Sony's insane EU pricing

super_furry

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2009/10/08/%E2%80%98heads-up%E2%80%99-playstation-store-update-8th-october-2009/comment-page-3/#comment-29127

€39.99 (that’s $59) for Prinny: Can I really be the Hero? When it’s $9.99 in the US Store. €29.99 for Holy Invasion Of Privacy Badman! $9.99 in the US PSN Store.

It's crazy stuff like this that means I'd never go near a download only handheld like the PSP Go. Thank God for US PSN cards, but how long before they put a region lock on them when the price differences are this massive?

Otacon

Well, there's two games I won't be buying for a while!

I haven't seen too many of these pricing differences before but I just hope its not a trend.

noodler

Always was going to be a problem, another reason the GO is a bad idea.

No competition is a bad thing.

chrislad

Hmmmmm.

The Go is aimed at a tech savvy person, not your average gamer. Said tech savvy people use the internet. A lot. Doesn't really make much business sense. Assume that 10 people buy it at 30e. How many people would buy it at 10e?

GothPunk

noodler wrote: »

No competition is a bad thing.

How is it anything to do with competition? The prices listed in the OP are from the PSN, just in America, where they are having a sale. On the EU PSN, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is on sale for 2 weeks at €21. It's not on sale on the US store, it's $30. Prinny and Badman have also been on sale in the US for longer (February for Prinny in the US, June here; July for Badman in the US, this week is it's first week of release here). It's nothing to do with Sony as the publishers decide the prices of their content on the store. Even if the PSN was the only means of distribution, publishers have to compete with each other - I'm sure NIS America have gotten a one-up on other publishers by having a sale on the US PSN last week. Sony have now and have in the past had sales on older games on the store. If anything the Go has given the PSP PSN a kick up the arse with regards to things being discounted.

What is it with all the FUD about digital distribution that's completely unsubstantiated? I'm somewhat skeptical of digital distribution as well, but when you consider the facts you'll find stuff isn't more expensive on the PSN - it either has parity with RRP or it's cheaper than retail in some cases. Considering you can have digital content on up to 5 systems it allows you more freedom, and if you prefer the pricing in the US, there's absolutely nothing stopping you from using the US PSN store.

Publishers have been shafting Europeans for years, it's nothing new. With hard copies of games, I import. For digital downloads, I use my American account.

super_furry wrote: »

Thank God for US PSN cards, but how long before they put a region lock on them when the price differences are this massive?

They'll never put a region lock on accounts this gen - the PSP is portable, what are they going to say to people who travel? "Sorry you can't spend money on the PSN when you're in a different country"? The only way this would change would be with pressure from publishers, whom I don't see cracking down on the importing of hard copies of games. Again, more unfounded FUD about digital distribution. I understand, times are a changing and it's super scary, but be realistic.

super_furry

GothPunk wrote: »

How is it anything to do with competition?

Because PSP Go owners have no choice where they buy their games from. They can't shop around, go to a different store, try and pick it up second hand or from eBay. If you want a game for the PSP Go, you HAVE to buy it from the PSN Store, and you're at the whim of Sony's daft prices.

Also, FUD?

CombatCow

But like GothPunk said, you can get it from the US store no problem in this case for $9.99, you just shop around, like you would in bricks n' mortar stores.

I buy 90% of my stuff from the US psn store, but i'd allways check the Irish store aswell just to see if it's cheaper or is there's a sale on the game.


CC

GothPunk

super_furry wrote: »

Because PSP Go owners have no choice where they buy their games from. They can't shop around, go to a different store, try and pick it up second hand or from eBay. If you want a game for the PSP Go, you HAVE to buy it from the PSN Store, and you're at the whim of Sony's daft prices.

Also, FUD?

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. A good example would be all the crap made-up or falsely represented about the Lisbon Treaty.

Anyway, did you read my post? Publishers control the prices, not Sony. The Sony published games are usually among the cheapest on the store as they've been in most of the sales.

Like I said already - no publisher acts in isolation - they are competing with each other on the PSN for our money. Capcom has put Monster Hunter up for sale on the PSN here, NIS America put their games on sale on the US PSN last week? If there's no competition why are they putting on sales?

