Save money--Gamestop/EB have boxed copies of BoA for $29.99

[Executioner Five]

Why pay Matrix a $20 premium, plus shipping? Let them drop the price. This situation is not fair to those of us who have supported Matrix and bought it's games--how about a little equal treatment for the folks who have supported you all along.

This is screwing us over, big time.

[Hertston]

A little strong, maybe. Gamestop and EB don't keep Matrix informed of their pricing any more than Matrix informs them of theirs, and you can hardly expect Matrix to monitor it constantly. It was clear from the start that Matrix was only one of several places where you could get the game, but I can understand why anyone who had just bought the game fom Matrix might be a little pissed, though.

I think this was inevitable in taking on the game in this way, i.e with several other download retailers and boxed copies in circulation. The download was overpriced at the start despite an intention to regulate the download prices, and is still $5 over what some others were charging last time I looked. The real problem, though, is the box copies - not only was the game sold that way, but it was released that way some time ago, and so prices will inevitably have dropped. I bought a box copy for a tenner (UK) when the game came to my attention via the Matrix release - I'm happy to support Matrix but not to the extent of paying twice the going rate.

I guess the bottom line is the final arbiter, but I'm not sure this sort of arrangement is smart. Maybe Matrix should stick with exclusive distribution deals?

[Erik Rutins]

The pricing was set by contract with AGEOD. I'm sure that AGEOD have no control over the retail pricing - once a game is released into retail, the stores generally start cutting prices fairly soon thereafter. I'm sure you can also pick up some of our past retail releases at a bargain.

We do not try to match retail store pricing, nor are we in any way informed of it, so I think your allegation that we are screwing anyone is pretty much totally unfair.

The other day, I saw someone on EBay selling their copy of a game I just bought from EB for $20 less than I paid. Did EB deliberately screw me over? The comparisons are endless and pointless.

Regards,

- Erik

[korrigan]

ORIGINAL: Executioner Five
This situation is not fair to those of us who have supported Matrix and bought it's games--how about a little equal treatment for the folks who have supported you all along.

Birth of America is not a "Matrix game"; it was produced by AGEOD. Matrix is only acting as a distributor.

This is screwing us over, big time.

AGEOD has no control over retail pricing. However, be aware that with this kind of -50% price, our royalties are -50% too. You also have to know that producing physical copy (and most importantly: manual printing) is really expansive.

So if you don't want the download version (27€), and if you're not prepared to pay 40€ to buy a boxed wargame, then be prepared to never be able to buy wargames from us anymore because we just can't survive with a 30€ price. Guess who EG is really screwing?

[Moltke71]

The points on Matrix/AGEOD pricing have been made clear but I feel the issue brings up a more general point - gamer impatience. We all know that 95% of all games will be cheaper elsewhere at a later time. If money is critical, why not wait awhile for the drop or spend a few days checking out other locations?

If a gamer thinks a game is so good he must have it NOW, he's got no squawk coming when the price drops.

[korrigan]

Patience is not everything. In terms of PC Wargame industry, value matters.

If players think a wargame is not worth 40 € (1 diner or 2 books), and if they prepared to wait until the game is being sold at bargain price. Well, then we can close, because as I say there is no way we can survive with a game sold 30 €.

I know that Economists make nice curves with people trading money against time. The more you are ready to wait, the more you win.
But this is theory, because if you are not ready to pay then don't be surprised if there is nothing to buy.

I feel this thread should be moved in General discussion.

Best,

Korrigan

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: Executioner Five

Why pay Matrix a $20 premium, plus shipping? Let them drop the price. This situation is not fair to those of us who have supported Matrix and bought it's games--how about a little equal treatment for the folks who have supported you all along.

This is screwing us over, big time.

Nobody is forcing you to buy it through us. If you find a cheaper price then fair enough, use it. It is your right as a customer to compare prices and choose your vendor.

Matrix and AGEOD have no influence at all over retail pricing, that is completely in the hands of the retail chains and outlets. Our prices are negotiated between the developer and us. It is the price both parties want to see.

Is EB screwing you or anybody because they sell it more expensive then another outlet, let's say Walmart has it 5$ cheaper even? No, because that is how retail works. They sell it cheaper to make space on the shelves for follow up titles. If after a price drop the game is still not selling out in their market they put it in the bargain bin. If it still does not sell out they destroy the copies.

[ravinhood]

{However, be aware that with this kind of -50% price, our royalties are -50% too. You also have to know that producing physical copy (and most importantly: manual printing) is really expansive}
 
Hrmmm hold on here. From my dealings in the software industry the developer makes a deal with the distributers not the retailers for their game prices/royalties. You get a set price and a set number of copies bought up by the distributer who then sells these to retail outlets at a markup, which the retail outlets then have free hand/will to set any price they choose for your game. You've already reaped your royalties from the distributer. So, where are you getting you're losing 50% royalties if a vendor sells your game for 50% off or 75% off??

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: ravinhood
Hrmmm hold on here. From my dealings in the software industry the developer makes a deal with the distributers not the retailers for their game prices/royalties. You get a set price and a set number of copies bought up by the distributer who then sells these to retail outlets at a markup, which the retail outlets then have free hand/will to set any price they choose for your game. You've already reaped your royalties from the distributer. So, where are you getting you're losing 50% royalties if a vendor sells your game for 50% off or 75% off??

That is not generally so, it totally depends on the deal.

[korrigan]

Yup, and this was a deal between EB and SFI (BoA North America distributor), so we have no control on it. If SFI decided to sell the game at -50% price to a North American retailer, we'll get -50% royalties. But right now, we have no clue if EB was just emptying its stocks with a bargain sale or if they got the game for a lowered price. This question can be dealt between AGEOD and SFI, and this forum is not the place to discuss SFI business policy.
However, I can name you numerous products which you'll find at different prices according to which countries/States/Regions/Shops you buy them. We are not in a perfect market situation. Pure and perfect markets do not exist in real life. Everything can not be perfect, and you can't blame people on that, because they don't control everything. [:(]

But what I can tell you is that AGEOD and Matrix had a direct deal, without intermediates, because they were interested in working together and we both hope Matrix customers are happy with this. [:)]

best,

Korrigan

[FlyingElvis]

The way I see it, what Matrix brings to the table is a future for wargames. I don't think EB/Gamestop will much care if the PC wargaming industry dies as they sell their billionth copy of Halo 3.

That's fine, they are in the business to sell to the mass market.

But if you are a wargamer, be careful who you support with your hard earned money.