Physical copy price: Matrix Games versus Gamestop

[Wade1000]

Physical copy price: Matrix Games versus Gamestop
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Order Number: DR147714024 Change Currency Hong Kong Dollar(HKD) Norwegian Krone(NOK) New Zealand Dollar(NZD) Japanese Yen(JPY) Mexican Peso(MXN) Danish Krone(DKK) Australian Dollar(AUD) Canadian Dollar(CAD) Pound Sterling(GBP) Euro(EUR) US Dollar(USD)
Qty Product Name Delivery Method Stock Status Price Remove

Armada 2526 $49.99


Armada 2526 - Physical + Digital Included


Sub-Total $49.99


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Shipping & Handling $10.85
Promo Code

Total $60.84




Digital products sold into some European Countries will have local VAT (Tax) applied.
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To add a physical shipment it's an extra $10 PLUS another extra $10.85. That seems unreasonable. I can simply go to Gamestop and get it for $39.99; that saves me the extra $20.85. I'm baffled by these Matrix prices and fees. I will call my local Gamestop to see if it's in. I can wait for them to order it if it's not in.

Some might say I can just get the download for $39.99. I prefer to have a disk(a box is cool too) for replaying insurance in the future.

[Erik Rutins]

I'm checking on this, as far as I knew, the retail price was supposed to match our physical price.

[Aroddo]

Lucky you. In germany the game ain't available at all. Well, practically no one know about that game in germany due to no advertising and no copies sent to major game review magazines, but anyway, no german retail version at all.

And when ordering from UK via Matrix:

Code: Select all

 Armada 2526		  				33,99 EUR 			
 Armada 2526 - Physical + Digital Included 			
 Extended Download Service		                 2,80 EUR
                                                          --------  
  				Sub-Total               36,79 EUR
 		      Shipping & Handling		 4,72 EUR		  	
  	 	 	 	  		      -----------
  	 	 	 	  		      ----------- 	 	 	 		 	 	 
                        	 	   *Total	 	41,51 EUR
 

The digital download alone amounts to 27,99 EUR.

That would be $62,10 or $41,88 atm.

btw, I really wonder about the "Extended Download Service" ... as far as I know the steam downloads are available even longer (indefinetly) than the paid matrix service without any added costs at all.

Don't know if matrix has copy protection preventing you from securing the downloaded version, though. Still ...

[Aroddo]

btw. 40,00 EUR is considered CHEAP for a new high profile title.
For new niche products like Armada it's probably apropriate.

And no, europeans don't earn more than americans. But hey, we got free health care.

[Wade1000]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

I'm checking on this, as far as I knew, the retail price was supposed to match our physical price.

Thanks, Erik. I look forward to another response and a possible price adjust. I'm waiting awhile before buying from retail.

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Wade,

I just heard back, our pricing is correct. By contract, our download price had to match GameStop's download price. In both cases, this is $39.99. GameStop also has the physical copies in their stores for $39.99, whereas we can't offer those for the same price based on our costs. If you must have a boxed copy and you are on a tight budget and a local GameStop has one in stock, you will save some money by getting it that way. For downloads, I believe we are the best option.

Regards,

- Erik

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Aroddo
btw, I really wonder about the "Extended Download Service" ... as far as I know the steam downloads are available even longer (indefinetly) than the paid matrix service without any added costs at all.

We were required to offer this by DR, to be frank. We originally had unlimited downloads forever, but DR required that we charge for that due to their costs.

Don't know if matrix has copy protection preventing you from securing the downloaded version, though. Still ...

Our download version can be easily backed up onto a CD for your archives, in fact we encourage this.

[Aroddo]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: Aroddo

Don't know if matrix has copy protection preventing you from securing the downloaded version, though. Still ...

Our download version can be easily backed up onto a CD for your archives, in fact we encourage this.

Encourage it more aggressively, like in marketing. Apparently some people really don't like to install these copy-protection rootkits. They say so very vocally.

[Erik Rutins]

Aroddo,

We've been very open about that actually and one of the top positive comments we get from customers is that they appreciate that we don't make them deal with some kind of exotic DRM or assume that they are criminals. Just our usual serial number system and we strongly encourage keeping backup copies of all your downloaded games.

Regards,

- Erik

[Wade1000]

Well, mostly, I was trying to understand why there were TWO extra charges. $10 extra for a physical copy and another extra $10 for shipping and handling. I never saw that before but I guess that's what some companies do. I always thought the companies that do charge another $10 were including the shipping and handling in THAT.

Oh, well, no big deal. I was merley trying to inform and comment. I look forward to playing Armada 2526.

[Erik Rutins]

Wade,

What it basically comes down to is that the extra money goes to Digital River. We have a "game on demand" physical process with them that doesn't require us to keep a large physical stock. Instead, each boxed game is created "on demand" when you order it and personalized with your order number, serial number, etc. and shipped out. This allows us to have boxed copies even for niche games, but the cost is higher than it would be to do a large retail print run. That's why physical copies cost $10 more than the download. In addition to that, there's the shipping and handling, which is handled out of the US or EU warehouses, which are run by Digital River. The cost there depends on the shipping option you choose and where you live and again we don't see a dime of that.

Regards,

- Erik

[Wade1000]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Wade,

What it basically comes down to is that the extra money goes to Digital River. We have a "game on demand" physical process with them that doesn't require us to keep a large physical stock. Instead, each boxed game is created "on demand" when you order it and personalized with your order number, serial number, etc. and shipped out. This allows us to have boxed copies even for niche games, but the cost is higher than it would be to do a large retail print run. That's why physical copies cost $10 more than the download. In addition to that, there's the shipping and handling, which is handled out of the US or EU warehouses, which are run by Digital River. The cost there depends on the shipping option you choose and where you live and again we don't see a dime of that.

Regards,

- Erik

Alright, Thanks Erik. I appreciate the explanation. That aids understanding. Even though you were under no obligation to explain it, you took the time.

Good gaming! All your bases are belong to us.

[killroyishere]

But hey, we got free health care.

But, isn't that also where Dr. Frankenstein comes from? [:'(]