Why Is Amy More Expensive on PS3 than 360?

Amy, a downloadable survival horror game coming to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade next week, appears to have a great deal of promise. But there's something decidedly odd about the pricing of the game in the United States. That's because Amy is $3 more on PSN than it is on XBLA.

[GribbleGrunger]

no thanks. treat me with respect and you'll get your custom back. until then, forget it, i've got plenty of games to play.

[ZombieAssassin]

I feel the same way, I hope many more do too and the game bombs on PSN if they go through with this.

[crxss]

let's hope this isn't a sign of multiplatform DL games in the future and they change it to $9.99 soon. not that i really care about this game. hadn't even heard of it till this article.

[BrutallyBlunt]

Well with all these comments it just confirms what many had believed before, this site is run by Playstation 3 owners. I have both systems so if it's cheaper on one then it don't bother me much, but it doesn't make much sense why it shouldn't be the same. Most if not all games are priced equally.

[da_2pacalypse]

Not everything is about the US you know... In Canada, we get ripped off for microsoft points, since we get 1400 for 19.99, while the actual worth of 20 bucks is 1600 points. So in reality, this game costs about the same on both consoles in Canada. Get over it Americans, the world does not revolve around you...

[guitarded77]

The article has a link to a facebook poll where the dev asks if the price should be $9.99 on PSN... what answer do they expect? Anyway, no other dev seems to have a problem getting the same price cross-platform for their games. Sounds kinda like a publicity stunt to me... A. They're getting attention and B. If they drop the PSN price to what it should be, they look like good guys in the end. I do agree that the game looks like at least a typical $15+ title in quality, and would be worth it even at the $13 mark, but the price should be the same cross-platform subject only to region. Anyway, if it's $10 on PSN I'll get it for the PS3 because I'm a trophy whore... if not, XBOX it is.

[bozebo]

I bet it'll be cheapest on PC (the article ignored that it will also be on steam).

I guess it should bomb on the 360 too...

[banner]

@ da 2pac

All mad cause the article is about america... Seems like its you that needs to realize that canada isnt the world either. Not my fault you get ripped off on points

[DigitalRaptor]

They delayed the PS3 version for 7 months to bring it out on the 360, and then they charge more for it?

You're right. I'm at a similar stance.

[ShoryukenII]

Lol. I was interested in this. I remember it was an exclusive. As it is now, there is no way in hell that I'll buy this crap and I hope everyone else feels the same.

[Aloren]

Maybe the game itself should be what determines if you're interested in it or not.

[Nitrowolf2]

@Aloren

true, but it's the fact that the game was delayed for a 360 version of it and now they are charging the PS3 users who waited longer more then the 360 version. I don't have an issue with is being multiplat, but $3 more doesn't seem fair at all TBH.

The game might be good, but the devs shouldn't be taking a dump on the console that waited longer.

[DigitalRaptor]

Don't get me wrong guys. I've been interested in this title for a long while and it looks really really good, especially for asking price, but all customers should be charged the same. That is my issue, not the quality of the game itself.

I will probably end up picking it up, but the discrepancy needs to be sorted. It's good to see the developer is taking an initiative with it and asking for a consumer vote. Very fair indeed! :)

[Ser]

Agreed. I feel the same way.

Won't be picking this up for a while, at least not until it goes on sale.

[ChrisW]

Guys, read the damn article!

PSN uses real money for its purchases and Live uses MS points. It's the conversion rate that's making the price difference in America.

800MS points = 12.80 Euros which equals 10.00 USD.

[Trebius]

ChrisW, its easier to rage than to work on your reading comprehension. Let them rage.

[gman_moose]

If converting MS points across different countries is such a problem, why do other devs seem to be handling it fine?

[Darrius Cole]

As someone pointed out, games are priced by region anyway. The explanation is pure BS.

[solar]

i paid $10 less for the PC version of a lot of games. yet i dont see ps3 or 360 users bitching about that.

[BiggsnWedge]

because PC users just pirate it anyways

[Krakn3Dfx]

Yes, we all pirate our PC games, that's why Steam made more money in 2011 than in the history of the service.

[bozebo]

$10 less = pirate?

Like many console games launch at just $10 ^_^

[blaze22-qwerty]

@GribbleGrunger 100% agree with you, why would i buy a game from a devloper that doesn't respect me as a PS3 owner, i have Xbox 360 but i'm not buying the game on that console either

[MrBeatdown]

How exactly are they not respecting you? The only place where it's going for $10/800 MS points is on Live in the US. It sounds like people in Europe on either system will pay the equivalent of $13.

