Weekly debate 1#: Is gaming becoming too expensive?

[bignds]

ok this is the first "weekly debate" and the idea is we take 1 key issue of gaming that has happened over the past week or time and discuss it until we have a clear answer to the debate question, if this proves to be popular we will carry this every week and so on, the conversation is closed on the 11th(6 days time) at which time anyone can PM for suggestion on as to what next weeks topic should be.
so with out any further a do will kick things off.

All 3 nex gens wont fully arive until around a year from now and already predicted prices are being thrown around eclipsing the prices some of us are willing to pay.
which brings us to the matter at hand, is gaming becoming too expensive?

[Fatvod]

I think so. I mean like 400 for a console?!? come ON! IM JUST A KID!

[Lkr]

Well, it is getting expensive. The Nintendo 64 prices for games were outrageous. Then, the games had a price drop, but the consoles became very very expensive. PS2 and XBOX started at $300 dollars and then stayed at $250 for a long time. That was thought to be expensive.

Now if we look at the technology for next gen consoles. Nintendo will add 512MB of Flash Memory. Also you can store old classic games. New innovative games, and an innovative way to play. Then you have the memory cards which can be expensive, cause they will be SDRAM cards. Nintendo's graphics will improve by keeping their partnership with ATI. And joining up with IBM may affect the price. My Estimated Price:$500-$600

Sony and Microsoft will look into graphics for the main part in Round 2. They will get better graphics chips and that will be it for them. Then they will both want that generation to end and another one to begin with better graphics. Games and price may be the problem that the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 encounter. XBOX 360 price:$700-$800 PS3:$700-$900.

Nintendo will win round two with ease. They will not only focus on realistic graphics, but they will have a resonable price, and great games. Innovative. They will bring classics characters like Mario and Zelda and try out some new characters. Miyamoto has had great success. He created the Mario and Zelda phenomenon and tried Nintendogs out. Nintendogs was a great hit. Nintendo will win hands down and at an affordable price.

Game wise. I expect XBOX 360 and PS3 games to be around $70-$80. Nintendo's will be around the current $50-$60. Nintendo will win the price category once again. The future is looking good for Nintendo. And Reggie WILL kick Microsoft and Sony's *** and take their names!

[bignds]

are you being serious $900? and games wise i dont see them going over £40 here in the UK as new releases retail at £30 here.

[Lkr]

in consoles they are 50 here and i am serious about 900. focusing on graphics makes them more expensive. Why the good core gaming PC's are over 1000

[bignds]

can anybody here get the prices of the original gen (PS1 and N64) so we can compare them to todays, a UK and US version would be nice. thanks

[alex]

well it ust to be £40 and some still are so i wouldnet be supprised if the game prices went up again to 45-50

[Sepharite]

Well, it costs Sony about $1000 to make one PS3 and selling it at about 500 (not 900... I don't know where you got that from), means they're losing money. So, their software will be quite expensive. But then again, you have "mod" chips *HAR HAR HAR*

And PCs are expensive because they are "more" than just a gaming system.... and "more" is an understatment.

[Lkr]

Originally Posted by bignds

can anybody here get the prices of the original gen (PS1 and N64) so we can compare them to todays, a UK and US version would be nice. thanks

PS1 was about $30-$50. N64 could range from $50-$70. Hey You, Pikachu saw a $70 release along with Goldeneye.

[Neumie]

Console games are already too expensive and the price is probably going to increase in the next gen due to (as EA put it) higher development costs. im guessing €70 a pop for the big hitters and maybe €60 for lesser known games. this is insane. €60 is already pushing it. The cost of the machines themselves are fairly reasonable though in my opinion. I mean 3 ibm processors at 3.2 ghz and an ati chip going at 500Mhz with 512MB of ram and a wireless router for $300-500 is a good deal. A pc like that would set you back a fortune (probably about €2500-3000). but the games are becoming a bit too much.
If games prices continue to rise ill probably just forget about next gen consoles and invest in an outstanding PC and just buy PC and DS games. The PC may be expensive but it will last me a long time and the games are cheaper. DS games wont change. If prices stay the same then i might get one if the games are any good.