301: Strapped for Cash

[Skratt]

The hardest part about going "on a budget" from not being on a budget is the wait. If you are buy now, buy buy buy, the newest and latest, then when you start the wait for titles to go down in price can be hell.

For me it was easy - my gaming was cut from every day to once per week. This made it extremely difficult to justify new game prices. Now that I can play more often, I am used to waiting for games to be discounted.

I still buy the occasional new title - but only if there is a MP aspect that I want to play. If you wait too long on some games, the MP dries up and blows away.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Unless it's a game I just 'HAVE' to have, I've been fairly consistent as of late of waiting many months for the price to drop.

A few things I've noted by waiting:

1) I always check Amazon 'Deal of the Day' under video games. A little luck will grab you a fairly new game for $39.99 if I just check every day.

2) Waiting 6 month and even sometimes 9 month will get me the original game + DLC and map packs for a reduced price. I literally just got both Borderlands and GoW 2 'Game of the Year' editions for $19.99 each. If I would have bought one of these on Day one ($59.99) plus the DLC and map packs as they came out, I figure I would have spent at least $75-80 each.

3) I even look at GameStop. Picked up a brand new Dead Space for $16.99 and it's in mint condition.

4) Many times, by waiting a few month, you'll be surprised how many patches and updates were released and often my 1st experience is generally superior to those that got it day one, because now the bugs are fixed.

A GameFly membership can pay for itself with a single sale. I picked up many a game for $15 or less on one of their sales, and the game is often brand new.

 

[AlexLoxate]

Gaming in Serbia is not easy by any means. Newly released titles go from about 70 Euros, and what they consider to be bargains are really not even close in terms of price. When I bought my 360, I had no idea how to acquire games. That is when I discovered importing. I can only do this with a handful of sites, but the prices are absolutely amazing. I can get a game that was released only a few months ago for about 50%-60% of it's initial price. Of course, occasionally, I like to save up for a new release (i.e. LA Noire).

Importing is excellent. However, not being part of the EU can hit that potential. The problem is customs. About 99% of the time I had no problems, but I remember ordering Black Ops which was about 40 Euros at Play-Asia when it was released, only to get a customs bill of about 18 Euros. Fortunately, I haven't had this problem since. Most of the people that play games here do tend to pirate them. Mostly it's because of pure ignorance, and not realizing the importance of purchasing games and other software. Many say that this is because they have low income, however, with an income that is about 40% lower than the average wage, I've managed to purchase an Xbox 360, an additional wireless controller, and a library of some 20+ games in just over 2 years. Now, I can't afford Live Gold but if there's a game that I really want to play online, I can get at least a month.

It's all about priority. The best tactic is to always have at least 20 Euros on your account and the great deals will come (i.e. Red Dead Redemption for 20 Euros).

 

[bdcjacko]

I have not paid over $30 for a video game (besides RDR which I had to get the day it came out) in over 3 years.

 

[yanipheonu]

Reminds me of living in the Phillipines for a month.

Trying to find a legit copy of a game. THEY DON'T EXIST THERE. And I'm not talking about some shitty stall, I'm talking about biggest mall in that part of Asia, huge chain store, every game is pirated.

It's not even unobvious pirating, I'm pretty sure Nintendo didn't make a 26 games in one DS cartridge... or Pokemon Citadark Version with the kid from Pokemon XD on the cover.

Though it makes sense I guess, the consoles and actually legit games are UBER expensive.

 

[OldNewNewOld]

I agree with what this guy has to say, but did anyone else find this article really depressing?

I found it especially depressing since the situation in my country is even worse.

The average salary is around 481.95$ while prices are like in other EU countries. Games are even more expensive then in EU countries. I know that Crysis 2 was around 80$ when it came out. Getting it shipped from some EU country isn't an option since most shops don't ship, or require additional payment which makes it almost the same cost, just with longer waiting time.

So yeah.... gaming in my country is really depressing.

 

[Sandytimeman]

Wait a min wait a min. The current exchange rate for Zlotys is 1 Polish zloty = 0.3657 US dollars

So that means that an xbox 360 costs 303 dollars in Poland. I did a google search and xbox 360's are going for $299.99 Source [http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=xbox+360&hl=en&prmd=ivnsur&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5811152239504083464&sa=X&ei=FsOoTdTmIcaCtgfyo7HeBw&ved=0CI4BEPMCMAY#]

Means games are 80 bucks too that's kinda steep but the console cost doesn't seem to bad. And as for the Salary they are talking about, I make about much ($940 or/ 2570.4270 zlotys) and I can't afford an Xbox 360 either.

This is one of the few articles I didn't really care for. I guess I resent the assertion that its harder to be a gamer in Poland.