It's a two-way street. Sure I can't sell my copy of Motorstorm PSP on eBay, but I also don't need to buy two copies to play adhoc with the OH - I just connected her PSP to the PS3 and 'hey presto' multiplayer. In our house we have two copies of many PSP games (e.g. Monster Hunter, Naruto 1 and 2 and Tekken PSP). With Sony's system of digital distribution, I only need one copy for us to play multiplayer (well, without pirating).

I bought Jeanne D'Arc on eBay a year ago due to a recommendation from our Retr0 and a few other people online. I waited for nearly three weeks for the games to arrive, but it was worth it because it's a great game. Jeanne D'Arc wasn't on the US PSN at the time, but it is now and is available for cheaper than what I got it for. I had to import Jeanne D'Arc as it hasn't even been released in Europe. With digital distribution, I can import games near instantly.

You're just focusing on the negative and acting like there are no positives. You're also making up bogus 'what-if' scenarios like Sony blocking us from buying content from other stores for no particular reason.

Everything has it's pro's and cons, that's all I'm saying.

super_furry

Yes, that's all well and good but my PSP 3000 can do all that without being restricted to just the PSN Store for games. I'm not against digital downloads per se, I'm against them being the only option the user has.

Gummy Panda

That is insane!

Its a niche game that retailers discounted the ass out of to get rid of it. I remember it was in a gamestop 2 for 30 deal. You can buy the umd on the net for 20 euro.

Eu psn is a bit crap to be honest.

noodler

GothPunk wrote: »

How is it anything to do with competition? The prices listed in the OP are from the PSN, just in America, where they are having a sale. On the EU PSN, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is on sale for 2 weeks at €21. It's not on sale on the US store, it's $30. Prinny and Badman have also been on sale in the US for longer (February for Prinny in the US, June here; July for Badman in the US, this week is it's first week of release here). It's nothing to do with Sony as the publishers decide the prices of their content on the store. Even if the PSN was the only means of distribution, publishers have to compete with each other - I'm sure NIS America have gotten a one-up on other publishers by having a sale on the US PSN last week. Sony have now and have in the past had sales on older games on the store. If anything the Go has given the PSP PSN a kick up the arse with regards to things being discounted.

What is it with all the FUD about digital distribution that's completely unsubstantiated? I'm somewhat skeptical of digital distribution as well, but when you consider the facts you'll find stuff isn't more expensive on the PSN - it either has parity with RRP or it's cheaper than retail in some cases. Considering you can have digital content on up to 5 systems it allows you more freedom, and if you prefer the pricing in the US, there's absolutely nothing stopping you from using the US PSN store.

Publishers have been shafting Europeans for years, it's nothing new. With hard copies of games, I import. For digital downloads, I use my American account.

They'll never put a region lock on accounts this gen - the PSP is portable, what are they going to say to people who travel? "Sorry you can't spend money on the PSN when you're in a different country"? The only way this would change would be with pressure from publishers, whom I don't see cracking down on the importing of hard copies of games. Again, more unfounded FUD about digital distribution. I understand, times are a changing and it's super scary, but be realistic.

It doesn't matter if Sony chooses the price or the publishers do, they are, in many cases, a joke. I mean Play chooses the prices of the products it sells but they are originally set by the RRP the publisher sets.

Basically what is happening, your current and more than likely temporary PSN example aside, is that prices will just stay at their RRPs for even longer.

I don't see how you listing two places to get games (PSN EU AND PSN US) really resolves the competition issue. I do note your Monster Hunter example but I have no doubts a more thorough investigation will still show PSN prices on both PS3 and PSP games to be far above the price they are available from online retailers.

Time will tell, but I imagine it means the days of PSPGo owners finding a PSP bargain (or obviously second hand game) will be gone.


There are some benefits. Notably, for me anyway, a game will still be available from PSN at a relatively static price whether or not physical copies of the game are in short supply (rare).

EDIT: If you gameshare on the PSP, don't you have to login with the person who originally purchased the material? I mean doesn't that mean you need access (password etc) to their account on a 24/7 basis if you ever want to play said game?

Gummy Panda

according to xe.com, buying the US version is pretty much the same price as EU special offer version.

