some newer games keep launching with pathetic 10-20% discounted prices, how is this possible?

[tzwei_tonkaichi]

i've no problem with games getting "big" discounts but recently seen a trend where certain indie games (no naming names here, sorry) keep getting launched with a 10% discount rate, with some other indie games even managing 20%.

sale period for these games always end a week after their launch date, and they're not exactly the most cheapest purchasing options in here anyway, so what's the point of putting out an absurdly-low discount rate to your f-ing game?

[BJWyler]

Nothing absurd about it. The devs price their game based on what they need to cover their costs and what they think their effort is worth. Most devs don't even discount their game in the first year. When they do, it's generally to draw some interest and as a marketing tool to encourage a purchase.

This incessant entitled tin cup rattling of the gaming community is getting tiresome. Gaming is a luxury hobby, and can be quite expensive depending on how much one wants to invest in it. Despite that, gamers are getting more bang for their buck nowadays than we ever have in the past.

This is not a gosh darn charity business and no one has any inherent right to play a video game. People need to either pony up, or find something more affordable to enjoy. It's sure as heck a lot cheaper for the entertainment time than one gets for a 90 minute movie.

[AmsterdamHeavy]

Buy it or dont. Theres nothing to complain about.

[Eidolon]

Seems obvious to me. You want to incentivise people to buy at launch. Some people will buy as long as something is discounted, even if the discount is small. Others might figure to buy it now while it's on a small discount since they were interested in it anyway.

But when the game is brand new (and especially for an indie developer) you also don't want to lose out on so much money by making the very first discount too deep. What I question more is the point in complaining about this.

[Chika Ogiue]

Games launching on Steam with a 10 to 20% discount has been a thing for the majority of Steam's existence.

[Chompman]

Why should newer games have deep discounts?

This happens when they are older and want to sell more copies and never when they are new as it devalues their product when it is selling well.

[Nx Machina]

Ah! The age old consumer argument of "I want game X at discount of Y but I am not prepared to take a wage cut to lose income myself."

[wesnef]

Instead of being grateful that there's *any* discount (seriously, why should there even be a discount at launch? That's when they will/should get the most money), you are instead greedy and complain that it's not more.

Cool.

[SLG]

Be glad they are on discount. Many new games are not released with a discount.

[Kargor]

Because when you release a new game, you want to first sell to people that are willing to pay full price, and only gradually lower the sale price over a longer period of time.

if someone is willing to pay full price, or -10%, they will certainly buy it at -80% as well. But, why not sell it at full price first?

Sale numbers aren't paying food and rent. Money does.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by tzwei_tonkaichi:

i've no problem with games getting "big" discounts but recently seen a trend where certain indie games (no naming names here, sorry) keep getting launched with a 10% discount rate, with some other indie games even managing 20%.

sale period for these games always end a week after their launch date, and they're not exactly the most cheapest purchasing options in here anyway, so what's the point of putting out an absurdly-low discount rate to your f-ing game?

Imagine complaining about paying less for a game at launch.

[Piston Smashed™]

Originally posted by tzwei_tonkaichi:

i've no problem with games getting "big" discounts

Then wait for one...

[Crazy Tiger]

If ypu expect a launch discount to be deep you REALLY have issues with managing expectations and are not in touch with reality.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Most times I have seen an indi game at 20% on release, was because the game was coming out of early access and they just had a price hike.

[Tito Shivan]

Originally posted by Chika Ogiue:

Games launching on Steam with a 10 to 20% discount has been a thing for the majority of Steam's existence.

Pretty much. Release week is the sweet spot for sales where most of sales happen. You don't want to shoot yourself in the foot by releasing with a steep discount, slashing a significative part of your revenue.

That 10-20% discount sits in the sweet spot between 'i'm offering no discount' and 'I'm giving up money for the sake of sales'

I recall buying DE:HR on preorder at 10% off, more than a decade ago.

[Dagnabbit]

Originally posted by tzwei_tonkaichi:

i've no problem with games getting "big" discounts but recently seen a trend where certain indie games (no naming names here, sorry) keep getting launched with a 10% discount rate, with some other indie games even managing 20%.

sale period for these games always end a week after their launch date, and they're not exactly the most cheapest purchasing options in here anyway, so what's the point of putting out an absurdly-low discount rate to your f-ing game?

You're not entitled to discounts on anything, Karen.