I have been reading through the pricing debate threads and getting a little tired of it, but yet I did think it might be interesting to understand the purchasing habits of this community a little better. So, feel free to answer the following questions. Thanks.
(0) What is your rough age group and where does the money come from to purchase PC games (parents, family budget, gifts, ...)?
(1) About how many PC games do you purchase each year?
(2) What drives these purchases (Web forums, trade press reviews, feedback from friends, impulsive buying at the mall, ...)?
(3) On the average how long has each game been on the market when you buy it (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 6 months and beyond)?
(4) What percentage of the games you buy provide lasting entertainment value versus a short term fling that doesn't last much beyond the initial install?
(5) Does it matter to you who publishes and develops the game? Does it matter if they are a large corporate entity or a mom's/pop's operation catering to a niche market?
(6) Is your purchase of whole PCs/hardware the result of your gaming hobby or do simply install PC games on equipment that you would otherwise have available?
(7) If you purchases PCs/hardware for gaming, do you typically purchases top of the line, mid-range, or entry level equipment?
Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
Moderator: Arjuna
Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
2021 - Resigned in writing as a 20+ year Matrix Beta and never looked back ...
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
I guess I will go first, since I am starting this.
Age 40-50 years old. Money for purchases comes from family budget.
Purchase 3-5 games/year; on the average more are purchased right after a new PC purchase.
Purchases are driven by Web based reviews and forum feedback.
Games tend to have been on the market for 6 months or more.
About 25% of the games purchased provide lasting value.
I don't care who publisher/developer is but I am skeptical of large companies which tend to dump a product and its patches before it is fully polished and stable.
PC purchases are driven 50% by gaming and 50% by other needs.
Usually purchase a whole system as opposed to upgrades; at the time of purchase the system is usually top of the line.
Age 40-50 years old. Money for purchases comes from family budget.
Purchase 3-5 games/year; on the average more are purchased right after a new PC purchase.
Purchases are driven by Web based reviews and forum feedback.
Games tend to have been on the market for 6 months or more.
About 25% of the games purchased provide lasting value.
I don't care who publisher/developer is but I am skeptical of large companies which tend to dump a product and its patches before it is fully polished and stable.
PC purchases are driven 50% by gaming and 50% by other needs.
Usually purchase a whole system as opposed to upgrades; at the time of purchase the system is usually top of the line.
2021 - Resigned in writing as a 20+ year Matrix Beta and never looked back ...
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Hartford688
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:40 pm
- Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) 38 years
(1) maybe 4
(2) reviews, following matrix forums...
(3) 3 months...time for some reviews to come out, plus feedback to appear on forums
(4) not many..maybe 25%...HttR and CM in the end
(5) nope - but good publisher makes me look more closely
(6) gaming...even my POS PIII 800 does nearly anything required of non gaming
(7) 1 level of processor below top of line ...saves many $
(1) maybe 4
(2) reviews, following matrix forums...
(3) 3 months...time for some reviews to come out, plus feedback to appear on forums
(4) not many..maybe 25%...HttR and CM in the end
(5) nope - but good publisher makes me look more closely
(6) gaming...even my POS PIII 800 does nearly anything required of non gaming
(7) 1 level of processor below top of line ...saves many $
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) What is your rough age group and where does the money come from to purchase PC games (parents, family budget, gifts, ...)?
- 30-40, single, so no fights over who spends the "disposable income"
(1) About how many PC games do you purchase each year?
- I'd guess 10-12, including expansions etc.
(2) What drives these purchases (Web forums, trade press reviews, feedback from friends, impulsive buying at the mall, ...)?
- mainly reviews and word-of-mouth
(3) On the average how long has each game been on the market when you buy it (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 6 months and beyond)?
- 3-6 months, unless I *know* the game - the review cycle takes a while to complete anyway. (HTTR I bought after seeing a print review, up to that point I wasn't even aware it existed)
(4) What percentage of the games you buy provide lasting entertainment value versus a short term fling that doesn't last much beyond the initial install?
