking is this? Totally 2 different things.

Btw there is multiple examples of AAA games rightfully priced like BG3: insane production value, great OST, fully voiced, tons of content etc etc... and it's $60. Not 80, not 70, but 60. And if there is a game that could push this price, it's BG3. Not Doom, not COD, not MK but BG3.

And again, do you think is better to sell 20 units at $80, or 35 at $70?

And about this whole 'sky is the limit' thing, it's really not. There's something called price elasticity of demand, which basically means that as prices go up, demand eventually goes down. That's why companies can't just raise prices endlessly without pushback.
Yeah and watch chills acting just like they do for $80. After that it's gonna be 90 (hi Nintendo) and then $100.

Once the mental barrier of $100 is overcome why not put it at 110? Then 120? I mean we already have premium edition at $110 so... It won't be in a year, not in 5 but who knows after that?
 
I don't mind paying $80 for a major Nintendo first party game because that game might drop to $70 five years from now, and I can sell it for $50 a decade from now.

I would never pay $80 for a Borderlands game because it will drop to $40 within five months.
 
I can't blame the person who buy his game $80. I have an issue with the publisher crying stating "we NEED $80 games to survive" and chills defending this "muh poor people disgusting" or "poor multibillion companies that don't make enough money", what kind of stupid thinking is this? Totally 2 different things.

Btw there is multiple examples of AAA games rightfully priced like BG3: insane production value, great OST, fully voiced, tons of content etc etc... and it's $60. Not 80, not 70, but 60. And if there is a game that could push this price, it's BG3. Not Doom, not COD, not MK but BG3.

And again, do you think is better to sell 20 units at $80, or 35 at $70?


Yeah and watch chills acting just like they do for $80. After that it's gonna be 90 (hi Nintendo) and then $100.

Once the mental barrier of $100 is overcome why not put it at 110? Then 120? I mean we already have premium edition at $110 so... It won't be in a year, not in 5 but who knows after that?
I agree with you that companies don't need to charge more just to survive, and that's even more obvious when you look at something like Mario Kart, knowing how much Mario Kart 8 sold. They'll always throw around excuses like rising costs, inflation, increased production values. And sure, some of that may be true.

But let's be real: you can't take profit maximization logic out of the equation. No company willingly leaves money on the table. If they believe they can charge $80 and still sell millions, they'll do it, not because they need to, but because they can.

As a consumer, all I want is a game that actually feels worth the price they're asking. I know there are plenty of cheaper options out there, and I won't hesitate to compare. So if they want to charge premium, then the experience better reflect that, otherwise, I'll just take my money elsewhere

As for the comparisons between price and quantity sold, Take-Two has almost certainly run all those simulations. They know the trade-offs. What they're doing now is likely testing how far they can push the price in their specific context. And even if the game doesn't perform well financially, we still wouldn't know for sure if pricing it at the standard $70 would've made a significant difference in the end, there's no guarantee that a $10 drop would have turned a flop into a hit.

And in the case of Baldur's Gate 3, you can bet their next game will be priced higher. Now that they've proven the value and seen the demand, there's no reason to expect the same price again.
 
I agree with you that companies don't need to charge more just to survive, and that's even more obvious when you look at something like Mario Kart, knowing how much Mario Kart 8 sold. They'll always throw around excuses like rising costs, inflation, increased production values. And sure, some of that may be true.

But let's be real: you can't take profit maximization logic out of the equation. No company willingly leaves money on the table. If they believe they can charge $80 and still sell millions, they'll do it, not because they need to, but because they can.
I... don't care. I'm talking as a consumer because that's what I am. Them making record profits every year is all I see. They will rise the prices as long as people accept it, so better voice our concern now.

As a consumer, all I want is a game that actually feels worth the price they're asking. I know there are plenty of cheaper options out there, and I won't hesitate to compare. So if they want to charge premium, then the experience better reflect that, otherwise, I'll just take my money elsewhere
Exactly, unfortunately quality in games (especially those who charge premium price and now $80) is declining heavily and for what I saw, no game at $80 justify it's price.

As for the comparisons between price and quantity sold, Take-Two has almost certainly run all those simulations. They know the trade-offs.
Maybe, but they still might be wrong about it. I'm sure they can get away with $90 GTA6 and I would understand it. I wouldn't pay this price, but it would make more sense than MK or BD4 at $80. That's a freakin joke.

What they're doing now is likely testing how far they can push the price in their specific context.
And again, this is why we better not let them go away with it.

And even if the game doesn't perform well financially, we still wouldn't know for sure if pricing it at the standard $70 would've made a significant difference in the end, there's no guarantee that a $10 drop would have turned a flop into a hit.
Of course we can't be sure by how much, but my point still stand as it would still be a big factor.

And in the case of Baldur's Gate 3, you can bet their next game will be priced higher. Now that they've proven the value and seen the demand, there's no reason to expect the same price again.
I really, really doubt that because Larian is one of the few studio left that still has some integrity. Next game is gonna be 60 IMO.
 
you read way too deeply into what I am saying.
And I am probably poorer than you but this is my hobby. if I spend 60$ or 70$ for a game, it doesn't matter. 10$ difference is not enough to make me reconsider my hobby.
I only buy a game every few months. Rarely more than 1 a month and usually I buy physical games which I can always find a bit cheaper from smaller retaielrs.

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Buying physical has saved me money too. I will say that even if it's just $10 more - I am perfectly willing to wait for a price drop. I've been doing that all along and enjoying the games in my library in the meantime.
 
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