Topic: Why are digitally copies of games full price?

Then please explain why Sony and Microsoft have the ability to price drop after retailers.

It's definitely slower, but the fact that it exists shows that it's a possibility. You act as though if they priced Pilotwings at $35 (at which still nobody would buy it) then retailers would be pissed. I highly doubt that would be the case.

And remember this is Nintendo. There are a bunch of unconnected gamers, gamers who like boxes, and those who refuse to get digital games due to terrible policies. If they priced Super Mario 3D Land at $35 I doubt it would do that much better then at retail stores. But that's not even my expectation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gy...

Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all publish games. When they publish a game, they set an RRP. That RRP is what they recommend retailers sell the game at. That RRP gives a certain margin (usually about 25 per cent) to the retailer.

If the retailer then decides to cut prices, that's the retailer's work, not Nintendo and not Sony or Microsoft. Why would they do that? Who knows. That copy of Pilotwings you scored for $5 two years after its release is probably because the retailer was trying to clear out inventory. Another retailer might discount below its margin as a loss-leading promotional activity. There are plenty of possible reasons that a retailer will cut its own margin.

None of which mean the RRP has changed. Nintendo will not undercut the RRP on its eShop prices because its symbolic of an attempt to cut the retailers out of the business, and they won't respond well to that at all. Sony and Microsoft ARE both actively trying to cut the retailer out of the business. That's why they spend so much money on their online portals. That's why Sony released the PSPGo. Sony and Microsoft both have far greater distribution channels than Nintendo; they need the specialist retailers (which tend to irritate the publishers thanks to second hand sales and the like) less. Nintendo needs the Gamestops and EB Games of the world far more. It can't afford to piss them off.

Now, some publishers might drop the RRP for their older games - if they're still producing copies of those games, that is. Nintendo doesn't do this. That's Nintendo's business practices.

@rayword45 - Unlike Nintendo, large contingents of Sony's and Microsoft's video game clientele (at least sort of) follow the industry and are aware of things like game release dates and large digital purchases. They're not what we consider to be casual gamers. Nintendo, however, banked its previous-gen (Wii/DS) success on casual consumers, who don't follow the industry or understand they can make App Store-like purchases with their consoles. For those people, maintaining a store presence and TV commercials actually does translate to sold consoles and profits for Nintendo, so Nintendo needs to stay on friendly terms with retailers. Unfortunately, people like us who are not casual gamers and do care about pricing for different formats, get the short end of the stick as Nintendo does its best to satisfy the needs of its hardcore following and continue making money. It sucks, but here's something to put it into perspective: If games like Mario Kart Wii and Brawl didn't sell as many copies as they did, Nintendo probably wouldn't have the money to be able to risk making titles like Kid Icarus: Uprising and X-Scape that may or may not make a profit.

Why is the internet full of trolls like you guys? I remember when I was in 5th grade the troll community that is today did not exist.

You asked a question, I answered. Apparently you didn't like the answer, but I'm not sure what else you wanted?

Yeah but Sony never really profits from any of its products anyway... Not even the software can save that sinking ship.

DK origional edition and the Deluxe digital promotion.
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Do you think that Nintendo is doing enough to get people to buy digital with offering a free, small size game as a sort of rebate? Is it even worth their effort?
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Also, more technical question.
Can Nintendo go under retailers without pissing them off by giving money back, as in the case of the WiiU Deluxe digital thingy? Or is that them skating on thin ice?

That's Nintendo's promotion. They're technically not dropping the price on anything, but is offering an incentive to buy digitally. Keep in mind that promotion also applies to ANY digital content, not just retail releases

We're sorry you're unhappy with the current price structure of the eShop. If you'd like to offer suggestion as to what sort of prices you would be willing to pay, please feel free to use this existing thread. Enjoy! :3