20%? Certainly nopt much more than that, of the 30 or so game CDs next to the PC, perhaps 3 or 4 are still being played at all regularly; some never even got installed again on the new PC.
(5) Does it matter to you who publishes and develops the game? Does it matter if they are a large corporate entity or a mom's/pop's operation catering to a niche market?
- if I have specific experience with the publisher/developers (good or bad). Even to the extent of refusing to buy expansions for games I like because the publishers are such weasels. (No, not aimed at matrix)
(6) Is your purchase of whole PCs/hardware the result of your gaming hobby or do simply install PC games on equipment that you would otherwise have available?
50-50 - PC would likely still be here anyway...
(7) If you purchases PCs/hardware for gaming, do you typically purchases top of the line, mid-range, or entry level equipment?
Top (or as near as I can get) which usually becomes mid-range within about 24 hours. I'm sure they wait until I buy before releasing the next GPU etc. :S
- 30-40, single, so no fights over who spends the "disposable income"
(1) About how many PC games do you purchase each year?
- I'd guess 10-12, including expansions etc.
(2) What drives these purchases (Web forums, trade press reviews, feedback from friends, impulsive buying at the mall, ...)?
- mainly reviews and word-of-mouth
(3) On the average how long has each game been on the market when you buy it (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 6 months and beyond)?
- 3-6 months, unless I *know* the game - the review cycle takes a while to complete anyway. (HTTR I bought after seeing a print review, up to that point I wasn't even aware it existed)
(4) What percentage of the games you buy provide lasting entertainment value versus a short term fling that doesn't last much beyond the initial install?
20%? Certainly nopt much more than that, of the 30 or so game CDs next to the PC, perhaps 3 or 4 are still being played at all regularly; some never even got installed again on the new PC.
(5) Does it matter to you who publishes and develops the game? Does it matter if they are a large corporate entity or a mom's/pop's operation catering to a niche market?
- if I have specific experience with the publisher/developers (good or bad). Even to the extent of refusing to buy expansions for games I like because the publishers are such weasels. (No, not aimed at matrix)
(6) Is your purchase of whole PCs/hardware the result of your gaming hobby or do simply install PC games on equipment that you would otherwise have available?
50-50 - PC would likely still be here anyway...
(7) If you purchases PCs/hardware for gaming, do you typically purchases top of the line, mid-range, or entry level equipment?
Top (or as near as I can get) which usually becomes mid-range within about 24 hours. I'm sure they wait until I buy before releasing the next GPU etc. :S
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
0. 53, the old fashion way, ....I earn it.
1. 1 to 2
2. forum feedback
3. 3 months
4. 80% longevity = > two years
5. no
6. Its a compromise - business/leisure
7. One step under the "top of the line".
1. 1 to 2
2. forum feedback
3. 3 months
4. 80% longevity = > two years
5. no
6. Its a compromise - business/leisure
7. One step under the "top of the line".
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
0) What is your rough age group and where does the money come from to purchase PC games (parents, family budget, gifts, ...)?
55 /Work for a living
(1) About how many PC games do you purchase each year?
About 6 from new releases a few more from bargain bins at odd lots/etc
(2) What drives these purchases (Web forums, trade press reviews, feedback from friends, impulsive buying at the mall, ...)?
Mostly from web forums
(3) On the average how long has each game been on the market when you buy it (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 6 months and beyond)?
3 months
(4) What percentage of the games you buy provide lasting entertainment value versus a short term fling that doesn't last much beyond the initial install?
Maybe 10% last only a month or so,,A few last years EAW,Falcon4,Campaign series and looks like HTTR
(5) Does it matter to you who publishes and develops the game? Does it matter if they are a large corporate entity or a mom's/pop's operation catering to a niche market?