 

[UnravThreads]

I suppose being in the UK means I'm quite lucky. We've got a few budget ranges, such as Mastertronic's MAD and SoldOut) and pretty much everything by Focus. I still think some of our games are relatively expensive, such as the £35 price tag for Starcraft 2 (Compared to the £25-30 price tag for most new games) and the more popular titles tend not to drop in price all that much. I think The Sims 3 has mostly hovered around the £30 price point since release.

It sucks that it costs so much in countries like Brazil and Poland, and they do have my sympathy, and I hope the prices drop to more reasonable levels over time.

Wait a min wait a min. The current exchange rate for Zlotys is 1 Polish zloty = 0.3657 US dollars

So that means that an xbox 360 costs 303 dollars in Poland. I did a google search and xbox 360's are going for $299.99

The world doesn't work like that. At all. There are taxes to consider, possibly import fees, supply/demand and other factors. $303 is a lot if your income is $606, is it not? It's all relative.

 

[Theotherguy]

I'm from Poland and I don't have a problem like you do tbh. If you got a good job and move you ass more than the avrage slackers do than you can afford much much more. I'm a lawyer plus I learn at a university and is ok if you do some work on weekends.

Really depresing article and tbh it generalises too much and shows Poland as a country of poor people which is not true, well not mostly.

I didn't like it.

 

[beema]

I found it especially depressing since the situation in my country is even worse.

The average salary is around 481.95$ while prices are like in other EU countries. Games are even more expensive then in EU countries. I know that Crysis 2 was around 80$ when it came out. Getting it shipped from some EU country isn't an option since most shops don't ship, or require additional payment which makes it almost the same cost, just with longer waiting time.

So yeah.... gaming in my country is really depressing.

I will think of you before I complain about a game being $60 next time. Although I still don't think PC games should cost the same as console games.

 

[Art Axiv]

Thanks everyone for commenting! I've also learned a thing or two thanks to you guys!

*snip*

Fantastic post! If you'd like to talk, I'm always available through IM channels, or even e-mail if you fancy.

I'm from Poland and I don't have a problem like you do tbh. If you got a good job and move you ass more than the avrage slackers do than you can afford much much more. I'm a lawyer plus I learn at a university and is ok if you do some work on weekends.

Really depresing article and tbh it generalises too much and shows Poland as a country of poor people which is not true, well not mostly.

I didn't like it.

Don't you think that the point is, that you shouldn't have to murder yourself by working 24/7 to play the latest installment of a game?

Plus.

You're a lawyer and a lecturer. I can't believe you are a lawyer and a student, it's impossible. Anyway, if you meant that you are a student of law or you are a lecturer and you do work on weekends - great! But I wouldn't say that just everyone can get a part-time job, have their university costs and living costs paid by parents and easily concentrate on working to afford your hobby. By the description you have gave us, I could say you are quite lucky! So yeah, congratulations!

About generalization:
It is obvious that in every society, the top quartile of people who earn much above the average will not complain... I'd even add that it's quite OK to game while earning the average salary too, but then again you need to pay living costs. I'm not so sure everyone who games in our country is so eager to pay for games as you are. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I was working in Britain a few years ago, and when I went to GAME I felt like I could buy the whole store with a budget of 200 quid. The point is, gaming should be quite accessible - and it's not when the prices are steep. And this is the secondary role of the article, to clash realities and create contrast!

Thanks for reading though!

The world doesn't work like that. At all. There are taxes to consider, possibly import fees, supply/demand and other factors. $303 is a lot if your income is $606, is it not? It's all relative.

Exactly, relativism and free economy at its finest.

 

[Preacher zer0]

Great article.
It's not often people talk about the economic realites of gaming in todays broken system.

Many, many people are pretty strapped right now and gaming becomes pretty expensive if you let it.

It's all about value Vs worth.

Take Minecraft and AmnesiaD, 2 very cheap games that I have been playing for a loooong time.

I sincerly doubt I'd play any 60-70 buck xbox game for as long as I've been playing those 2 titles.

 

[Koroviev]

Great article.
It's not often people talk about the economic realites of gaming in todays broken system.

Many, many people are pretty strapped right now and gaming becomes pretty expensive if you let it.

It's all about value Vs worth.

Take Minecraft and AmnesiaD, 2 very cheap games that I have been playing for a loooong time.

I sincerly doubt I'd play any 60-70 buck xbox game for as long as I've been playing those 2 titles.

I concur. I've been enjoying Minecraft significantly more than most of the various mainstream titles I have sitting on the shelf.

 

[Theotherguy]

Don't you think that the point is, that you shouldn't have to murder yourself by working 24/7 to play the latest installment of a game?

Plus.

You're a lawyer and a lecturer. I can't believe you are a lawyer and a student, it's impossible. Anyway, if you meant that you are a student of law or you are a lecturer and you do work on weekends - great! But I wouldn't say that just everyone can get a part-time job, have their university costs and living costs paid by parents and easily concentrate on working to afford your hobby. By the description you have gave us, I could say you are quite lucky! So yeah, congratulations!

About generalization:
It is obvious that in every society, the top quartile of people who earn much above the average will not complain... I'd even add that it's quite OK to game while earning the average salary too, but then again you need to pay living costs. I'm not so sure everyone who games in our country is so eager to pay for games as you are. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I was working in Britain a few years ago, and when I went to GAME I felt like I could buy the whole store with a budget of 200 quid. The point is, gaming should be quite accessible - and it's not when the prices are steep. And this is the secondary role of the article, to clash realities and create contrast!

Thanks for reading though!


Exactly, relativism and free economy at its finest.

Ok, where to start.

A) I teach/learn people at the university, I finished my studies some time ago.

B) I'm not top qualified, I didn't finish what we call "aplication" in Poland, but I earn money above the Polish avrage. You don't need to be "top" of the foodchain to afford games, you just need to put a bit more effort in it, if you didn't finish good studies and stuff you can't really think cash will shower on you, now can you.

And C) Yeah Britain is richer, and some games are cheaper there(like NDS ones) but still, like I said if you work a bit more you can afford it. And sometimes there is just no other option if you want a good living in Poland.

But you know the article was soooo pesimistic, really, that was the only part of it that made me post.

 

[Desert Tiger]

While I'm completely against pirating as a whole, I've obviously never had to experience this in my country. In the UK, I make about £900 a month. The average, brand new, released game is around £42 in my region of the country (I know independent shops where I can get it much cheaper, but that's neither here nor there).

So, to work it out, I could get around 21 brand new release games at average cost with my pay packet. I can see why it's unfair they're at ridiculous cost elsewhere from that perspective, and when they start introducing more and more invasive DRM and anti-pirate countermeasures they've got to at some point take a step back and realise how many people would actually buy the game if they lowered the price to a state where people can actually afford it.

 

[MercurySteam]

It's funny that us Aussies are still paying $100 per game. And because the dollar is basically parody, it may as well be $100US. Thanks a lot EB Games.

 

[Kyouki1980]

I think I got a little inspired to stop buying everything off Steam. Unless it's a sale/deal, it's usually not cheap.

I buy almost all my games on steam now, except for my ps3 obviously ^_^, I simply wait for the game I want to come down in price or wait for it to come on sale. It's amazing. I love steam. So easy and convenient and with all the sales they have theres always great deals on great games.

And no... I don't work for Valve ^_^ LOL Wish I did though. ... .... I'd make sure episode 3 came out ^_~ hehe

 

[Kyouki1980]

As a person living in the Netherlands himself, I barely made use of the UK. Something with the pound-euro currency just makes me less trustful against a nation who is in the EU but refuses to use the Euro.

At any rate, discipline/patience are truly the virtues you need to master.

I live in Scotland myself and have never understood why the UK opted out of joining the euro. I think its some warped sense of nationalism by the far right. I honestly dont know for sure. Just makes no sense.

 

[Adam28]

As a person living in the Netherlands himself, I barely made use of the UK. Something with the pound-euro currency just makes me less trustful against a nation who is in the EU but refuses to use the Euro.

At any rate, discipline/patience are truly the virtues you need to master.

I live in Scotland myself and have never understood why the UK opted out of joining the euro. I think its some warped sense of nationalism by the far right. I honestly dont know for sure. Just makes no sense.

It has more to do with economics than nationalism, although the a lot of the public do hold quite nationalist views

OT: I didn't know that it was so bad in Poland, and I thought we were getting it bad.

 

[Art Axiv]

As a person living in the Netherlands himself, I barely made use of the UK. Something with the pound-euro currency just makes me less trustful against a nation who is in the EU but refuses to use the Euro.

At any rate, discipline/patience are truly the virtues you need to master.

I live in Scotland myself and have never understood why the UK opted out of joining the euro. I think its some warped sense of nationalism by the far right. I honestly dont know for sure. Just makes no sense.

It has more to do with economics than nationalism, although the a lot of the public do hold quite nationalist views

OT: I didn't know that it was so bad in Poland, and I thought we were getting it bad.

As the comments point out, things are even worse in Brazil. In Polands case its simply because Poland as a country is part of EU, and EU is considered a solid market by many companies. Food prices are for example about the same price-tag like anywhere in the EU. If they wouldn't be, smart people from the EU would simply concentrate on importing things from Poland as Euro is 4x more expensive than Zloty (meaning that minus logistics costs, its about 4 times cheaper to buy here). Price elasticity wouldn't let a "regional" price work in interconnected markets such as the EU one.

I think.