Why so expensive?

[DuckofTindalos]

Comparing WitP to FarCry and Starcraft? Oh dear... Look, you bought the game, so why are you complaining about the price?

[alanschu]

ORIGINAL: Widell

ORIGINAL: alanschu
Had there been a demo though, I probably would have paid the $70 for it....

But you would also loose many a customer that tried a demo (like the tutorials or the Coral Sea scenario, or a week of the big one) and then said, what the heck, $70 for this. No way! There is absolutely no way a demo can make WitP any justice. I think that if the discussions and AAR's in this forum does not give you that muuuuussst haaave it feeling, you may not be fulfilling many of the checkpoints on the lists for a grognard

If a grognard would already have the must have feeling, why would the demo really limit the game sales? If an AAR is all it takes to convince a grognard, then the demo is a moot point. The only way a demo takes away from sales is if the demo is bad. I'd be very surprised if you'd get a significant amount of sales lost because of a demo of a smaller operation, because it helps people make a more informed decision about the product they are purchasing.

Anyone that were to play a demo of WitP, and not understand that it's a very small sample of a much larger game that is the entire Pacific Campaign, and therefore not buy the game, probably isn't buying the game anyways. Especially since there'd still be AAR from people that they can read up upon, which as you say, should be enough to bring in the grognards that would have bought the game anyways. Any "sale" that would be lost from a demo of one of the operations or a small chunk of the grand campaign, is probably not the type of "sale" that you're really looking for. Since the person probably wouldn't like the game, and would probably not be one of the people that play the game for 2.5 years, and ends up being one of the vindictive customers that spreads negative word of mouth about the game and convinces other people to buy it. Sure, it might be possible for some people who bought the game and eventually enjoy it, that may have been turned off with a demo, but is it statistically significant? And more importantly, would it be more than the number of people that do decide to buy the game because of the demo?

[alanschu]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Comparing WitP to FarCry and Starcraft? Oh dear... Look, you bought the game, so why are you complaining about the price?

I'm comparing it with every game, since I have a wide variety of tastes and play games in all genres. It was also in response to the people that respond "You play the game for 2.5 years, so it's worth it" when asked about the price.


I'm not really complaining about the price, the guy that made the first post is. I'm just discussing it.

Having said that, if you paid $70 for a game and you thought the game sucked, you wouldn't find the price a sore spot and at least complain to yourself that it wasn't worth $70?

[Artmiser]

Ok Alanschu.

1. no minors so come back in five years
2. Shave your head.
3. depends
3. Loose the sports before you come back, you are only allowed to watch sports on the TV.
(although pending Grognard Review you are allowed 20 min three times a week on an exercise bike)
4. Buy some books, to read on the bike, make the most of it.
5. Get married, divorced, and remarried.

[Llyranor]

I'm one of alanschu's buddies. In fact, I was the one who brought WitP to his attention, given that he seemed to like naval warfare more than I do. I didn't shell out and buy it when it was on sale, and in a way, I'm glad I didn't. His AAR is quite fascinating, but the amount of detail presented was pretty overwhelming.

Now, I'm pretty casual in terms of how 'grognards' go. I only really got into wargames this year (aside from a small addiction to Panzer General so many years ago). WW2 is a very interesting topic, but I'm in no way a buff, and I'm not going to be sold over a game simply for its attention to detail in terms of WW2 fare. I can't even pronounce Stug.

As per demos, I would have definitely tried the WitP one had there been one. I would have been on the fence, and the demo would have persuaded me to either buy it or decide it was a bit too much for me. On the other hand, without a demo, I've simply unilaterally decided that it seems too much for me. The 70$ itself isn't really the problem in my case, even. I just don't want to invest in a game I might not necessarily like too much or for too long. Not when there are many other games I *know* I like and still have to go through.

Take the Airborne Assault series. Quite excellent. Their most recent games (CotA and HttR) haven't had a demo. had there not been a demo for their older title (Red Devils over Arnhem), I would have never even *considered* buying them, not matter how much praise they've gotten - simply by virtue of not being a hardcore grognard and WW2 buff, and thus not knowing how much I'd have enjoyed the game. Instead, having tried out the RDOA demo, I've purchased both HttR and CotA without a flinch, and will keep on supporting the developer so long as they keep supporting the series. Ironically, the reason why the dev stopped making demos was that they deemed it detracted more players than it attracted. Of course, the players who tried out the demo for 5 min without reading the manual/tutorial wouldn't have bought the game anyway. The problem, of course, is that demos do cost money.