Not much but a good game tends to make me look at sunsequent releases
(6) Is your purchase of whole PCs/hardware the result of your gaming hobby or do simply install PC games on equipment that you would otherwise have available?
For gaming
(7) If you purchases PCs/hardware for gaming, do you typically purchases top of the line, mid-range, or entry level equipment?
As budjet allows i upgrade but don't upgrade just to play a particular game..Running a 1.2 GHZ P3 I built my self
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PaulWRoberts
- Posts: 904
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2001 8:00 am
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) I am 35, and my purchases come out of the family budget.
(1) I purchase about 6-7 games a year, although that number is going down.
(2) I have very specific tastes (mature wargames, realistic flightsims, and sometimes tactical shooters). I follow the online news about these titles carefully, and I only buy games that seem to fit my profile. Occasionally a "blockbuster" game will get my attention, but these are rare.
(3) I usually know when a quality game is coming, so I frequently buy it as soon as it is available.
(4) I'd say that about fifty percent of my purchases last a long time for me.
(5) It's rare that the big publishers create a game I'll actually want. My favorite developers are Big Time Software (Combat Mission), Matrix Games (HTTR), and HPS (Panzer Campaigns). Of course I probably will get Doom 3 when it appears.
(6) I use my PC for a variety of tasks (I'm a teacher, so I do writing, research, spreadsheets, etc. as well as gaming). But sometimes it feels like I am doing work on my gaming machine instead of the other way around...
(7) I buy a new system every three years or so, and it's usually near the top of the line at purchase. As we all know, however, nothing stays top of the line for long.
(1) I purchase about 6-7 games a year, although that number is going down.
(2) I have very specific tastes (mature wargames, realistic flightsims, and sometimes tactical shooters). I follow the online news about these titles carefully, and I only buy games that seem to fit my profile. Occasionally a "blockbuster" game will get my attention, but these are rare.
(3) I usually know when a quality game is coming, so I frequently buy it as soon as it is available.
(4) I'd say that about fifty percent of my purchases last a long time for me.
(5) It's rare that the big publishers create a game I'll actually want. My favorite developers are Big Time Software (Combat Mission), Matrix Games (HTTR), and HPS (Panzer Campaigns). Of course I probably will get Doom 3 when it appears.
(6) I use my PC for a variety of tasks (I'm a teacher, so I do writing, research, spreadsheets, etc. as well as gaming). But sometimes it feels like I am doing work on my gaming machine instead of the other way around...
(7) I buy a new system every three years or so, and it's usually near the top of the line at purchase. As we all know, however, nothing stays top of the line for long.
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
0.32
1.4 (this will increase a lot this year if Matrix gets some more of its games out)!
2. Reviews, game type and Matrix or Battlefront on the odd occasion!
3. Depends if it is one Im waiting on if it is As soon as forum members review and it souns good I will buy. Or if its a sequel then straight away unless there seems to be bug issues. BIN is being bought on release.
4. Hehe. Christ the only games which I forsee staying on my harddive at present are KP, IL2 FB and HTTR (when I get it). Until BiN comes out KP will stay on. Most games are initial excitement then apathy. The last game for me to play on and on and on was Elite on my BBC B back in 1983.
5. At the moment I only truat Battlefront and MAtrix.
6. Yes.
7. Depends on the money situation and on what I need at the time. I never buy top of the line though I drather wait for a few months and then buy it when it has been superceded.
1.4 (this will increase a lot this year if Matrix gets some more of its games out)!
2. Reviews, game type and Matrix or Battlefront on the odd occasion!
3. Depends if it is one Im waiting on if it is As soon as forum members review and it souns good I will buy. Or if its a sequel then straight away unless there seems to be bug issues. BIN is being bought on release.
4. Hehe. Christ the only games which I forsee staying on my harddive at present are KP, IL2 FB and HTTR (when I get it). Until BiN comes out KP will stay on. Most games are initial excitement then apathy. The last game for me to play on and on and on was Elite on my BBC B back in 1983.