I'd buy US since most of my games are US already.

Niall0

So if you have a psp go you can only buy games off Sony? Not the most ideal situation.

Gummy Panda

Terrible update. If it keeps this up the psp go is going to bomb hard. Capcom are drip feeding their legacy titles on psn which seems kinda silly considering how old they're.

I'll give it a few more weeks but if it continues to be as bad i'm selling the go. Only cost me 70 in cash.

Also starting to get pissed how sony treat eu. If it doesn't improve, this could be my last playstation generation.

AnCapaillMor

You're surprised, europe is always getting screwed. don't know what its like now but steam was ridiculous at one after they regionised it.

GothPunk

super_furry wrote: »

Yes, that's all well and good but my PSP 3000 can do all that without being restricted to just the PSN Store for games. I'm not against digital downloads per se, I'm against them being the only option the user has.

I completely understand that, but as we're freely able to use the US, UK and JP PSN store, we're still able to shop around somewhat. Only yesterday Amazon.com launched the US PSN store on their website, who are in control of pricing and can put on sales independently of publishers and Sony. It would be great if this would happen with the EU PSN and Amazon or a site like that.

noodler wrote: »

It doesn't matter if Sony chooses the price or the publishers do, they are, in many cases, a joke. I mean Play chooses the prices of the products it sells but they are originally set by the RRP the publisher sets.

I think you're missing my point - if you find the EU PSN prices a joke and only had a PSP Go, you can just use the much cheaper US or UK PSN stores.

noodler wrote: »

Basically what is happening, your current and more than likely temporary PSN example aside, is that prices will just stay at their RRPs for even longer.

Perhaps, but what evidence of this is there? I give you an example of games being sold lower than RRP and your response is "well that's just temporary". Either prices on the PSN are static or they're not; clearly they are not. For PS1 games, the PSN is clearly the cheaper option.

noodler wrote: »

I don't see how you listing two places to get games (PSN EU AND PSN US) really resolves the competition issue. I do note your Monster Hunter example but I have no doubts a more thorough investigation will still show PSN prices on both PS3 and PSP games to be far above the price they are available from online retailers.

Because publishers are competing with each other. If two tower defense games are available on the PSN, which are you going to go for? I bought Fieldrunners instead of PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe because PixelJunk was more expensive. You only have to look at how Steam has evolved to see how publishers compete with each other outside of a games launch window. For me, the PSN and the online retailers compete on price and convenience. Buying games from the US PSN means I get the game at US prices, I don't have to pay shipping or risk customs duty being charged on the game and I don't have to wait more than half an hour between clicking buy and playing the game.

noodler wrote: »

Time will tell, but I imagine it means the days of PSPGo owners finding a PSP bargain (or obviously second hand game) will be gone.

Except it's not seeing as NIS America put their games up for half price last week and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is available from the PSN cheaper than Play.com.

noodler wrote: »

There are some benefits. Notably, for me anyway, a game will still be available from PSN at a relatively static price whether or not physical copies of the game are in short supply (rare).

This is why I think it will be great to have PS2 and Dreamcast games up on the PSN.

noodler wrote: »

EDIT: If you gameshare on the PSP, don't you have to login with the person who originally purchased the material? I mean doesn't that mean you need access (password etc) to their account on a 24/7 basis if you ever want to play said game?

Yes that is true, but you could just create a seperate PSP game sharing account that everyone puts money into and buys games from. A PS3 or PC makes the process much easier.

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Terrible update. If it keeps this up the psp go is going to bomb hard. Capcom are drip feeding their legacy titles on psn which seems kinda silly considering how old they're.

I'll give it a few more weeks but if it continues to be as bad i'm selling the go. Only cost me 70 in cash.

Also starting to get pissed how sony treat eu. If it doesn't improve, this could be my last playstation generation.

It's not Sony, it's publishers, and it's nothing new. Take Square-Enix, Capcom, Atlus, NISA... who gets their games last? We do. This is not exclusive to the PSP, PSN or even the PSN, 360 or Wii. No console has all games released on the same day worldwide, be that digital or hard copy. Sometimes I wish the IE/UK/AUS/NZ markets were lumped in with the other English speaking countries so we could get our games day and date with them - but we'd still probably import to get them cheaper anyways.