It sounds more like the devs' hands are tied because of the MS point system and they are forced to price it cheaper in the US. Either that or they have to charge more for it on XBL in Europe to make it fair to PSN users in the US. The equivalent of $13 in MS points in the US is 1040. If 800 MS points in Europe is equal to $12.80 like the article says, then by charging 1040 in the US and Europe, they would basically be charging European XBL users the equivalent of $16.64. As someone who, if I decided I wanted this, would buy it on PSN, I'd rather see XBL users in the US pay less than me rather than see XBL users in Europe forced to pay more. Neither way is truly fair, but I appreciate the fact that the dev is willing to take a financial hit by charging less to one group rather than dump the problem on another group of customers by charging over the intended price. PSN users aren't getting the best deal, but the devs are putting the customer first by ensuring nobody gets stuck with the inflated price. You have to respect that.

If the MS point conversion really is the issue, and this is really the only possible solution, you're not being disrespected by having to pay the normal, intended price. The irony in this is that everyone that thinks they should charge $9.99 on PSN in the US is essential asking the dev to give preferential treatment to US PSN users and basically disrespect everyone in Europe by sticking them with the equivalent of a $13 price.

With that said, I think there is some kind of communication error between MS and the devs, or something like that. It seems like MS must have a solution, since this issue has never come up for other XBL content.

[gman_moose]

If the intended price is supposed to be $13, then the simple solution is to charge 1040 MS points in the US, and 800 in Eurpope. The currency is different, so the pricing should be different.

$13 is not too much to pay for a full game. The devs need to be compensated for their efforts, but it's the way they went about this. No other devs seem to have this issue, so why these guys? Of course gamers are going to be pissed at the situation. If they didn't realize that before listing the prices, they are idiots.

[skrug]

"The irony in this is that everyone that thinks they should charge $9.99 on PSN in the US is essential asking the dev to give preferential treatment to US PSN users and basically disrespect everyone in Europe by sticking them with the equivalent of a $13 price. "

But are they not already doing that on XBL?
Charging the US only $10 on xbl and everywhere else it's 13?

[MrBeatdown]

@gman_moose

If it was that simple, that would be the solution. I think that actually is possible, but for some reason, the dev doesn't believe it is. I doubt they are making up a BS excuse to justify giving XBL users in the US a discount for no reason, so I'm chalking it up to it being an honest mistake or a legitimate issue.

Whether it is just a mistake or this actually is a problem and the devs have to pick one MS point value (800) to charge in both regions, it's not a matter of disrespect. It's actually the opposite, since the devs are showing a willing to charge less in one region so that another region isn't charged the equivalent of over $13. They opted to charge less in one region and take a loss of profit, rather than stick a higher price on the other region and gain from it. That's respect for the customer right there.

@skrug

But that price difference on XBL in the US arose for reasons beyond the developer's control, not preferential treatment. (Or at least an issue that they believe is beyond their control.) I'm sure the dev would choose to charge full price on XBL in the US if they believed they had the option to do so.

On the other hand, everyone demanding they lower price on PSN in the US in the interest of fairness is basically hypocritical because those in Europe still have to pay more. They are asking the developer for preferential treatment over Europe, yet they are citing XBL in the US getting preferential treatment as justification for why the price should be lower on PSN. The reality of it is that XBL in the US is not getting preferential treatment. The devs aren't giving them a discount because they want to. They are doing it because they believe their hands are tied. The people asking for a discount aren't asking for fairness. They're asking the developer to charge them less than what people in Europe will be charged. That's not fair. That's asking the dev to stick just European users with the higher price. If PSN users in the US feel it's so unfair that XBL users in the US should pay less than everyone else, the last thing PSN US users should be asking for is to have that same unfair pricing (which exists only because the devs can find no way around it) extended to them, as to them, it should still appear just as unfair to those in Europe.

[awi5951]

Sony charges you per MB of data you put up on psn thats why. Thats how PSN is free. You didnt really think sony really took that hit on server cost do you? Thats why PSN doesnt get certain game demos because the developers dont want to pay the price tag. Some developer said i can cost you anywhere from 20k to 200k to post a demo or download on psn it depends on the size of the file and how often its downloaded.

[miDnIghtEr20C_SfF]

When your PSN is free, some games need to be more expensive!

[B1663r]

It is a one day timed exclusive on the PS3 as well.

[ZombieAssassin]

Ha I think that's because the Ps Store updates a day before Xbox.