5. At the moment I only truat Battlefront and MAtrix.
6. Yes.
7. Depends on the money situation and on what I need at the time. I never buy top of the line though I drather wait for a few months and then buy it when it has been superceded.
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Moose 4075
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 5:59 pm
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
I am 34 and my money comes out of my budget. I am single and have no children though.
I probably purchase only about 2 games per year, but Matrix has a large number in queue that I find incredibly interesting, might change.
I think the forums are probably the biggest driving issue behind purchases.
On average probably 3 months, but I did buy Uncommon Valor and Combat Mission upon release and am planning on doing so with WitP and possibly CotA too.
About 50% supply lasting entertainment. I feel like a sucker when they don't.
I definitely prefer Ma & Pa, but I wouldn't avoid big titles, but I can't stand FPS etc. so rare that I even look at big corporate games.
My hardware purchases are dictated by my primary hobby that I am trying to turn into a career, nature photography.
I probably purchase only about 2 games per year, but Matrix has a large number in queue that I find incredibly interesting, might change.
I think the forums are probably the biggest driving issue behind purchases.
On average probably 3 months, but I did buy Uncommon Valor and Combat Mission upon release and am planning on doing so with WitP and possibly CotA too.
About 50% supply lasting entertainment. I feel like a sucker when they don't.
I definitely prefer Ma & Pa, but I wouldn't avoid big titles, but I can't stand FPS etc. so rare that I even look at big corporate games.
My hardware purchases are dictated by my primary hobby that I am trying to turn into a career, nature photography.
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JudgeDredd
- Posts: 8362
- Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2003 7:28 pm
- Location: Scotland
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) 37 and money comes from family budget
(1) >5 and < 10
(2) Hype drives my interest, then feedback and reviews will determine if I buy. I used to buy from GAME on release date (no matter what reviews said) because I could take the game back in 10 days - bit they've stopped that...so I will be listening to reviews from now on.
(3) Bought on release mostly - otherwise, I wait and tend to look in budget lines
(4) I'd say 70% of my purchases give me lasting playability...they are normally sims (any outcome can happen)
(5) Maker does not bother me. If the reviews are good, I'll try
(6) PC is soley for gaming
(7) I ALWAYS build my own (I know what I'm putting in then) but I will normally go mid-range - purely because I don't have the money to go for top of the line. If I did have the money, I would buy top of the line. I normally upgrade motherboard and graphics cards about 1 every 2 years (memory if needed). I will replace other items as they become defunc. My monitor is a 4 year old 17" Belinea, my cae is 4 years old. I put a new harddrive in recently rather than buying one big one to replace smaller one.
(1) >5 and < 10
(2) Hype drives my interest, then feedback and reviews will determine if I buy. I used to buy from GAME on release date (no matter what reviews said) because I could take the game back in 10 days - bit they've stopped that...so I will be listening to reviews from now on.
(3) Bought on release mostly - otherwise, I wait and tend to look in budget lines
(4) I'd say 70% of my purchases give me lasting playability...they are normally sims (any outcome can happen)
(5) Maker does not bother me. If the reviews are good, I'll try
(6) PC is soley for gaming
(7) I ALWAYS build my own (I know what I'm putting in then) but I will normally go mid-range - purely because I don't have the money to go for top of the line. If I did have the money, I would buy top of the line. I normally upgrade motherboard and graphics cards about 1 every 2 years (memory if needed). I will replace other items as they become defunc. My monitor is a 4 year old 17" Belinea, my cae is 4 years old. I put a new harddrive in recently rather than buying one big one to replace smaller one.
Alba gu' brath
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
0) I'm 33. Money for games comes from my own budget.
1) I purchase between 10 to 15 games per year.
2) I am mostly driven by reviews when it comes to buying, although I am not immune to the occasional impulsive buying.
3) I wait until there is enough reviews before buying a game, except for some specific titles that I want immediately.