There are about 35 more minis planned for release before the end of the year, and your reward program games are locked to your PSP Go (at least I'm pretty sure they are from what I've read). I'd give the PSP Go a bit more time than a couple of weeks, I too am hoping for some bigger updates, the US update this week was woeful.

Gummy Panda

GothPunk wrote: »

It's not Sony, it's publishers, and it's nothing new. Take Square-Enix, Capcom, Atlus, NISA... who gets their games last? We do. This is not exclusive to the PSP, PSN or even the PSN, 360 or Wii. No console has all games released on the same day worldwide, be that digital or hard copy. Sometimes I wish the IE/UK/AUS/NZ markets were lumped in with the other English speaking countries so we could get our games day and date with them - but we'd still probably import to get them cheaper anyways.

There are about 35 more minis planned for release before the end of the year, and your reward program games are locked to your PSP Go (at least I'm pretty sure they are from what I've read). I'd give the PSP Go a bit more time than a couple of weeks, I too am hoping for some bigger updates, the US update this week was woeful.

Sorry Goth, but Kaz himself said there would be plenty of titles on PSN. We haven't even got most of the old ones. Yeah its the publishers but its up to sony to make a deal with them to get these titles on PSN.

The lack of communication on titles coming to PSN is shocking. After seeing last night's update, it felt like a bait and switch approach.

GothPunk

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Sorry Goth, but Kaz himself said there would be plenty of titles on PSN. We haven't even got most of the old ones. Yeah its the publishers but its up to sony to make a deal with them to get these titles on PSN.

The lack of communication on titles coming to PSN is shocking. After seeing last night's update, it felt like a bait and switch approach.

I read an interview with Eric Lempel on Joystiq about last weeks PSP Go launch. Apparently "We've seen, basically, our largest number of downloads ever for a week's time period. It was our second highest week of revenue in the history of PlayStation Network." I would like to think from that they're thinking, hey, maybe we should get some more bleedin content out there. Where's Dissidia?

I hear ya about Kaz, they certainly did some juggling with the '300 PSP games' statement.

noodler

GothPunk wrote: »

I completely understand that, but as we're freely able to use the US, UK and JP PSN store, we're still able to shop around somewhat. Only yesterday Amazon.com launched the US PSN store on their website, who are in control of pricing and can put on sales independently of publishers and Sony. It would be great if this would happen with the EU PSN and Amazon or a site like that.

I think you're missing my point - if you find the EU PSN prices a joke and only had a PSP Go, you can just use the much cheaper US or UK PSN stores.

Perhaps, but what evidence of this is there? I give you an example of games being sold lower than RRP and your response is "well that's just temporary". Either prices on the PSN are static or they're not; clearly they are not. For PS1 games, the PSN is clearly the cheaper option.

Because publishers are competing with each other. If two tower defense games are available on the PSN, which are you going to go for? I bought Fieldrunners instead of PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe because PixelJunk was more expensive. You only have to look at how Steam has evolved to see how publishers compete with each other outside of a games launch window. For me, the PSN and the online retailers compete on price and convenience. Buying games from the US PSN means I get the game at US prices, I don't have to pay shipping or risk customs duty being charged on the game and I don't have to wait more than half an hour between clicking buy and playing the game.

Except it's not seeing as NIS America put their games up for half price last week and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is available from the PSN cheaper than Play.com.

This is why I think it will be great to have PS2 and Dreamcast games up on the PSN.

Yes that is true, but you could just create a seperate PSP game sharing account that everyone puts money into and buys games from. A PS3 or PC makes the process much easier.

It's not Sony, it's publishers, and it's nothing new. Take Square-Enix, Capcom, Atlus, NISA... who gets their games last? We do. This is not exclusive to the PSP, PSN or even the PSN, 360 or Wii. No console has all games released on the same day worldwide, be that digital or hard copy. Sometimes I wish the IE/UK/AUS/NZ markets were lumped in with the other English speaking countries so we could get our games day and date with them - but we'd still probably import to get them cheaper anyways.

