What's up with the prices?

[Nistenf]

So, I heard about a game, Close Combat, so I decided to try it. I see that is an old series, and that Matrix Games has been making re releases of the old games. So I decide to try the first of the remakes, Cross of Iron. I thought it would be a cheap game, being a remake and 3/4 years old, but it's $160 for the digital edition, and $200 for the boxed (that's 40 and 50 dollars respectively). So my question is, what is the pricing policy of Matrix Games? Do they ever drop the prices? Would any of you spend 160 on a game?

[diablo1]

These are classic antique games haven't you ever been to an antique store or auction? They are worth thousands and you are getting them really cheap. [:)]

[2ndACR]

Sound like another store oops from Plimus. I don't think I paid anywhere near that long ago when I got it.

[hadberz]

You missed the Christmas sale, Cross of Iron was on sale for $26.99. They do have other sales every now and then.

[Erik Rutins]

Nistenf,

Could you post a screenshot of what you are seeing please? Those are definitely not the correct prices!

I just checked the store and the prices there are set correctly and they look fine to me when looking at our store page. I'm very curious how you got this to happen.


Regards,

- Erik

[Nistenf]

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough, 160 and 200 are in my local currency, as I said in the original post, that's 40 and 50 dollars. Sorry for the misunderstanding!

[Erik Rutins]

Aha, sorry for my misunderstanding. Yes, the new store converts prices to local currencies on the fly, so if that's equivalent to $40 and $50, then those are the accurate prices.

Regards,

- Erik

[bairdlander2]

Maybe Matrix could do what ps3 does with all games and call them "greatest hits" and sell them at a reduced price.I think after 4 years the price should go down,not charge the release price.Using the car analogy my vehicle is 5 years old and has only 5000km on it.I paid less then half of the release price of the vehicle.Its used but its like new almost.

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

So my question is, what is the pricing policy of Matrix Games?

The same as everybody else's; whatever they think will maximise the bottom line.

Do they ever drop the prices?

Usually only for the Christmas sale and the odd 'Blitzkreig' sale on selected games, but ther have been exceptions.

Would any of you spend 160 on a game?

Depends on the game. All are not created equal.

[Scott_WAR]

I dont know why Matrix insists on making sure the majority of the older titles are rarely bought. Most companies make a lot of money on their older titles by reducing the price. But hey,...if Matrix is doing so well they dont need to make any extra money off of old titles that wont sell at release price, but would probably sell well at half price., then good for them. At least at this rate they will never get so big, that they stop caring about their customers.....like EA etc.......

[Phatguy]

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

So, I heard about a game, Close Combat, so I decided to try it. I see that is an old series, and that Matrix Games has been making re releases of the old games. So I decide to try the first of the remakes, Cross of Iron. I thought it would be a cheap game, being a remake and 3/4 years old, but it's $160 for the digital edition, and $200 for the boxed (that's 40 and 50 dollars respectively). So my question is, what is the pricing policy of Matrix Games? Do they ever drop the prices? Would any of you spend 160 on a game?

In a heartbeat...for the right game like CNA or WiTP(reprinted version)

[JWW]

It is really a business decision regarding the older games. The old supply/demand thing. Selling one game for $40 or selling four for $10 brings in the same amount of money. I know there are other considerations Matrix makes, but I am also sure their pricing policy is to set the prices to maximize profits both for the short term and long term. I would imagine their thinking also considers the fact that some of their games can be bought cheaper at other sites, so that is part of the supply/demand thing, too. So there is a balance regarding pleasing the customer and making money and staying in business. A balance? Giving the games away would make customers very happy, but then Matrix would not have much of a future. So they sit down with their bean counters and come up with strategies that try to balance all these factors out.

I'm a little different on my game-buying strategy than a lot of folks, too. I very rarely buy a game new. I wait. And I buy on sale. I bought COTA on sale during the holidays. I've looked at it since it came out and just waited. I really don't worry too much about new game prices since I'm usually not buying new. But I also buy all my Matrix games from Matrix. That's not criticizing anyone who buys them cheaper elsewhere. It is just my decision on how to buy games and how to support the company.

[Yogi the Great]

ORIGINAL: JW

But I also buy all my Matrix games from Matrix. That's not criticizing anyone who buys them cheaper elsewhere. It is just my decision on how to buy games and how to support the company.

Nothing wrong with that, but it sparks my interest on two questions I have. 1) How many people intentionally like to buy direct from the Game Company that makes the product instead of from a cheaper source? 2) Are there any advantages to doing so?

For example: I use to buy HPS games direct from HPS until I discovered I could buy them $10 to $20 cheaper from NWS. Seems to be the same game and I am always able to upgrade them with the new update patches direct through HPS. So I see no advantage to paying the higher price. Recently at a discount store I found AGEOD's American Civil War The Blue and the Gray (also sold by Matrix) for $9.99. From Matrix it is listed for $19.99 download and $29.99 Hard copy. I was able to upgrade the game with the latest patch through AGEOD. So again what advantage other then feeling good about supporting Matrix (which I like to do) is there to the buyer?

Just curious to hear thoughts and reasons from others.

[bairdlander2]

Matrix is a publisher,print publisher's usually lower prices on older titles,why not Matrix?

[wodin]

When I read how many people rush out and buy loads of games they probably never even thought about getting when first released during a Steam sale it boggles the mind...thus I honestly feel if the older games had their prices dropped they would make way more money from them....I expect certain games on here barely tick over....shove them out cheap and you will have all and sundry buying them...just look over at The Wargamer and see how many rush out when Steam has a sale on...

[Phatguy]

ORIGINAL: bairdlander

Matrix is a publisher,print publisher's usually lower prices on older titles,why not Matrix?

More than likely because this is a niche field and if they generally lowered prices a year or two after release a lot of fence sitters would wait for the cheaper price. This would lead them to slowly implode..

The big dogs can get away because of their huge gaming base. If a third of their demographic holds off till their price drops there wouldnt be as much pain and suffering as if a third of us waited for the big droppoff.......

[Lützow]

Widening the audience would devastate our hobby on the long haul. I experienced this with (MMO)RPG's back then, when mainstream gamers got lured into this genre and demanded that everything has to be tuned down to a level where they could access it.

I rather pay more for a wargame and keep things as they are. It's not that hardcore players have a wide range of games to choose from anyway.

[diablo1]

I think Apathetic Lurker is correct. There's so many games out there now it's really easy to wait until they are much cheaper. Patience is the key nowadays.

[ilovestrategy]

I just wait for a sale. Not by choice, but because I'm married with a family! [:D]

[diablo1]

Wait till these gas prices skyrocket to $5 a gallon. I bet games go up then too. I know food will as when it inched over $3.00 a gallon here meat when up .50lb