DCS: F-14A/A+/B by Heatblur Simulations coming to DCS World!

[Lt.Seahawk]

I would pay even more for a two seater module to be honest, if you take a look at Modules in the FSX section that are as realistic as they can be like the ones from PMDG, you are paying nearly 100 bucks or even more for it but it's definetly worth the money.

 

I think it depends on the system depth but I'm sure that LN will set the bar pretty high just like they did with the Mig-21.

[King_Hrothgar]

You might but a lot of others won't. Getting a right price point for a product is a tricky balancing act. Make it too cheap and you won't make as much money. Make it too expensive and people won't buy it in sufficient numbers. Try to do both by making it expensive at first and cheaper with a sale 6 months later and you'll see the same thing. A lot of people are willing to simply wait if it means getting 2-3 planes for the price of one at release date. Anything beyond the $60 mark is likely to fall into this latter category.

 

To me, no individual plane you could possibly develop is worth more than $60 and even that is really pushing it. But I do agree two seaters should cost more than single seaters of comparable complexity. I guess what I'm saying is the $50 price for single seat fighters, especially WW2 and Korean stuff, is way too high atm. Just as an example, I am interested in BST's MiG-15. But as much as I maybe interested in it, I will not pay more than $10 to get it. Anything more is just a ripoff imho.

[Flagrum]

Yes but if you increase the cost of the module because of a free theatre, it's not really free is it? That said, I will pay whatever they ask for for this one!

Nothing is really free. In one way or the other the customers will always pay for such "free" stuff, directly or indirectly. If something costs money to be made then it is necessary for a dev to earn that money somehow - otherwise the business will not last very long.

 

Personally I would expect the F-14 module to have a higher price than "the average DCS module". Not because of the multiplayer cockpit feature - that is about to become standard in DCS. But because of the general complexity of the plane, the fact that we get two aircraft and also an additional map. And last but not least, because the aircraft is so much ... wanted by the customer base that it seems quite legit that a higher price will be easily attainable.

 

I am not proposing this, but I would not be shocked if it will be something like 89.99 USD.

[King_Hrothgar]

I'd be surprised at that price tbh and would not buy it. If you look at the other plane that broke the $50 price, the C-101, it did not sell well at all. Very few DCS players have actually purchased it as best as I can tell. That's a clear sign it is far too expensive for what it offers. The F-14 certainly offers more and is more desirable, but I think you've over estimated what most players are willing to pay.

 

For comparison, at $90 I could buy IL2:BoM when it goes on offer. That's 10 planes at well above DCS quality in flight and damage modeling, comparable graphically and using a halfway point between simple and advanced systems management. Sticking with DCS, I could buy BST's upcoming AH-1W and Mi-24P on day one for the same price too (within $10). Both scenarios are things to take seriously, as I suspect all four will be released within a few months of each other. Some on this forum may have an infinite video game budget, but most players don't.

[Dudikoff]

I'd be surprised at that price tbh and would not buy it. If you look at the other plane that broke the $50 price, the C-101, it did not sell well at all. Very few DCS players have actually purchased it as best as I can tell. That's a clear sign it is far too expensive for what it offers. The F-14 certainly offers more and is more desirable, but I think you've over estimated what most players are willing to pay.

 

I don't see how can you compare Tomcat to a C-101 in any way. The latter is a Spanish trainer jet most of the people presumably don't know or care about. DCS: A-10 cost $70 when it came out IIRC. Thus $90 or more is certainly not an unreasonable price given the extra systems to be modeled.

 

For comparison, at $90 I could buy IL2:BoM when it goes on offer. That's 10 planes at well above DCS quality in flight and damage modeling, comparable graphically and using a halfway point between simple and advanced systems management. Sticking with DCS, I could buy BST's upcoming AH-1W and Mi-24P on day one for the same price too (within $10).

 

If you think the WW2 sim IL2:BoM offers the same thing for you or more, then go buy it. I don't know why are you discussing this even then. The company will set the price based on their experience and perceived value according to the invested efforts. Bottom line is, this development is very time consuming and thus costly. Just because you can eventually get planes at funny prices like $10, doesn't mean that that is a realistic price and the company will stay afloat if everybody does that.

Edited March 14, 2015 by Dudikoff

[pyromaniac4002]

If you look at the other plane that broke the $50 price, the C-101, it did not sell well at all.

 

My C-101 module and I would love to see your market research.

[mwd2]

A-10C was $59.99

[Dudikoff]

A-10C was $59.99

 

That was the prepurchase price, not the release price IIRC.

