Seriously SE???

[Gramul]

SE wants to make money on their game. Microtransactions in mmos is just how the genre has evolved and gaming in general. This isn't like 10 years ago where you payed 1 sub fee and got everything. Now if you want extras you have to pay more. You are not required to buy the extra stuff if you don't want but its there mainly to make them money which is the goal of any game company.

I get that. But my question is, why have we allowed it? Why are we okay with companies charging us more and more for less and less?

[ExiaQuanta]

I was pretty sure something like Star Craft II Heart of the Swarm was like 39.99 at release. So I thought something like this is reasonable.

[Andevom]

SNES games used to cost around $80, just sayin'.

[Zaft]

I get that. But my question is, why have we allowed it? Why are we okay with companies charging us more and more for less and less?

It's not really "us." Most companies that use micro-transactions don't make much off the general populace, they make money off "whales," or people who buy everything with no regard for cost. It's not as bad here, but in games like Clash of Clans, some people spends thousands per night.

[CrystalRainbow]

If you wait 6 months it will be 19.99. but you will be 6 months behind everyone else. the choice is yours.

[Black91CRX]

Game was 39.99 when I bought it at launch for ps3.

[Magis]

>_> J40.00 is a bit much imo, I remember when expansions were 20.00 (pre-WoW), so no, they haven't been "that way for ages", they've just been like it since WoW.

You mean like FFXI? Chains of Promathia was $29.99 released in 2004 before WoW was released.

http://www.square-enix.com/na/compan...2004/21092004/

So $10 increase after 10 years? Now how much content is in Heavensward we don't know but if there is more content than CoP, price may be justified.

Edit: Actually, funny enough the original price was $49.99, so in fact, Heavensward is cheaper than pre-WoW expansions at launch lol.

The Chains of Promathia expansion pack will be available in North America for $29.99 (USD). With the popularity of the title and the desire to expand the PlayOnline user base even further, FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows is now available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 (USD). The successful sales and subscription base in Japan and North America have allowed for a lower MSRP, which was reduced from an original MSRP of $49.99 (USD).

[kyuven]

I get that. But my question is, why have we allowed it? Why are we okay with companies charging us more and more for less and less?

Because we understand that content is expensive. The content in paid-for expansions has actually increased, not decreased. A standard actually set by WoW (which has included, at a minimum, a dozen new zones and dungeons a level cap increase, and a new race and/or class with each expansion) and Guild Wars.
There was a time, an expensive time, when MMOs would charge $30 for an expansion that was basically some new zones and equipment.
For example, EverQuest's Scars of Velious and Shadows of Luclin expansion probably contain between the two of them the amount of content we'll be receiving during 3.0. Each of those retailed for $30, and neither included a level cap increase. In fact the major selling point for SoL was the introduction of new character models, something WoW and DAOC basically just gave away for free.
So yeah, things have gotten better as to what is acceptable to charge $40 for, not worse. We're getting THREE new jobs! The only other game I know of that's done that in a single expansion was FFXI, and they didn't include a new race. Basically, we're getting in one expansion the same number of things WoW players got in three. For about the same price as one.

[Zenaku]

You mean like FFXI? Chains of Promathia was $29.99 released in 2004 before WoW was released.

http://www.square-enix.com/na/compan...2004/21092004/

So $10 increase after 10 years? Now how much content is in Heavensward we don't know but if there is more content than CoP, price may be justified.

Edit: Actually, funny enough the original price was $49.99, so in fact, Heavensward is cheaper than pre-WoW expansions at launch lol.

Heavensward wont have as much as COP at release. Reason? look at whitegate for FFXI when it was release we had to wait months each time for new mission to be release. Its going to happen with Heavensward we buy the access for it but then we have to wait every 3 month for a new part of the heavensward storyline. Which would take us to 4.0 version who knows if 4.0 going to release other pack or maybe 5.0 that mean 1-2years of waiting for patch to get heavenward story done.

Vs COP which i believe had every mission and story on it from day one.

[Raist]

im bored, so going to post the link for each time this is asked. https://store.na.square-enix.com/pro...rd-pc-download

That link appears to be broken or something:



Bouncing around the site, I didn't see a published price... just an icon for getting on a "Waiting List" for the Heavensward Collector's Edition.

In the past I've seen places put up a price to protect themselves in the event it gets released on the high side, but it actually winds up being less when released. There will often be a disclaimer of sorts where they will not bill you the full price until it is released or even until it ships--they may put a deposit of like $5 or something to reserve your copy though.

Need to read the fine print sometimes.

For instance, look at Gamestop's listing for it ($39.99 posted):
http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/fin...ensward/119872

But read the fine print down below the price:

Billing does not occur until shipment is processed.
Pre-order low price guarantee. More info.

When you click the "more info" link, you get a pop up that says this:

Pre-order any product and if the price drops before the release date, you will be charged the lower price. Online orders are not billed until your shipment is processed, so pre-order today.