Oh well, my two cents.

[Artmiser]

Joking asside if 70$ is to much, wait for it to go on sale, thats what I did.   The one I cant decide it worth it is the Steel Panthers remake, but thats for another forum.

[ChezDaJez]

As per demos, I would have definitely tried the WitP one had there been one. I would have been on the fence, and the demo would have persuaded me to either buy it or decide it was a bit too much for me. On the other hand, without a demo, I've simply unilaterally decided that it seems too much for me.

This is a game that does not lend itself well to a demo. The game's mechanics are relatively straight forward but it is the ability to shape the game by your style of play, your choice of production (as the Japanese), and the ability to develop and implement a strategic plan. The strategies, both subtle and blatant, will be missed and that is the attraction of WitP. It's not about moving fleet A to hex X,Y. It's about building a strategic plan, working towards its implementation and then basking in its fruitition (or in my case, its destruction!).

No, I don't believe a demo would capture the essence of this game. It would be like having a demo for chess. You aren't going to learn a thing about the game except how to move the pieces.

As for the cost.. its been mentioned before that this is a game for grognards who are interested in the Pacific war and it cost a lot of money to develop and market, not to mention the cost of the continual updates. Matrix only expected to sell X amount of copies because of its niche and complexity. I'ld be willing to bet the game wasn't a huge money maker for them and I applaud them for their continued support. In my mind, it was a $70 well spent.

I've spent a lot of money on games like Call of Duty or Medal of Honor. Finished them in 3 days.... $50 each for 3 days fun. I enjoyed them but now they sit on the shelf.

I too am a full-time college student (at age 52!) earning my registered nurse degree and working weekends. I don't have a single day off but the first thing I do when I get out of class is check my email to see if my next turn has arrived. If it has...WooHoo, I'm on the road to world domination! If not, I get to do my homework.

I can't even pronounce Stug

Neither can I but I know to pronounce, and use, Kido Butai!

Chez

[timocrates]

I was not complaining about the price, just inquiring why it is still so expensive. Maybe they are the same thing. I gather from this thread that I'm not old and crusty enough to play or afford this game, so I guess I'll just stick to my mindless FPSs for awhile. Thanks.

[TheElf]

ORIGINAL: alanschu

I was one of the very few that enjoyed Star Wars: Rebellion, and had no problems playing it.

One of my all-time favorites. Best played against another person. Trouble is finding another person who has it.

[TheElf]

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez

No, I don't believe a demo would capture the essence of this game. It would be like having a demo for chess. You aren't going to learn a thing about the game except how to move the pieces.

Chez

Not to mention that the full potential of this game isn't reached until a player takes a leap of faith and starts a PBEM. You want a challenge? You got the world domination blues? You want to wait with baited breath and hang on every pixel in the combat replay? Try playing another human being...

That is where the rubber meets the road in War in the Pacific.

[FeurerKrieg]

I have it, but I found it for $1 at a thrift store AFTER I had WITP, so I never really had the time to sit down and try to get past the clunky interface. It did seem to have potential though. For now it is in my 'when-I-retire-and-my-kids-are-all-grown-up-I-will-play-all-those-games' pile.

[TheElf]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

I have it, but I found it for $1 at a thrift store AFTER I had WITP, so I never really had the time to sit down and try to get past the clunky interface. It did seem to have potential though. For now it is in my 'when-I-retire-and-my-kids-are-all-grown-up-I-will-play-all-those-games' pile.

I assume you are refering to SW:REB? You really should try it. It isn;t that hard. You just have to work through it and get your own system for everything. Varying the speed helps too, particularly when you are giving orders and planning large ops.

These days the grpahics are a little dated, but the game itself is fantastic. I've even found a few sites that offer improved graphics for the ships.

[FeurerKrieg]

Yes, SW:REB. I certainly will give it go... someday.

