But they also warn that offloading stock quickly could harm long-term sales.
Now the dust has settled on the PlayStation 3 launch, UK retailers are beginning to report on what they've seen as the "biggest-ever" launch for a home console.
Retailers are expecting to continue selling the luxury console over the busy Easter sales period, but some have warned that reducing prices to lower stock levels could harm long-term sales.
"Given the relatively plentiful supply, it's fair to say this was our biggest-ever console launch in unit and value terms," HMV's head of games Tim Ellis told GamesIndustry.biz.
"We still have some consoles in stock around the chain, as we were able to order plenty, but we expect these to sell these through over the coming days and weeks, especially as new games titles are released," he said.
"It's been a remarkable week for us here at GAME following the successful launch of the PlayStation 3," revealed Anna Macario, marketing director at GAME.
"We have seen huge demand and seen fantastic sales throughout our 400 stores around the country."
Charging for early access has started to become a regular practice in several AAA games, and the gaming community should not tolerate this.
Don’t uh… don’t pay for it then? 🤷♂️ It’s 3 days early, let people who can’t wait pony up to pay for early access. I’d hope people have more control over themselves if they don’t want to pay extra. I personally, do not see an issue with the option. If I’m hyped for a game and they give you early access, I’ll pay. If it’s something I can wait to play on “actual release” I won’t pay extra. It’s as simple as that.
Except your entirely mistaken if you think it's "early access"
Theyre just charging you extra to play it on release. So gullible.
"Theyre just charging you extra to play it on release. So gullible."
Not really.
In some cases, paying for early access will grant you access to play those games at the same time media outlets and reviewers are playing their copies.
Besides, it´s a single player game. It´s not like early access to MP competitive games like Battlefield which EA would grant a full week early access to those willing to pay; which gives a unfair advantage to those gamers and breaks the game´s balance.
are you playing it earlier than retail release?
If that’s the correct answer, how is it not early access?
It's not early access...it's playing on release...early access is when the game isn't finished and needs a little more time...you also get it months in advance.
Let's not get confused here..
Microsoft has been doing premium edition early access for awhile(Forza and Starfield recently) ...so why is it an issue now when Ubisoft does it?
It can't be the gamepass excuse as Ubisoft has day one subscriptions as well.
I´ve paid for Starfield´s Premium Edition to get early access to the game, plus Shattered Space expansion.
I don´t regret my decision and I mighty pay for it again to get early access to Fable and TESVI.
as long as people are paying for it, it will be a thing unfortunately.
the fear of missing out is ... huge. especially online.
I don’t think it’s about missing out. Think of it like a movie you’re hyped for. You can see it early if you pay extra or just wait until Friday when it officially releases.
It’s nothing more than that.
Huzaifah from eXputer: "Sleeping Dogs from the early 2010s is one of the best open-world games out there but in dire need of a resurgence."
You say "yet" as if it's even possible anymore. United Front Games is gone, along with anyone that made this game what it is
That’s what happens when games sell poorly. And I’ve seen people wonder why people cry when a game sells badly… this is your answer.
Majority of the time it's true but if a company/publisher is big (in terms of money), they can take a hit or 2. e.g. I am not worried about Rebirth sales as Square will make Remake 3 anyway but if FF 17 doesn't sell then Square might need to look for alternative. <-- my humble opinion
Sleeping Dogs was a sleeper hit back then. It was fantastic. It actually still is. Would love a sequel to this, or at least a revive of True Crime series.
Grasshopper Manufacture's Shadows of the Damned returns this year with a remaster, and Hardcore Gamer got to talk with Suda51 about it, among other things...
Retailers profits are prbly high as hell
The more they sell the more they make obviously, they don't care about which console had shortages at their launch.
The big question is will it be sustained, with no AAA first party titles to be seen for a while and 3rd party lagging far behind.
Heavenly sword should do great over there along with other summer titles :)
this is a GREAT LAUNCH
good for ps3, although it was released later in Europe.
what if it was released at the same time as u.s. etc.
maybe their would have been shortages and ppl woulndt have got their ps3 when they wanted
very well planned from sony, I know ppl might have been very angry to wait longer but at least you didnt have to face shortages and more then likely you will get your console.
I just hope that this continues, because a strong SNE is good for all gamers. It keeps the comp on their feet and keeps kick a$$ games coming down the chute for all of us. The affect is reciprocal and universal. Good job guys. Not to mention, MGS4, Heavenly Sword, Lair, KILLZONE II, HOME and LBP will keep these things flying off shelves for the foreseeable future.