I gotta talk about computer games and their prices, someone help me...

[rockymountaindem]

I just got back from Best Buy. Now, admittedly they're a crappy, awful store and I didn't buy anything (I was there with other people). I as usual went to the computer game (PC games) department. That's when my blood pressure started to rise...

First of all, Rome: Total War was still $40, the same price I paid for it last December. It was released like a year ago and the price has not come down at all. Sim City 4 is also very expensive. That came out in 2003!!! Expansion packs for The Sims (first edition) were $20 for 2. The Sims came out in 2000, and some of those expansion packs are for shit. How can they honestly charge that much when The Sims 2 is sitting there right next to it? THAT costs $50, and the one expansion pack is $30. WTF? Is that ever going to come down, or is it gonna stay sky high like RTW?

Now, maybe I should cut them some slack (but I won't) because at least those are popular games. Right down the shelf were piles of games for $40. These included myriad "Tycoon" games, including some deranged shit called "Prison Tycoon" where you build and run your own private prison. There was also "Lemonade Stand" Tycoon... yes, for $40. Who in their right mind would by a lemonade stand game for $40. I wouldn't pay that much for a real lemonade stand! Then there were a ton of knights in shining armor games, that nobody will buy 'cause they suck, for $40. Even Age of Empires II (with expansion pack) was $25. Didn't that come out in 1998? So, not only is everybody copying each other and displaying no creativity, but it's insanely priced. Those games should be no more than $20. It's unreal. What is the matter with computer game companies. They're going to run themselves right out of popularity like the movie industry, and they're going to deserve it.

[rug]

1. I prefer checkers myself.

[lpbk2713]

2. Watch for the prices to come down right after Thanksgiving.

They're just making money off them while they can.

[alarcojon]

3. I'm with you

they're way overpriced. Battlefield Earth II is $50, and Age of Empires III will come out at $55. The adventure games (Syberia, Echo, Still Life, etc.) tend to be cheaper.

[MercutioATC]

4. Their pricing seems to be working for them...

I agree it's counterintuitive, but it's what the market will bear.