Opinions on WOTY Steam Release

[ckfinite]

I've been rather active on Steam around the release of the game, and something that's came up a lot is that the price seems unreasonable to a lot of people there. It's something that's came up some here, but I'd like to raise the point again, as I don't think that the game will sell anywhere near as well as it should with the current price structure. The problem isn't one of quality - personally, I think that I got far more than $80 worth from the game - but rather one of marketing. I don't think that someone who hasn't been following the game for some time is willing to pay $80 for something that they aren't sure about, and this has been supported by the reactions on Steam.

IMO, the "right" price would be $40. For the Steam consumer, this implies that the game is high quality (Skyrim is $40, and that's one of the best selling games there), but is low enough that the expectations aren't unreasonably high. To justify a $60 price to a Steam consumer (never mind a $80 one), the game needs to be completely perfect, something that can't reasonably be delivered. From the business standpoint, I also think that sales would far more than double as well, so you almost certainly wouldn't lose money on this.

[thewood1]

Pricing is always an issue on Steam. I am not a big believer in complex wargames going up there until near end of life. Although Il2 went up there at over $90, but its a simulation.

I also am concerned that if the price is too low, you'll get a bunch of people who buy it, are not committed to learning it, and want a refund. We have seen that even here at Matrix's forums.

[Sardaukar]

Indeed.

Command is a simulation too, not really a game, I'd say. It is niche product and requires certain type of player. It is definitely not even meant to be mainstream product. Mainstream player who would buy it would get bewildered/annoyed/frustrated very quickly and that'd give Command bad reputation. $80 price tag will ensure that only those who want it buy it.

[mikmykWS]

We'll let you know how it goes!

Renamed the string as the title made it look too much like an announcement from us.

thanks

[navwarcol]

I agree with the above sentiment. Pricing "high" will ensure that a lot of people interested in an arcade game do not buy it.

[Casinn]

You can always drop a price later, raising it is a bit problematic.

[Schnaufer]

Price on Steam is too high. They do not get a printed manual.
I bought it here, did not enjoy, but that's my fault.

Have a good day

[tommo8993]

I agree its way too high half of the discussions on steam are about the price, I know its a "premium" wargame but steam is not a premium store.

Is it not better to sell 2 copies at £30 than one at £60?

[chrisol]

I'm struggling to see how anyone would pay $300 million for this - not even got 3-d graphics. I guess it does have multi-monitor support.

Chris

(ref here: Buying Aegis )

[VFA41_Lion]

Reading the discussions in the steam forum makes me glad the price is keeping some of these children away D:

[hellfish6]

Anytime I talk to someone about Command, the conversation goes "I'd love to play it, but I won't spend that much on a game..."

I'm happy I paid what I did, but it's hard to convince those guys on the fence - especially without a demo.

Maybe in a few month's we'll see a midweek madness and Xmas sale on Steam, where the game is 75% off or something.

[mikmykWS]

Our sales there have been great[:)] So doesn't appear to be an issue.

Mike

[chemkid]

.

[hellfish6]

ORIGINAL: mikmyk

Our sales there have been great[:)] So doesn't appear to be an issue.

Mike

I'm very happy to hear that!

Hopefully a lot of new scenarios to play will be coming in...

[Rosseau]

People at Steam are paying $60 right now for TW Rome 2 EE edition - from a company (CA) that screwed them on the game the first time. As I've mentioned on the Steam forum myself, the hundreds of free user scenarios and thousands of images that can be downloaded make the $60 sale a must-do if you liked Harpoon but hated the terrible design and interface.

I also downloaded the free Global Blue game, but it's just not CMANO. That kind of quality will never be free.

[rwenstrup]

Steam wants to get greater exposure into the war game niche...and war game producers want to get the greater exposure Steam provides. Seems like there is the need to market war games to wargamers on Steam...they will pay the price for a top notch game. A marketing niche needs to be defined, promoted and supported...then the pricing issue will go away. To price to the existing Steam base for shooters would be a mistake...just saying...

...used to do this stuff...

[imadot]

Well right now its $60 bucks on Steam....[;)]

[Marder]

Thanks for the steam-release.
Do i have to download the database addons and descriptions or they are part of patch 1.05?

[TupeT]

ORIGINAL: Marder2075

Thanks for the steam-release.
Do i have to download the database addons and descriptions or they are part of patch 1.05?

Yes, you need to download the pictures and descriptions separately.

And first post for me long time lurker, bought the Steam version and that seems to be the best game purchase for me in a while.

[rsallen64]

I bought it on steam because of the price, and because many of my games are on steam as well (To End All Wars, Civil War II, etc.). I've wanted this game for quite some time, but couldn't afford it. I think the steam option will open it up to people like me. As for the people who were expecting a beer and pretzels type game, they obviously didn't actually look at it before buying, so I say too bad. I knew what I was getting into, and am very happy with what I got.[:D]

My only concern is that I would like to register it on Matrix, for access to the members only forum, etc., but Steam does not give me a key to enable me to do that.