Why do steam charge so much for its games?

[Ryan]

Okay, I have been checking the prices of steam games and comparing them with some online retailers and have to say the steam prices are an absolute rip off compared to most online stores. Most of the games steam offers you can get half price at these stores with free delivery. I would like to know why the games steam offer for digital download costs much more than buying the actual game from stores? I would of thought a digital copy would cost far less than buying the actual DVD/CD Rom of the game.

[☯ Zeroxia]

Steam doesn't decide that. The company who made the games and put it on Steam decide that. They decide to drop the price permanently or for a sale. Most Steam games are cheaper when they are on sale and if you wanne buy those games on Steam then you gotte wait for it.

And some online retailers can get some games cheaper yes. If you wanne decide to buy a game somewhere else then it's all your choice.

And a digital copy or a pshycial copy has no real price difference unless you buy used ones. But used ones can't be activated. t just depends on what the store sells them for and when they got a sale.

[Ryan]

Well it's bloody stupid.

Should I buy Crusader Kings II for £34.99 from Steam or for £12.99 from Amazon?

[☯ Zeroxia]

Well that is your choice. Sometimes its cheaper on Steam and other times it is not. But buying it from Amazon might not get you a key where you can activate it on Steam.

[kristijanH]

Complaning that you can buy a game cheaper some where else makes no sese. Just buy it elsewhere. If the majority of steam users buy their games from other shops they will be forced to make a change.

[Ryan]

Companies will never change if the consumers don't complain about the products they offer.

[Felix]

Originally posted by Ryan:

Companies will never change if the consumers don't complain about the products they offer.

Complaints won't change the attitudes of companies. However, a decrease in sales will.

Doesn't matter if people complain and complain and complain if the money is still flowing strongly.

[Slackerboy (Nate)]

its the companies that change prices, which is why operation raccoon city price hasnt decreased in ages

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Ryan:

Companies will never change if the consumers don't complain about the products they offer.

Developers/Publishers set the prices on Steam.

Amazon sets their own prices.

Originally posted by Ryan:

Companies will never change if the consumers don't complain about the products they offer.

Compnaise will change their product, if need be, because of consumer complaints. They will not change their prices though. If they did, then everything would be below cost to make and companies would go under. There would be no games since there would be no profit in it.

[PG]

When you buy a game undiscounted you're paying a tax for impatience. You normally have little excuse not to wait for a sale, which is bound to happen. Even AAA games like Skyrim get discounts on major Steam sales.

Personally, I find that most games are more expensive retail, and there are no sales there. In some cases though, I've found a game cheaper in retail. I dunno about other online DD sites, but how much cheaper than $5 for a $20 game (not unusual on Steam) do you want?

[Ryan]

Originally posted by TentacleMayor:

When you buy a game undiscounted you're paying a tax for impatience. You normally have little excuse not to wait for a sale, which is bound to happen. Even AAA games like Skyrim get discounts on major Steam sales.

Personally, I find that most games are more expensive retail, and there are no sales there. In some cases though, I've found a game cheaper in retail. I dunno about other online DD sites, but how much cheaper than $5 for a $20 game (not unusual on Steam) do you want?

Well it must be different in the USA because the games are way cheaper at the retail stores than on steam here in the United Kingdom.

I just ordered CKII for £12.99 which would have cost me nearly 3 times as much at £34.99 on steam. I would of bought it on steam if it was a similar price.

[jjb-54]

I think the OP was trying to show support for Steam, but I could be wrong? So to blast him/her for it, huh?

He/she asked an honest question and the obvious point I read - is they would like to have bought here ... but obviously they had to go to the better deal .... most people don't want to wait for sales.

Besides - and I will likely be corrected here - but if you can do it on "Special Sales" then obviously the prices are not that "hard" set .. or you would not be allowed special sales ... Still trying to wrap my head around "We don't set the prices ..." (but if you wait for a sale we do ... ) ?????

[Ryan]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by Ryan:

Companies will never change if the consumers don't complain about the products they offer.

Developers/Publishers set the prices on Steam.

Amazon sets their own prices.

Originally posted by Ryan:

Companies will never change if the consumers don't complain about the products they offer.

Compnaise will change their product, if need be, because of consumer complaints. They will not change their prices though. If they did, then everything would be below cost to make and companies would go under. There would be no games since there would be no profit in it.

The game developer companies will not go under from charging similar prices on steam to that of online retail stores for their games.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Ryan:

The game developer companies will not go under from charging similar prices on steam to that of online retail stores for their games.

No, but store retailers force the Publishers to keep a higher price on digital sales so they can compete.

Stores also buy the product out right, where as with Steam, they have to wait for a sale.

Wither way, the publishers decide the proces on Steam. What ever back room deal they make with store retailers is between them. GMG even taked about it when asked about 2K game prices. I'll see if I can find the link.
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http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/12/green-man-gaming-blames-australian-price-hikes-on-publishers-and-local-retail-feedback/

"Considering what we know of pricing policies on other online stores, publishers tend to set prices on services like Green Man and Steam. And from speaking to representatives from publishers locally, much of this pricing is set overseas. The pricing is set this way because local retailers simply cannot afford to compete with digital prices."

[Ryan]

Originally posted by TentacleMayor:

When you buy a game undiscounted you're paying a tax for impatience. You normally have little excuse not to wait for a sale, which is bound to happen. Even AAA games like Skyrim get discounts on major Steam sales.

Personally, I find that most games are more expensive retail, and there are no sales there. In some cases though, I've found a game cheaper in retail. I dunno about other online DD sites, but how much cheaper than $5 for a $20 game (not unusual on Steam) do you want?

The sales on steam are not all that good anyway. Age of Empires III Complete Edition is on sale at the moment for £14.99 on steam but can be picked up brand new at around £9 at an online retailer.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Ryan:

The sales on steam are not all that good anyway. Age of Empires III Complete Edition is on sale at the moment for £14.99 on steam but can be picked up brand new at around £9 at an online retailer.

Like I said. Publisher set prices on Steam. Other distributers have more controll over their prices.