4) About 20% of the games I buy provide long lasting value (i.e. I play them on a constant basis for up to a year)
5) The developer/publisher is important for me, especially regarding quality and customer service and community support.
6) My gaming habit is the main driver behind my PC setup and upgrades
7) I usually purchase top of the line
1) I purchase between 10 to 15 games per year.
2) I am mostly driven by reviews when it comes to buying, although I am not immune to the occasional impulsive buying.
3) I wait until there is enough reviews before buying a game, except for some specific titles that I want immediately.
4) About 20% of the games I buy provide long lasting value (i.e. I play them on a constant basis for up to a year)
5) The developer/publisher is important for me, especially regarding quality and customer service and community support.
6) My gaming habit is the main driver behind my PC setup and upgrades
7) I usually purchase top of the line
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
Ahh... VOC (voice of customer)
0) 32 Family budget
1) 1 - 2 as most games are horrible, bug-filled waste of time
2) forum - got to put in the research if I'm going to shell-out $30-40
3) about 3 months - enough time to get some serious feedback
4) 50%
5) Yes - I go by track record. If you have been terrible before, chances are you will be terrible again. Reputation carries a heavy weight with me.
6) Tough question... I haven't purchased a PC in several years. If I do purchase a new PC it will be due necessity (current PC cannot be fixed).
7) If I do buy it will be a mid-level model.
0) 32 Family budget
1) 1 - 2 as most games are horrible, bug-filled waste of time
2) forum - got to put in the research if I'm going to shell-out $30-40
3) about 3 months - enough time to get some serious feedback
4) 50%
5) Yes - I go by track record. If you have been terrible before, chances are you will be terrible again. Reputation carries a heavy weight with me.
6) Tough question... I haven't purchased a PC in several years. If I do purchase a new PC it will be due necessity (current PC cannot be fixed).
7) If I do buy it will be a mid-level model.
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
40, employment.
4-6
web forums, chiefly
0 months
5%
it matters a great deal - coprorate stuff is usually junk
i buy hardware to play games
upper middle
4-6
web forums, chiefly
0 months
5%
it matters a great deal - coprorate stuff is usually junk
i buy hardware to play games
upper middle
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The_MadMan
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:42 am
- Location: Arnhem
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) 26, earn it myself
(1) 1-2
(2) Interest in the theme of the game / Magazine Reviews / Web reviews / Forums
(3) Does not matter to me but not too old, for good games age does not matter
(4) 100%, I don't buy games that arn't worth it
(5) Don't care as long as the game is good
(6) I totally upgraded my pc for BF1942
(7) Mid-rangem top of the line usually isn't worth the extra cash
(1) 1-2
(2) Interest in the theme of the game / Magazine Reviews / Web reviews / Forums
(3) Does not matter to me but not too old, for good games age does not matter
(4) 100%, I don't buy games that arn't worth it
(5) Don't care as long as the game is good
(6) I totally upgraded my pc for BF1942
(7) Mid-rangem top of the line usually isn't worth the extra cash
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) 34, my own income
(1) 2-3
(2) Web-based reviews
(3) mostly 6 months or older (I keep my eye out for 1-2 year old games that are all patched, expansion packed, and re-released)
(4) 90% (I'm selective and do the research before hand - Falcon 4, X-Com, Chessmaster ... all in permanent residence on my harddrive)
(5) No, but I've recently come to appreciate Matrix Games
(6), (7) I buy my system for my research needs, graphics cards don't come into play, and I usually buy something that's mid-range and at least a year outdated.
(1) 2-3
(2) Web-based reviews
(3) mostly 6 months or older (I keep my eye out for 1-2 year old games that are all patched, expansion packed, and re-released)
(4) 90% (I'm selective and do the research before hand - Falcon 4, X-Com, Chessmaster ... all in permanent residence on my harddrive)
(5) No, but I've recently come to appreciate Matrix Games
(6), (7) I buy my system for my research needs, graphics cards don't come into play, and I usually buy something that's mid-range and at least a year outdated.