ORIGINAL: TheElf

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

I have it, but I found it for $1 at a thrift store AFTER I had WITP, so I never really had the time to sit down and try to get past the clunky interface. It did seem to have potential though. For now it is in my 'when-I-retire-and-my-kids-are-all-grown-up-I-will-play-all-those-games' pile.

I assume you are refering to SW:REB? You really should try it. It isn;t that hard. You just have to work through it and get your own system for everything. Varying the speed helps too, particularly when you are giving orders and planning large ops.

These days the grpahics are a little dated, but the game itself is fantastic. I've even found a few sites that offer improved graphics for the ships.

[ChezDaJez]

I gather from this thread that I'm not old and crusty enough to play or afford this game

Age has nothing to do with it. All it takes to enjoy this game is an interest in the Pacific theater in WWII and a desire to reshape history by doing it your way.

And, of course, $70. [:D]

Chez

[Grotius]

Hilarious post, Feinder! I swear, one of the best reasons to buy WITP is so that you have an excuse to frequent this forum, which is the funniest place on the internet. Toss in the PBEM AARs, and it becomes one of the most fascinating places on the internet.

To be honest, I didn't give $70 a second thought. Since I fit most of Feinder's categories, it doesn't seem like a large amount of money to me. I pay several times that for Photoshop and other software that's a lot less fun. Also, I'd already played Uncommon Valor, which probably costs less than WITP and is based on the same engine. I didn't need a demo. I saw screenshots in a gaming magazine, read a couple reviews, and I knew it was for me.

Actually, if I were a developer, I'd never make a demo. On those few occasions when I've downloaded demos, I've actually ended up less likely to buy the game, because my attention span is normally so short. The demo for the first Airborne Assault game, for example, didn't wow me, and so I didn't buy it. I bought CoTA on the strength of its great reviews, and I played the heck out of it. I often buy games and play them for no longer than I'd play a demo, then get distracted by something else.

If I were a student, I'd justify the $70 on educational grounds. If you play WITP, you'll learn quite a lot about the Pacific War. It might even induce you to read a few books on the subject, as it has in my case.

[DuckofTindalos]

Age doesn't enter into it; in fact, the age spread among WitP players is quite wide.

And crusty? That's a factor of personal hygiene...[:D]

[Charles2222]

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf

ORIGINAL: timocrates

This game is over two years old, and it costs $70 US for a digital download. Is there any reason it is so expensive? Does anyone know where to get it cheaper?

always the same discussion once 3 months...

divide the hours of play time through the price of the game and you will get a cheap game. it give you the most bang for the buck.

The problem is ALWAYS, that you never know how long you will play it. I have played WITP maybe 40 total hours, while my discounted $20 Star Wars Empire at War I have played for at least 100 hours. I don't see myself playing WITP anytime soon, as some of the bugs just appear too devatating, fun or not. I have seen some bugs, fairly irritating ones with SWEAW, but it's so fun that I overlook them. There's a much higher "work" factor to WITP which certainly dimishes some of the fun factor.

[Bobthehatchit]

ORIGINAL: TheElf

ORIGINAL: alanschu

I was one of the very few that enjoyed Star Wars: Rebellion, and had no problems playing it.

One of my all-time favorites. Best played against another person. Trouble is finding another person who has it.

I love that game too, its usual the second game i install after a re-load WITP being the first!

[Bobthehatchit]

ORIGINAL: timocrates

This game is over two years old, and it costs $70 US for a digital download. Is there any reason it is so expensive? Does anyone know where to get it cheaper?

Basically the game took an age to create and research, time costs money, and the game has a much smaller customer base than the likes of Civ or Hearts of Iron etc so will sell less copies hense the unit prise is higher.

Simple econimics.

Its a massive game with huge depth and skope and worth every penny.

70$ works out at about £35 which is standard over here for most new games, Thats not expensive at all, not for a game than i'm still playing three years later.

[keystone]

The only problem I have with this game is when I get jacked up on coffee and start losing my mind, too many planes, too many ships, where'd my supply convoy's go? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh[X(][X(][X(][X(][X(][X(][X(][X(][X(]