There are about 35 more minis planned for release before the end of the year, and your reward program games are locked to your PSP Go (at least I'm pretty sure they are from what I've read). I'd give the PSP Go a bit more time than a couple of weeks, I too am hoping for some bigger updates, the US update this week was woeful.

Early Adopter to the rescue!

Seriously though, the US store isn't an option for alot of people who aren't in the know but thats immaterial. Aren't the lower prices you are quoting on the US store only because of a current sale? I mean what kind of long term proof is that? Again two suppliers (US or EU) does not constitute competition or anything like it.

You seem to think/say that prices because prices have come down on the PSN once in a blue moon that this is evidence that they are not static? Come on out of that.

Arguing the PSN and online retailers do compete on prices? Where on earth are you getting that from? Did we not agree just a couple of months ago that Siren and Wipeout (which had been out for ages) were still at their RRPs on PSN in April? How on earth does one sale in the US store prove that that PSN competes with online retailers?

GothPunk

noodler wrote: »

Seriously though, the US store isn't an option for alot of people who aren't in the know but thats immaterial. Aren't the lower prices you are quoting on the US store only because of a current sale? I mean what kind of long term proof is that? Again two suppliers (US or EU) does not constitute competition or anything like it.

Make that three - Amazon.com sell their stuff now, you'd know that if you'd read my post properly. How else are publishers going to push their games ahead of others without sales, bundles etc?

noodler wrote: »

You seem to think/say that prices because prices have come down on the PSN once in a blue moon that this is evidence that they are not static? Come on out of that.

Once in a blue moon? Care to quantify or qualify that with some facts? The PSN has had plenty of discounts this year, it seemingly has more now than ever before.

noodler wrote: »

Arguing the PSN and online retailers do compete on prices? Where on earth are you getting that from? Did we not agree just a couple of months ago that Siren and Wipeout (which had been out for ages) were still at their RRPs on PSN in April? How on earth does one sale in the US store prove that that PSN competes with online retailers?

Re-read my post, I was making a point about price not being the only deciding factor, e.g. convenience. The PSN does compete with online retailers - which is why I mentioned PS1 games - Their prices online have come down in the wake of each game being released on the PSN. Why would someone pay €40 for FFVII on eBay or Amazon when they can get it for €10 on the PSN?

Lol, Siren was discounted a while ago. Where are you getting this 'one-sale' from. I don't have time to list every single sale the PSN has ever had to make you accept that prices there aren't static, but off the top of my head: Siren and Super Stardust HD have been discounted, Rock Band tracks were discounted, in the US Capcom have a 2 bundles of loads of their games for cheaper than buying them individually, Resistance and Mirror's Edge map packs were made free. Pretty sure WipEout HD was discounted a while ago as well. Then there were those PSN Anniversary sale that were pretty good.

noodler

Okay GP I haven't got time to fence with you on the same points over and over again either.

My overall point still remains that if you have to buy your games from PSN over the next year and I get to buy them as UMDs from other sources then you will end up paying far more overall.

As an early adopter you seem to have made your mind up to the contrary though.

GothPunk

noodler wrote: »

Okay GP I haven't got time to fence with you on the same points over and over again either.

My overall point still remains that if you have to buy your games from PSN over the next year and I get to buy them as UMDs from other sources then you will end up paying far more overall.

As an early adopter you seem to have made your mind up to the contrary though.

So when you can't come up with facts to back up your position, you tell me you don't have time to discuss it? Okay :pac:.

Where are you getting this early adopter crap from? Do you mean I'm secretly regretting my purchase and pretending I like paying more for my games? I made my own personal position clear - myself and the OH own two copies of plenty of PSP games, now with DD I only have to buy one copy from the PSN. Instead of importing games from thehut.co.uk or videogamesplus.ca and paying shipping, I can buy from the US PSN - and thus saving me money. Even if I buy from the EU PSN I am saving money. I don't mind waiting for some games to be discounted before I buy them - I didn't buy PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe as the PixelJunk games have been discounted in the past so I'm going to wait. Getting 4 games free with the system was also pretty sweet.