Troubles overcome are good to tell. -Yiddish saying
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
My turn...
(0) I'm 34 years old. Money is hard earned at work.
(1) Usually I buy one game per year for me. 2003 was exceptional : I bought three of them [;)] Children receive more, but it's not the subject at hand.
(2) Web forums, demo, reviews. No impulse buy. I buy after a well balanced, accurate, dedicated process of thoughts. [:)]
(3) Usually I wait 3 to 6 months, maybe more. HttR was again an exception. [8|]
(4) Nearly 100%, as I particularly pay attention to buying games that do provide lasting entertainement. Exception is Sudden Strike II, but it came bundled with another game I wanted.
(5) No it does not. Last wargames I bought were made by teams of less than 5 persons : RDoA, CMBB, HttR. But there is an added coolness factor to buy from small and sometimes obscure shops.
(6) I don't buy or upgrade PCs for games. But when upgrade/buying time comes, gaming is taken into account.
(7) I used to purchase just below the top of the line. But nowadays, entry level equipments are already too much for my computing needs.
JeF.
(0) I'm 34 years old. Money is hard earned at work.
(1) Usually I buy one game per year for me. 2003 was exceptional : I bought three of them [;)] Children receive more, but it's not the subject at hand.
(2) Web forums, demo, reviews. No impulse buy. I buy after a well balanced, accurate, dedicated process of thoughts. [:)]
(3) Usually I wait 3 to 6 months, maybe more. HttR was again an exception. [8|]
(4) Nearly 100%, as I particularly pay attention to buying games that do provide lasting entertainement. Exception is Sudden Strike II, but it came bundled with another game I wanted.
(5) No it does not. Last wargames I bought were made by teams of less than 5 persons : RDoA, CMBB, HttR. But there is an added coolness factor to buy from small and sometimes obscure shops.
(6) I don't buy or upgrade PCs for games. But when upgrade/buying time comes, gaming is taken into account.
(7) I used to purchase just below the top of the line. But nowadays, entry level equipments are already too much for my computing needs.
JeF.
Rendez-vous at Loenen before 18:00.
Don't loose your wallet !
Conquest Of The Aegean Web Development Team
The Drop Zone
Don't loose your wallet !
Conquest Of The Aegean Web Development Team
The Drop Zone
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Willard
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2004 8:42 pm
- Location: Up the Nung river past Do Lung bridge...
- Contact:
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
0) 30-35, family budget
(1) 2-5 depending on genre
(2) Previews, reviews, feedback from forums
(3) Generally 3-6 months, I am a bargain shopper and pretty conservative...don't like to throw money away as I have been burned before.
(4) 70% -- If I buy the game I am going to play it for at least a year. I had Sid Meier's Gettysburg on my PC for 2+ years.
(5) Yes. For example I will never purchase another Paradox game at release. I will now wait for for several months before even considering purchasing the game, and that is after extensive forum surfing and checking out the patch situation. I do like Matrix and Panther--in HTTR they provided a quality product that was playable out of the box and have patched it to fix what I consider to minor fixes.
(6) The last PC I purchased was in 2000, Pentium 3, 800mhz...the graphics adaptor I purchased to play FPS. I purchased additional RAM cause I needed it.
(7) Entry to mid-- the PC is 4 years old and I am just trying to get a few more years before upgrading.
(1) 2-5 depending on genre
(2) Previews, reviews, feedback from forums
(3) Generally 3-6 months, I am a bargain shopper and pretty conservative...don't like to throw money away as I have been burned before.
(4) 70% -- If I buy the game I am going to play it for at least a year. I had Sid Meier's Gettysburg on my PC for 2+ years.
(5) Yes. For example I will never purchase another Paradox game at release. I will now wait for for several months before even considering purchasing the game, and that is after extensive forum surfing and checking out the patch situation. I do like Matrix and Panther--in HTTR they provided a quality product that was playable out of the box and have patched it to fix what I consider to minor fixes.