[pwnmaster3000]

Because isnt it obvious.
Us ps3 owners is more balla then 360 owners.
That has to be why.

[Shadonic]

How when they keep bringing up the fact that we have to pay for online?

[JoySticksFTW]

Good point. Rich people usually don't have to pay for stuff anyways though

[pwnmaster3000]

Just to brag.about it.

Thats what we rich people do. Isnt it obvious lol.

[Half-Mafia]

What idiot would vote to pay more for the same game.

[gamingdroid]

Developers and publishers! :D

I would vote more if I knew it resulted in a better product or had evidence a company that has been shown to be "very" consumer friendly.

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

PS Plus should get a discounted price.

[Majin-vegeta]

:O Haven't seen you comment in awhile??

[Studio-YaMi]

glad to see you around man
happy new year !

[KUV1977]

The explanation is relatively sound. Also the US usually gets a lot of stuff cheaper than we Europeans. It's not ideal but i will still buy it. I am not mad however, if they decide to push it back a week to make it cheaper. But if they do, they should totally lower the European price as well. After all, if they end up selling it for 10$ they should sell it for 8€ in Europa as that is the current rat. As it seems the game i worth more than 10 bucks anyway (in comparison to other games and from the limited info that i have at this point).

[sarshelyam]

It's not that regional pricing disparity exists, it's that pricing disparity exists within a single region.

If two customers walked into a grocery store and bought the same gallon of milk, but each paid two different prices for the same milk, would that be ok? No, it makes no sense and this should have been addressed long ago, not at a point (one week prior to release) where a delay would be the outcome to a simple pricing adjustment.

Furthermore, what company operates globablly thinking they can create one magic number and have it translate in various regional currencies. There has to be adjustments made to reduce disparity across regions, and when that's not possible, at the very least, eliminate pricing disparity within a region.

[KUV1977]

It's not that i disagree per se. It's just that i don't think it's that much of a deal. Did the Producer make a mistake? Yes. Did they deliberately try to screw their customers? I don't think so. Is 3 Bucks a lot of money for a title that costs 10 Bucks? Yes. Is the game worth 13 Bucks. I suppose so from all we've heard so far. Does the studio try to fix the problem? Yes, and even by giving a choice. Earlier release or fair price. Again, it's less than ideal but what can you do?

Also, technically it is not the same milk. One is Playstation-milk, the other is X-Box-Milk. So, even if they had offered one at 20$ and one at 10$ and would have said it'S due to technical problems on one system and or a bigger staff for one of the 'ports' it would have been their choice. People wouldn't have liked it but it's their choice. It is more like similar milk even in different stores. Let's even say it is exactly the same milk - still in different stores. Does every product cost the same in any store in your city? I hardly think so.

And while I understand that different regions have different prices, even for reasons that make sense. In that case it is really the same milk - playstation-milk for the US and playstation milk for Europe. And even though there may be aforementioned reasons it still hurts to always(!) pay more money for exactly the same product. If you look at a full release game in the US you pay 60$. The same game costs 60€ where I live. That means the same product has magically gained 16$ in value if you do the math. Is that fair? Do i see anyone scream about it? Well, actually I do, but in comparison I think this 3$ thing is blown way out of proportion.

[Hyperbomb69]

Its Playstation 3 so its probably better.

Also if you count the 60 dollars a month for Xbox live then its probably the same price.
Plus us PS3 owners have gamesharing so you can just pay your buddy half and you can get the game too.

[RememberThe357]

Live is 60 dollars a year.

[Siren30]

I have never paid more than $40 a year and I even got that deal right off my dashboard. Plus why would it be better on the ps3? If that is what you have to tell yourself to justify paying $3 for the same game then you got right ahead. Games like skyrim, rdr, gta4, call of duty, assassins creed 2 are all better on the 360 but their the same price as the ps3

[FunAndGun]

Even at $40/year you are still paying $200 extra over 5 years to play online.

If that is a deal to you, then great!

[Buzz7S]

@FunAndGun - $200 extra over 5 years ha? That is why Xbox LIVE tramples PSN when it comes to online services for consoles.

Perhaps if you weren't so stingy and paid for Xbox LIVE/PSN Plus, you'd know about benefits, but since ~$40 a year is too much for you, maybe you should take up another hobby.

[FunAndGun]

@Buzz7s

I have a 360 that I don't use. It was a gift, but it sits in the corner.

It has nothing to do with cost, it has to do with principle.

I am not paying to play online, simple really.

I also have a Plus membership.

I can PLAY games online for free just fine, why the hell would I want to pay for something EVERY other outlet provides for free?

online services???? what does that mean?