I'm not some fanboy, I still have my FFVII PSP 2000 and I will still play it and will buy UMDs for it. It's CFW though so I can't play newer games on it, I've been using my Go for that. Do you really think I love my new piece of plastic and metal so much that I'll argue in favour of paying more for stuff? You're pretty much putting words in my mouth. All I was doing was asking people to consider the facts instead of buying into all this anti-DD stuff that's been doing the rounds.

Otacon

Are Amazon not also selling game codes for these games? I can't see why other retailers will not be able to do the same thing in future, including brick and mortar stores.

GothPunk

Otacon wrote: »

Are Amazon not also selling game codes for these games? I can't see why other retailers will not be able to do the same thing in future, including brick and mortar stores.

Yeah Amazon.com are selling codes, which apparently they have complete freedom over to discount, but as it only launched yesterday that remains to be seen. They are bundling their codes with purchases of hardware, so I'd say they will discount them from time to time. I think the only way we could buy them is if we use Entropay though as I think with purchases of PSN codes from Amazon you still need a US billing address.

As for the codes in stores, they have them in the US but I'm not sure if SCEE have released any. I hope they do as they'll give Go owners a chance of seeing discounts from retailers.

Gummy Panda

Otacon wrote: »

Are Amazon not also selling game codes for these games? I can't see why other retailers will not be able to do the same thing in future, including brick and mortar stores.

I buy from us store so do see value. I'm just pissed at the lack of legacy titles or lack of communication from sony. Whats crazy is the sony japan will have the best store out of the three and probably worse sales.

GothPunk

Gummy Panda wrote: »

I buy from us store so do see value. I'm just pissed at the lack of legacy titles or lack of communication from sony. Whats crazy is the sony japan will have the best store out of the three and probably worse sales.

It's a pity that Sony have SCE split into three different divisions like that, I know sometimes it worked in our favour last gen but now it's just hindering the PSN. The JP PSN does stuff so much better: More games, games, games. Discounted digital downloads compared to retail from launch. Proper previews of games.

I'm sure everyone has noticed that the PSN store updates aren't so punctual anymore - they used to be between 5 and 6PM and the past few weeks they've been pretty late and had a few issues (missing icons or problems purchasing). Games have even gone up for free by mistake. What's going on? Layoffs in the PSN division or something? Server issues?

noodler

GothPunk wrote: »

So when you can't come up with facts to back up your position, you tell me you don't have time to discuss it? Okay :pac:.

Where are you getting this early adopter crap from? Do you mean I'm secretly regretting my purchase and pretending I like paying more for my games? I made my own personal position clear - myself and the OH own two copies of plenty of PSP games, now with DD I only have to buy one copy from the PSN. Instead of importing games from thehut.co.uk or videogamesplus.ca and paying shipping, I can buy from the US PSN - and thus saving me money. Even if I buy from the EU PSN I am saving money. I don't mind waiting for some games to be discounted before I buy them - I didn't buy PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe as the PixelJunk games have been discounted in the past so I'm going to wait. Getting 4 games free with the system was also pretty sweet.

I'm not some fanboy, I still have my FFVII PSP 2000 and I will still play it and will buy UMDs for it. It's CFW though so I can't play newer games on it, I've been using my Go for that. Do you really think I love my new piece of plastic and metal so much that I'll argue in favour of paying more for stuff? You're pretty much putting words in my mouth. All I was doing was asking people to consider the facts instead of buying into all this anti-DD stuff that's been doing the rounds.

Whenever a point is addressed you comeback with the constructive "reread my post" - it doesn't help matters.

Lets go back to my original comment regarding competition and higher prices on PSN. You said "what has competition got to do with it?" - strange question as I thought the answer was plainly obvious but I'll go again.

You can only buy your PSP games (this Amazon thing is still in its infancy in fairness and even still 2 distributors don't make up a competitive market in any shape or form) from one place - Sony. You can dress up the whole EU/US thing all you want but the fact is a majority of people in the EU buy from the EU, if it were the other way around I am sure Sony would do more to stop people setting up US accounts.

Over the last 2 years most prices on PSP games and PS3 games (where there has been an equivalent Blu-Ray available for purchase) have been higher at release date on the PSN store than they are from online retailers in their physical form and remain higher even when the online retailers start to discount. This is the main bone of contention between us. If you dismiss this as nonsense becasue the US store is having a particularly good sale at the moment (relatively anyway) then we have the source of our disagreement.


How you are saving money in terms of shipping of 1 pound on a hut order by buying digital if the price of the game is twice as much on PSN is anybody's case by the way.

noodler

Some examples by the way:


NBA Live 10 (£29.99 / €39.99)

Its 32.50e on Play.

Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? (£31.99 / €39.99)

Its 32.50e on Play.

Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! (£23.99 / €29.99)

Its 23.50 on Play.


These are just prices I am getting on stuff just released from EG (PSN IS DOWN ATM). Paying more for less AND you can bet your sweet ass the prices from online retailers will drop quicker than on PSN.

To add to that even further, Play are hardly the cheapest online retailers around so I am sure you could do even better.

GothPunk

noodler wrote: »

Whenever a point is addressed you comeback with the constructive "reread my post" - it doesn't help matters.

Lets go back to my original comment regarding competition and higher prices on PSN. You said "what has competition got to do with it?" - strange question as I thought the answer was plainly obvious but I'll go again.

Okay now I understand. The reason I said it has nothing to do with competiton was when I was referring to the disparity between the EU and US prices of the Prinny and Badman games. Whilst I agree that the prices on the EU PSN are a joke a lot of the time, in the case of Prinny and Badman I was stating that they are bad examples to make this point about how sh!tty the EU PSN is. Prinny and Badman have been out in the US longer than they have here, and the price comparison was made between the US discounted prices and the EU launch prices (Thursday was the first day Badman has been available here). There's also the fact that Badman has not been released on UMD in the US, so I guess that factors into the price disparity somewhat as well.

What I was saying was to do with the price disparity between the US and EU PSN, not about the disparity between the EU PSN and retail in the same region. I thought the OP's price comparison was unfair.

noodler wrote: »

You can only buy your PSP games (this Amazon thing is still in its infancy in fairness and even still 2 distributors don't make up a competitive market in any shape or form) from one place - Sony. You can dress up the whole EU/US thing all you want but the fact is a majority of people in the EU buy from the EU, if it were the other way around I am sure Sony would do more to stop people setting up US accounts.

A model for a system like this already exists - the iPhone App Store. The prices there are all incredibly reasonable, as although you are buying the games (and fart aps :rolleyes:) from Apple, the publishers are competing with each other so that's where the competition lies. Apple has implemented different policies to ensure that the games are cheap (the quality of the App Store games is another matter altogether though). Sony have taken similar measures with the 'minis' program, but it's early days yet to see how that pans out. I'm all for skepticism of the download model, all I've been saying in this thread is that people are not really giving much rationale for such a degree of skepticism. DD has it's benefits as well as it's downsides.

noodler wrote: »

Over the last 2 years most prices on PSP games and PS3 games (where there has been an equivalent Blu-Ray available for purchase) have been higher at release date on the PSN store than they are from online retailers in their physical form and remain higher even when the online retailers start to discount. This is the main bone of contention between us. If you dismiss this as nonsense becasue the US store is having a particularly good sale at the moment (relatively anyway) then we have the source of our disagreement.

I never disagreed with that point, I was just disagreeing with the idea that the prices on the PSN are static and the PSN can't be cheaper than stores or online. When I shop around for a game I check everywhere, including the PSN. Each point of sale wins in a different area - PSN for PS1 and out of print games, online for new releases and stores for sales.

noodler wrote: »

How you are saving money in terms of shipping of 1 pound on a hut order by buying digital if the price of the game is twice as much on PSN is anybody's case by the way.

This is why I was saying re-read my posts - I've bought two UMDs of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, Tekken PSP, Naruto etc, so that me and the OH could both play multiplayer together. I don't need to buy two copies from the PSN as I can just copy it onto the OH's PSP. In this case, the PSN model saves me money as otherwise I would have bought more than one copy to play multiplayer. I realise that the PSN is more expensive if you're only buying games for yourself, but there are two PSP players at my place.

Basically my point is that yes, downloads can be pretty sh!t right now, but I think that all methods of distribution have their pro's and cons. The average consumer may be screwed with their PSP Go, I don't know, but for me the system works. Not just for convenience sakes but because it saves me money.