Interesting article on game price increases

[Melf]

Next Gen's (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=274&Itemid=2) site has a cool article about the likely increase in game prices. One particular paragraph caught my eye:

There is no reason why games, like books, cannot be offered at a wide variety of prices dictated by the quality of the product. No one feels odd about paying more for a big format hardback than for a little paperback. Although the physical difference is obvious, it all ultimately comes down to development costs.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. There are games that are definitely worth the full price, and those that are worth less. A range of prices would be easier on the gamer's wallet, to say the least.

[Genesis Knight]

But it still will take the same amount of money (in general) to produce a lame game as a good game. Granted, some games will take much longer to make and therefore chew more resources, but in general games--lame or good--take a similar amount of time to make and money to manufacture.

Therefore they will cost the same.

[j_factor]

Aren't games already a wide variety of prices? I paid $10 for Ribbit King and $60 for Trizeal. That's a big enough range, IMO.

[Drixxel]

I think this has mainly to do with original price upon release. Stores can get a bit zany with their discounting as time draws onward. I mean, good lord, just a few weeks ago my local EB was selling Metroid Prime 2: Echoes for $19.97 Canadian, new. These discounted Prime 2's were positioned only a few feet from the used Prime 2's selling for $39.95..
EB.. so crafty.