(6) The last PC I purchased was in 2000, Pentium 3, 800mhz...the graphics adaptor I purchased to play FPS. I purchased additional RAM cause I needed it.
(7) Entry to mid-- the PC is 4 years old and I am just trying to get a few more years before upgrading.
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
ORIGINAL: MarkShot
(0) What is your rough age group - 52
where does the money come from - work
(1) About how many PC games do you purchase each year? - ~6
(2) What drives these purchases - genre/reviews
(3) how long has each game been on the market when you buy it - ~3 mos
(4) percentage of games provide lasting entertainment - >80%
(5) Does it matter to you who publishes and develops the game? - yes
(6) Is your purchase of whole PCs/hardware the result of your gaming hobby - yes
(7) purchase PCs/hardware for gaming? - upgrade hardware one step below best
Find 'em, Fix 'em, & Kill 'em
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) What is your rough age group and where does the money come from to purchase PC games (parents, family budget, gifts, ...)?
40 - Job.
(1) About how many PC games do you purchase each year?
Many.
(2) What drives these purchases (Web forums, trade press reviews, feedback from friends, impulsive buying at the mall, ...)?
All of the above.
(3) On the average how long has each game been on the market when you buy it (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 6 months and beyond)?
0 months.
(4) What percentage of the games you buy provide lasting entertainment value versus a short term fling that doesn't last much beyond the initial install?
5%
(5) Does it matter to you who publishes and develops the game? Does it matter if they are a large corporate entity or a mom's/pop's operation catering to a niche market?
Does not matter.
(6) Is your purchase of whole PCs/hardware the result of your gaming hobby or do simply install PC games on equipment that you would otherwise have available?
Gaming hobby.
(7) If you purchases PCs/hardware for gaming, do you typically purchases top of the line, mid-range, or entry level equipment?
top of the line.
I too get tired of the price whining considering that a DVD that I watch twice ever costs $30+. A game that gves me hundreds of hours of fun is cheap when compared to any other form of entertainment.
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CriticalMass
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:37 pm
- Location: London, UK
- Contact:
RE: Informal Survey - somewhat related to price discussions
(0) What is your rough age group and where does the money come from to purchase PC games (parents, family budget, gifts, ...)?
40 - creative accounting cough I mean family budget (that's under yer hat right) [;)]
(1) About how many PC games do you purchase each year?
2 ish
(2) What drives these purchases (Web forums, trade press reviews, feedback from friends, impulsive buying at the mall, ...)?
Usual see something @ SimHQ.com (used to be CombatSim) which leads to a bit of surfing, then lurking the forums
e.g. How did I get here: '98 searching for ASL online led me to Combat Mission @ Battlefront.com I lurked the boards then RDoA was mentioned....
(3) On the average how long has each game been on the market when you buy it (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 6 months and beyond)?
Preorder if I like waht I see (HttR was the exception...just because of the "debacle")
(4) What percentage of the games you buy provide lasting entertainment value versus a short term fling that doesn't last much beyond the initial install?
All until the next one
(5) Does it matter to you who publishes and develops the game? Does it matter if they are a large corporate entity or a mom's/pop's operation catering to a niche market?
No
(6) Is your purchase of whole PCs/hardware the result of your gaming hobby or do simply install PC games on equipment that you would otherwise have available?
used to be totally game related
(played Microproses Descision in the Desert on a friends Commodore64 - bought one; saw f/18 interceptor bought an Amiga; saw a review for Panther Games' Fire Brigade...)
Now it's more developmant (Web) with enough to "play" with
(7) If you purchases PCs/hardware for gaming, do you typically purchases top of the line, mid-range, or entry level equipment?
refer to 6
TANX
Andrew
I decided to ignore my orders and to take command at the front with my own hands as soon as possible
- Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel
- Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel