Popular seven-year-old Steam game gets price increase due to inflation

[m4a4]

You do realize that games lower in price with time.

And why is that? Because they are "complete" and are no longer being worked on (desirability/popularity has gone down)? Or is it because you think only a shallow reason like the age should dictate the price?

Should something like World of Warcraft be dirt cheap by now because of it being released almost 20 years ago?

 

[winjer]

And why is that? Because they are "complete" and are no longer being worked on (desirability/popularity has gone down)? Or is it because you think only a shallow reason like the age should dictate the price?

Should something like World of Warcraft be dirt cheap by now because of it being released almost 20 years ago?

Why shouldn't they be cheaper.

 

[Feng Lengshun]

As someone living in a developing country, the price increase is whatever -- at least in our adjusted regional pricing.

I do find issue with the people dismissing those who have issues with the price increase. People's economic situations are not the same, and we're heading into uncertain economic climate, so I think it's understandable that a lot of people aren't thrilled with the price increase.

I'm pretty sure that the people who aren't thrilled are those who pirated the game and looking for a time to buy it. And those people are, well, probably more sensitive to pricing than others, let's just say. So it's pretty understandable, but hey, if the game is good and the price are properly adjusted to each region, then I won't really blame the devs for wanting more monetary stability.

 

[m4a4]

Why shouldn't they be cheaper.

You're avoiding answering the question.

Why should a game, that has ongoing development, be cheaper over time?

Is it only because you think a shallow reason of "age" should be applied?

 

[winjer]

You're avoiding the question.

Why should a game, that has ongoing development, be cheaper?

Is it only because you think a shallow reason of "age" should be applied?

Because all games drop in price, for decades.
So why shouldn't they drop in price?

 

[m4a4]

Because all games drop in price, for decades.
So why shouldn't they drop in price?

All games? I already gave you an example of a game that didn't. So, don't be disingenuous here and only use "age".

I already gave you a reason why they shouldn't. Now, give me a proper reason why a game that has active development should.

 

[winjer]

All games? I already gave you an example of a game that didn't. So, don't be disingenuous here and only use "age".

I already gave you a reason why they shouldn't. Now, give me a proper reason why a game that has active development should.

You agve one example, among thousands of games. And you think you have a strong argument to stand on and demand others to justify, something that is the normal for decades. Get over yourself.

 

[m4a4]

You agve one example, among thousands of games. And you think you have a strong argument to stand on and demand others to justify, something that is the normal for decades. Get over yourself.

Well, you've showed how greedy, shallow, and unreasonable you are (a stereotypical gamer). Easy to see you have no clue what you're talking about (despite the obvious context).
Anyways, no point arguing against childish logic anymore. Next time, answer the question honestly lol

 

[Kotters]

It should be noted that the developers intentionally did not include DRM, and pirated copies function perfectly fine even in multiplayer.

We have pretty much the same opinion with Kovarex regarding downloading the game from the torrents. If someone buys the game, well awesome. Don't really care whether he bought it straight away or tested it on the torrent first. If someone downloads it from the torrent, likes it / plays it, but never buys it - well not much we can do, at least he is having fun and maybe other people will learn about it this way (via him / her).

We try to provide a sort of "service" to motivate people to buy the game and don't just pirate it:
- automatic updater + relatively regular releases
- safety (some copies of Factorio on the torrents were bigger than the original - probably containing malware)
- maybe in the future using login to access the official multiplayer matching server

Very very greedy of them.

 

[winjer]

Well, you've showed how greedy, shallow, and unreasonable you are (a stereotypical gamer). Easy to see you have no clue what you're talking about (despite the obvious context).
Anyways, no point arguing against childish logic anymore. Next time, answer the question honestly lol

Now you resort to insults. Nice arguments.
In case you didn't notice games dropping in price is the normal for decades and decades now. Yet you think that other have to justify why this is, but not the other way around.
You are the one that has to justify why this should not happen, because you are demanding something out of the ordinary in the industry.

 

[wiak]

"and it's something many people can relate to: the devs don't want to reward those who hold off from buying Factorio at full price so they can get it cheaper later on; most of us know the annoyance of buying a game at full price only for it to be discounted a few weeks or months later."

You get the best game when you buy it months after release
1. Games are always a buggy mess on release, they NEVER LEARN?!
2. You get a much better performance and much better gameplay a few months after release
3. its cheaper, stupid ain't it?

I got sick of unfinished buggy games on release, its ridiculous, pay more on release and get a worse experience no thanks

also $70 for a game? dumb move

 

[jonny888]

Now you resort to insults. Nice arguments.
In case you didn't notice games dropping in price is the normal for decades and decades now. Yet you think that other have to justify why this is, but not the other way around.
You are the one that has to justify why this should not happen, because you are demanding something out of the ordinary in the industry.

"Being normal" is not a justification in and of itself, and is not an argument. There has to be a good reasons/reason for that normality.

He already tried to explain, with example, why the normality of decreasing price in games is due to those games being no longer developed or updated, and the devs have recouped their costs and just want to squeeze out remaining profit. He also gave a counter example which named a well known game which hasn't decreased in price (and month to month cost has increased) because of it's ongoing development .

He doesn't have to justify anything. It isn't his game. He didn't increase the price. He isn't the one complaining. You're the one who thinks something is wrong, and you haven't cited any actual reason why its wrong except that you don't personally like it and "it isn't normal". He was only asking that you provide something more substantial to support and explain your position.

(And granted, he gave up being polite about it)

 

[sreams]

Why shouldn't they be cheaper.

The answer is that should be whatever price the developer/seller wants then to be. Whether or not you buy it is a personal decision.

 

[winjer]

"Being normal" is not a justification in and of itself, and is not an argument. There has to be a good reasons/reason for that normality.

He already tried to explain, with example, why the normality of decreasing price in games is due to those games being no longer developed or updated, and the devs have recouped their costs and just want to squeeze out remaining profit. He also gave a counter example which named a well known game which hasn't decreased in price (and month to month cost has increased) because of it's ongoing development .

He doesn't have to justify anything. It isn't his game. He didn't increase the price. He isn't the one complaining. You're the one who thinks something is wrong, and you haven't cited any actual reason why its wrong except that you don't personally like it and "it isn't normal". He was only asking that you provide something more substantial to support and explain your position.

(And granted, he gave up being polite about it)

You really don't know why games drop in price?
It's a matter of demand. When a game releases, consumer demand is high. After a couple of months, demand drops off a cliff. So to counter that drop, companies will start reducing prices, to appeal to more consumers.

 

[Kotters]

You really don't know why games drop in price?
It's a matter of demand. When a game releases, consumer demand is high. After a couple of months, demand drops off a cliff. So to counter that drop, companies will start reducing prices, to appeal to more consumers.

And they've detailed several times before that their sales are steady, without the need for sales or reducing the normal price. Market forces. Unlike a lot of developers, they're upfront with their pricing at all times. No sales FOMO or surprise changes, no DRM lockouts or GaaS garbage, no MTX or subscriptions or battlepasses or anything.

The game costs 30, now 35 dollars. Buy if you like it. Don't if you don't. Pirate if you still want to play. Simple.

 

[dangh]

You do realize that games lower in price with time. Except this one.

I do realize that we have a free market and there is no rules for lowering prices. If you don't want it, then do not that game, it is simple as that.
And no, there are many other games which do not decrease prices with time, Rimworld on top of my head and I really don't care about this.
Most of the games which have deceased price are games with no support, patches and no ongoing development.

 

[Aus spot]

Lots of reasons for the price rise being discussed and none of them matter in the end.

We live in a free market world for the most part. They can charge what ever they want. You are free to buy or not at the price offered.

EOD

 

[punctualturn]

We are really living in the twilight zone.

Companies are raping our wallets without lube and people are actually attacking others that want the consumer to get a break?

Holy cr@p, this is insane.

Games, goods, electronics, everything drops in price after tima has passed since r&d, investment etc was recouped and the rest is simply profit.

Yeap, twilight zone indeed.

 

[Marco Mint]

It's like printing money, without needing paper or ink. Unless of course, the price of 1's and 0's has gone up recently.
They can do anything they like with the price as far as I'm concerned as it holds no interest for me.

 

[Eldritch]

Companies are ra**** our wallets without lube and people are actually attacking others that want the consumer to get a break?

That is indeed the saddest part. Sign of broken people with no self identity beyond stuff they play, own or watch.

 

[zavrix]

I think it depends on if the game is still being updated or new content being produced for it, if not that increase is just a load of BS. The developer isn't paying anyone anymore if not being updated and the game is seven years old.

 

[ZedRM]

That is not "inflation". It's just opportunistic greed.

No, it's inflation. Post pandemic effects have caused a great many economic problems and games prices are NOT immune. Anyone whining about spending an extra $5 on a game is likely needing to examine their priorities a little closer..

 

[punctualturn]

Anyone whining about spending an extra $5 on a game is likely needing to examine their priorities a little closer..

Its not the money, its the principle and precedence.

 

[ZedRM]

Its not the money, its the principle and precedence.

It's the money. Only someone completely at a loss of logic and reason will complain about $5 out of $30 with inflation the way it is.

 

[Kotters]

You're fighting the wrong fight if you're worried about principles. The gaming industry has long normalized far more sinister financial practices in gaming. Most people don't bat an eye anymore as they buy season passes, preorder AAA games, and spend on premium currency for lootbox gachas.

Worry about FIFA before you go after 30 dudes with an autism simulator.