[mwd2]

That was the prepurchase price, not the release price IIRC.

 

Yes and No.

 

DUXFORD, UK, February 21, 2011 – The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics now offer “DCS: A-10C Warthog” as a digital download for $59.99.

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=67746

[Kuky]

Why don't you guys leave this pricing talk be... let the developers figure it out ;)

 

But I just want to say one thing... some people would pay more than others, so to say something is not the right price is wrong... when price is higher, then people that have the money and still want it... they will buy it, as sales start slowing down (less of those people that will pay good money for it) then they can reduce it and more people will buy it. Also there are sales there for a reason.

 

Now nough from me... talk something interesting (like about the jet) and not about what is the right price... when its out you will know what it is.

[Dudikoff]

Yes and No. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=67746

 

It would seem you're right. In fact, I'm sure I've made this wrong presumption already as I expect the release price to have been higher.

[VincentLaw]

don`t forget the free Theatre the bundle!

It's not really free if it is a consideration in the pricing of the item.

Thus $90 or more is certainly not an unreasonable price given the extra systems to be modeled.

At that price, I would wait for even the Tomcat to come on sale. I suspect they would make less sales and less money for anything much higher than $60. Edited March 14, 2015 by VincentLaw

[shagrat]

If I would be LNS, I would follow the major companies scheme to make more money.

Simply release the F-14A at a price of $59.90 and after a year offer the "new" F-14A+/B including dual seat MP feature as a separate plane for another $59.90... In between you could add the Two Seated integration upgrade to the F-14A for an additional $19.90, easily.

Hey, it works for Battlefield, Call of Duty, quite well.

 

If you ask me, we are pretty lucky with the prices we pay for quality products that take tremendous manhours in research, development and programming.

If LNS is remotely matching or even exceeding the level and quality of the MiG-21 module, they should be entitled to a fair price! ...and I personally would consider $69.90 a bargain for 2 variants.

[VincentLaw]

If I would be LNS, I would follow the major companies scheme to make more money.

Simply release the F-14A at a price of $59.90 and after a year offer the "new" F-14A+/B including dual seat MP feature as a separate plane for another $59.90...

If they decide to charge for the A and B variants separately, I will not buy the A variant at all. I would rather have the newer variant and buying the F-14 is competing against other things I could buy. I realize some people here are completionists, but my wallet is not an infinite fountain of money that buys everything DCS. I would rather upgrade my joystick than buy a second copy of the same plane with different avionics.

In between you could add the Two Seated integration upgrade to the F-14A for an additional $19.90, easily.

Hey, it works for Battlefield, Call of Duty, quite well.

I strongly encourage developers to NOT get too carried away with paid upgrades and microtransactions. I don't want DCS: Horse Armor to be a thing. Edited March 14, 2015 by VincentLaw

[GeorgeLKMT]

Except higher price doesn't mean bigger profits, quite the opposite. I'm not saying they should put a tiny price tag on it, or they don't deserve money, but it was proven over and over again that more accesible price or large discounts boosts profits by insane amount (look at steam or humble bundle). If it wasn't profitable, those sales wouldn't happen, why do you think ED makes them like 10 times a year?

 

Another case in point, newly released Cities:Skylines costs like a half of the normal AAA game and it already broke a sales records for the company. It's currently the best selling game on Steam as well.

 

I've seen a lot of "I would totally pay 200 bucks for it!" enthusiasm on this forum, but that's just not how it works. Just because you can afford it, doesn't mean everybody can. Comparison with highly acclaimed and popular AAA game titles is irellevant, LNS is not going to sell a million copies in a week.

[PFunk1606688187]

People pay $90 for the PMDG 777, and thats before you consider the -300 expansion. Its not unreasonable I don't think and its gonna sell no matter what.

 

I mean lets look at this. We're a niche community. We pony up insane cash for peripherals. People buy $500 joysticks just to fly the A-10C that hasn't cost $60 in a long time. I've personally put hundreds of hours into that plane alone.

 

How many people are going to fly the Tomcat basically every week for the foreseeable future? Lets say every week for a year. 90/52= $1.73 a week for your jollies. Oh man what a rip off. :music_whistling:

 

Besides, I want them to charge me $90 for it. That means it'll be special, they'll be saying "This one is different, its the best anyone has ever seen in DCS" and they'll have to make sure its true. If its just another $50 module why should I expect something epic? All the other stuff coming out at that price has basically no avionics in it.