[Mikeyy]

@Buzz7S

I first hand know the benifits of Paying for Playstation plus, In 6 short months I have recieved:

21 Free PS1 Games. (over $100+)
11 Free Minis (like $10 lol)
and 26 Various other PSN games and retail games. (these babies go from $10+ Each)

All free!

thank god I have a 500GB HDD, because the sucker is half full already from PS Plus alone.

What does Xbox Live Gold get you? I wan't to compare our lists!

[Buzz7S]

@Mikeyy Xbox LIVE gets me security, therefore your argument is invalid.

[MGRogue2017]

... Maybe because it's superior on the PS3 in terms of both graphics & performance?

Just a guess.

[Virtual_Reality]

The game was announced as exclusive for PS3 before.

But who cares, both consoles will get the same content.

[D3mons0ul]

That shouldn't alter the price.

This is just needless greed. Nickle and dimin' like a motherfucker.

[Hicken]

At least the devs are saying something about it, and not just leaving things as-is while saying nothing to their fans. I can imagine quite a few developers who, this generation, would say, "Oh, well. That's the way it is," and leave it at that.

[ThatArtGuy]

I'd have more respect for them if they actually said, "That's the way it is." At least then they wouldn't be lying through their teeth.

[WetN00dle69]

LMFAO!!!!!

[gamingdroid]

... and what if your guess is wrong? Then what did you pay extra for?

[Why o why]

wait until Kevin and Michael catch wind of this..... :(

[BattleTorn]

The reason for this is completely legit.

I guess all you PS3-fanboys would rather the company charge Europe the difference.

Plus anyone on XBL has to buy MSP which you can only get in 500msp incriments, so a Xbox player would be paying $15, and be left with a few MSP as change.

no go ahead, take my bubb

[FunAndGun]

So all pieces of content on Live should only be sold in increments that allow for no left over points?

that makes no sense.

[D3mons0ul]

Why is it legit?

[BattleTorn]

they had to chose to sell their game at

$10 (XBL/US) $12.99 (PSN) $12.99(XBL/EUR)

or $12.99 (XBL/US) $12.99(PSN) $15.99(XBL/EUR)

which benifits more groups?

PS3-fans would spite everyone, and have everyone pay more, just so you're tied with the bottem price.

Disagrees? O RLY!
You want everyone to pay more, just so your even.

That's irrational math, imo.

[ZombieAssassin]

What are you talking about, everyone should pay the same ($10 no ones saying everyone should pay $13 you're just trying to make it seem like that because...well we know why) it makes no sense to charge the US ps3 users more than the us xbl users.

Also ps3 users can only buy cards in $20 and $50 so they'd have extra money left over too...

[gamingdroid]

I guess in this case, using points actually make sense. It simplifies it for the consumer and point pricing can vary according to market.

So there was a grand plan after all....

[Mikeyy]

I dissagree. Nothing is simpler then tell you the flat price. In dollar amounts.

Having hidden coded "points" is misleading to the public. How much is 1 MS point worth?

90% of Xbox users have no clue, there forced to buy bulk amounts, and have some left over in there wallet. I on the other hand can pay the Exact price, tax free, and not have to spend a penny extra with PSN.

[gamingdroid]

@Mikeyy

I don't disagree with you, but in this case the reason why the PSN version cost more is due to the need to charge you "exact" price. I'm assuming it is too complex to charge a different price for each region and that is why neither MS or Sony has such a system in place.

On the flip side, by using MS points I have been able to purchase them on sale at 25% off frequently.

Something that I have been unable to do with PSN cards. My guess is because it specifically says $20 on the cards....

[Why o why]

Gamingdroid

There are some online retailers that sell the codes for less than their actual value occasionally but you both make valid points

[insomnium2]

A 50€ card costs me 40.4€ from an online shop that can sell without VAT. I have no idea why this is possible but everything I buy off of PSN gets an automatic ~20% discount because of this.

And to add o the sweetness this sucker gets sent to my mailbox free of charge. I have no reason to buy stuff directly with my cc since I can order these with 20% less. It's a strange world indeed....

[sarshelyam]

I never understood this, not that it bolsters your argument. When I buy something on the PlaySation Store I can either:

A) Buy at a round number $5/$10/$20 etc.
B) Pay the exact amount using a card no matter what.

Why can't Microsoft charge 423 points if that's what something costs. Is the function too difficult for them to process a conversion rate of points to dollars? If it is, then it truly shows how archaic their monetary points system is.