re: Anyone else think it's total BS that it cost the same to buy

Because gamers feel entitled.

PC downloads are always at least $10 cheaper than physical copies or console versions on release.

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am i missing something? what game is being printed on blueray? (thats a serious question btw, i do everything digital)

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PS3.

So basically you console heathens are bitching about $4 in shipping costs, some of which are offset by increased tech costs to provide download bandwidth and support?

Lulz

I mean...stout said it. DD on PC is $10 cheaper than physical copies on PC and Consoles.

Why can't the same be true for console exclusives?

I think his point is this:

You are charging "x" amount of dollars for a physical disc, in a box, with a physical instruction booklet.

For a digital copy, they are still charging "x" amount of dollars even though their cost to have a disc, a booklet, a box, then ship it to best buy, gamestop, etc... is non existent now.

Basically he is insinuating that the physical components of a game are included in "x" price, therefore we should be charged less because the cost of all the aforementioned parts of the product don't exist with a digital copy.

I think someone here made a good counter-point to that, stating what they save in cost for the physical disc, box, etc... they use for bandwith or whatever else they have to do to make the game available for download.

The method of getting you, the customer, the game is different, but the cost(s) remain the same nonetheless.

please read all other responses... not only is that a straw man argument, but you still have the fact that markup on resail is eliminated, they have very good reason because the more they sell digitially the less they have to worry about being resold, finally because you already see it on the PC.

JCole is basically arguing that a company doesnt owe you jack shite because their main goal is to maximize profits. which is true overall but not that simple, but the concept of passing savings to customers isnt crazy especially when they benefit from now only gained loyalty but a decrease in used game sales.

You are making alot of assumptions on pricing. Look what happened with ea, think they were ready for the simcity release? That was lack of bandwidth and tech dept was overwhelmed

I got a download code for skyrim for $15 and the cheapest I saw it anywhere else was ~$30

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Same with digital download. You're assuming the cost of the disc is incorporated into the selling price, which it very well may be. However when you're offering a product via digital download, you can't just say "deduct the price of the discs, box, etc.." and that's a fair price, because as the seller you have to fund the new method of delivery.

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I am also saying that when avoiding reatilers like Best Buy, that markup dissapears. how much would you think that saves? $10? More?

Look at the success that XBLA games have....not only because they are avoiding the costs of physical media (which may be small) but also because they are avoiding the markup by retailers.

And again not to mention that DD versions of PC games are selling for $10 less than their physical counterparts.

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As far as customer loyalty, are you really not going to buy a certain game because you feel you should get a $5 discount?

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I'm not saying anyone is going to buy less games, but there is a bigger potential for people to buy more games digitally if there is that small savings. And with all the reaons I mentioned, you know that Sony/MS are making more money on DD games so why not encourage that method of purchase?

I have had the ability to buy a copy of all my new games on PSN...but I still go out and get that game at gamestop because not only does it cost the same, but am able to resell it. I can guarantee Sony would rather me buy it and download it on PSN so that I cannot resell it, so why not encourage DD.

Until DD prices come down you aren't going to see much of a dent in purchases of physical copies.