Edited March 14, 2015 by P*Funk

[Slipp]

I'm pretty confident that LNS won't go full retard and price it above $50.

So far they've conducted their business in a smart way. :)

Edited March 14, 2015 by Slipp

[Flagrum]

Besides, I want them to charge me $90 for it. That means it'll be special, they'll be saying "This one is different, its the best anyone has ever seen in DCS" and they'll have to make sure its true. If its just another $50 module why should I expect something epic? All the other stuff coming out at that price has basically no avionics in it.

This! ... i think ...

 

Well, ED loves their regular sales, but back then, when the Mi-8 was on sale right 1-2 weeks after release many, me included, were quite unhappy. Why? Not because we had too much money or because we did not want others to save some money. It was more because it felt like they did not value their own product, as if they would not care, as if they considered themselfs the product was not worth the initial price. That was what I found a bit disturbing.

 

And if LNS would sell their F-14 for, lets say 39.90 I would probably feel the same. Psychology ... what a bitch. ;o)

[VincentLaw]

Besides, I want them to charge me $90 for it.

If you want to give extra money to LNS, nothing is stopping you from buying extra copies. You could even buy an extra MiG-21 right now. You should not judge the quality of an item by its price. I got into DCS when I found Black Shark in a bargain bin for $20 at Best Buy, but that $20 didn't stop me from thinking it was the best helicopter simulator I had ever played. If it had been $30 I might have passed it up at the time, and then I might not be into DCS at all.

 

I think an accessible price for the F-14 will make it more successful than a high price.

[shagrat]

...I should maybe clarify, that I was ironic.

Let's be realistic, DCS is a niche and the current price politics are veeeery reasonable.

I wanted to point out Leatherneck could easily opt to sell stuff like Electronic A...holes or Übelsoft. Even if they would orient their pricing strategy along typical FSX add-ons it would be far worse than $60 and remember: we get far better products than most FSX stuff.

So I don't understand people ranting about a $50 plus price tag.

 

P.S. If they had put the F-14A first, not mentioned the F-14B or a dual seat MP cockpit, they could have sold the Cockpit add-on and the F-14B later and most would have bought both... Not that I recommend them to do such thing, but it says a lot about 3rd party devs and ED that they don't try these tricks with DCS?

These guys are also passionate Flight Sim addicts...

Edited March 14, 2015 by shagrat

[Roadrunner]

we will know what it costs when the pre-sell announcement comes out.

 

but for numbers, how many people would buy a module only for the map included if it is not to expensive?

 

anyway, looking forward to it, whatever pricing it will get ;)

 

RR

[Dudikoff]

I'm pretty confident that LNS won't go full retard and price it above $50.

So far they've conducted their business in a smart way. :)

 

But they charged about the same for the MiG-21 on which they probably lost money since they went out of their way to provide free copies to the original IndieGoGo backers (me included), but at least it was useful experience for them for future modules. Now, you honestly feel the announced F-14A/B package to be worth the same as the MiG-21?

 

We are getting really spoiled by these Steam sales and alike, IMHO. Personally, I will pay whatever they deem it's worth because they are bringing a module I've been waiting for ever since Fleet Defender (same goes if they make any Soviet plane more modern than a MiG-21, but that's OT).

Edited March 14, 2015 by Dudikoff

[King_Hrothgar]

They didn't lose money on the MiG-21. If they had, they wouldn't double their team, get an actual office and start working on three new projects, all of them more ambitious than their first. $50-60 is a fair initial price. If you want to spend more, buy a second copy and give it to someone who can't afford to pay that price.

[Bob-68]

I hope pricing won't get out of hand with DCS modules because the majority of people will just hang on until the sales anyway.

 

Just out of common sense there is a limit to what some will pay.

 

I would not pay $70 or even $60 for any module no matter how much I wanted it.

[Dudikoff]

They didn't lose money on the MiG-21. If they had, they wouldn't double their team, get an actual office and start working on three new projects, all of them more ambitious than their first. $50-60 is a fair initial price. If you want to spend more, buy a second copy and give it to someone who can't afford to pay that price.

 

You can't know that (unless they've posted it somewhere themselves). The way I see it, by finishing the MiG-21 (more or less) over the course of two years, they've built their know-how and invested a lot of money and time into it. They could have decided to stop and accept their losses or to try to cash in on that investment by developing new modules. And the latter is obviously the more logical choice. Of course, I could be wrong.

Edited March 14, 2015 by Dudikoff