Why do console games cost more than PC games?

[Br0ken]

I was just wondering, if PC versions of games are usually superior in terms of graphics and some times features (map packs, customizable options, user content etc) why are the prices of the console version of the games usually, if not always, more expensive?

 

[Prowse]

I was just wondering, if PC versions of games are usually superior in terms of graphics and some times features (map packs, customizable options, user content etc) why are the prices of the console version of the games usually, if not always, more expensive?

Consoles are generally sold at a loss by the manaufacturer, they then claw-back the costs and (hopefully) proffits over the years as players buy games. PC games of course are not licenced by hardware manufacturers and are therefore cheaper in the shops. The console games are higher in price, however the hardware is much cheaper and generally will be more reliable and not need upgrading.

 

[deathtrap3000]

Consoles are generally sold at a loss by the manaufacturer, they then claw-back the costs and (hopefully) proffits over the years as players buy games. PC games of course are not licenced by hardware manufacturers and are therefore cheaper in the shops. The console games are higher in price, however the hardware is much cheaper and generally will be more reliable and not need upgrading.

Yeh there are licensing costs by the hardware makers ie Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo. Also the games usually cost more as they can take longer to make.

Then theres also the fact that the price has been £40/$60 for years and people still buy at that price so they arent going to change it if its the accepted price point for new games.

 

[Uridium]

Console games are a lot cheaper than they used to be. Yes the latest title on day of release is still usually around £40 for 360/PS3 but if you can wait a few weeks they usually drop to around the £20-£25 mark.

I rarely pay more than £20 for a game now.

 

[Rasczak]

why are the prices of the console version of the games usually, if not always, more expensive?

At a consoles launch, the hardware is partly subsidised and this is clawed back by the extra charge added onto the game - the business case being that over the life of the console, enough users will buy enough games with this added premium to re-coup that loss and turn a tidy profit.

Secondly, a console is a proprietary platform designed to make money for the platform owner as well as the game producer/distributor. Accordingly the 'console premium' covers the licence fee payable to Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo for release on that platform.

You shouldn't really compare it to the PC because it is a different business model. Ironically it is almost reversed - with the PC Nvidia and AMD pour money into the games developers to encourage them to support their latest/greatest new feature and therefore some hardware has a slight premium to accommodate that.

 

[Usama]

Console games are a lot cheaper than they used to be. Yes the latest title on day of release is still usually around £40 for 360/PS3 but if you can wait a few weeks they usually drop to around the £20-£25 mark.

I rarely pay more than £20 for a game now.

Same here, only the main games I will get on release like MW2 for example.

 

[Jay]

Some of the reason is pc games don't have the have the same licencing issue that consoles have.

Also there is no sdk needed for development of pc games.

And also piracy helps keep costs down, if they charged £50 per game it wouldn't improve piracy.

 

[namuk]

The Question is Why Do Console Owners pay for the DLC and Cheap Pc versions get it Free

 

[Razor]

Consoles are generally sold at a loss by the manaufacturer, they then claw-back the costs and (hopefully) proffits over the years as players buy games. PC games of course are not licenced by hardware manufacturers and are therefore cheaper in the shops. The console games are higher in price, however the hardware is much cheaper and generally will be more reliable and not need upgrading.

I wouldn't say that was the case. I have had 6 failed xbox 360's in under 18 months.

 

[Usama]

I wouldn't say that was the case. I have had 6 failed xbox 360's in under 18 months.

 

[24 P]

Don't forget that the 2 major players in the console war, ( I will leave out Wii, as it came on later), Xbox 360 and PS3 were losing money on the actual hardware and needed to price point their games accordingly to make up for loses.
This is no different to the Xbox or PS2 or other retro platforms.
I remember paying 100 AUD for an Atari 2600 game, that figure still remains, even higher, 119 for PS3 and Xbox360 new releases...
Piracy is rampant on all console and PC platforms, the only one that has managed this issue very well is PS3...
Also don't forget exclusive titles for above mentioned consoles, they can tie up apart of their budget purely for their own platform release..
Cost is burdened by the consumer.
In the end, wait long enough and you will get the AAA $ title much cheaper 3 - 6 months down the track..

 

[LJx]

PC games are much easier to pirate, so far less people would buy them if they were more expensive