DCS World Price reset Discussion

[33-DFTC]

Hi guys,

 

Is there any reason behind the prices being raised in the near future ? I don't have a Facebook account so I could have missed some information.

 

Thanks

[MegOhm_SD]

Hi guys,

 

Is there any reason behind the prices being raised in the near future ? I don't have a Facebook account so I could have missed some information.

 

Thanks

 

Fake News

[bolek]

Fake News

 

What do you mean? It was officially announced:

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3368158&postcount=128

[Esac_mirmidon]

Its the same price as the original release without discounts or bonusses for those modules. Check your personal profile.

 

For example i had bought on 2011 the A-10C at 59.99, same price as last newsletter. Also on the same 2011 i had bought the Ka-50 at 49.99, again the same price as today newsletter

 

So its the original former price without discounts. Not a raise.

 

But there are plenty of discounts through the year to choose anyway.

[33-DFTC]

I'm not sure to follow your reasoning.

 

The actual prices are in place for some years now if I remember it correctly and did not mention any price cut like it does when on sale (you know, the usual price being striked and replaced by the sale price). I thought it was a permanent price cut like we see everywhere after a product had been sold for several years.

 

Anyway, it seems that there was no official annoucement on the Facebook page, I'll deal with it. Hope the new players coming after the 2.5 release will not discover the sudden rise.

 

Have a nice weekend everyone))

[Esac_mirmidon]

The prices of the newsletter were the original ones without discounts when that modules were released. The same price i have paid on 2011.

 

The "problem" is that for a long time the price of those modules out of sale were 10$ less. I mean, after some years, ED decided that even out of sale that former modules will cost 49.99 for the A-10 and 39.99 for the Ka-50 for example, 10$ less than the full price.

 

Now they announced that prices are returning to the full original price at no sale periods. So its not a raise, is a come back to the original price.

 

A raise should be if ED decide to sell the A-10 at 69.99 instead the former 59.99, or the Ka-50 at 59.99 instead of the original 49.99.

 

Resuming those prices are the same as 2011.

[Raven68]

The prices of the newsletter were the original ones without discounts when that modules were released. The same price i have paid on 2011.

 

The "problem" is that for a long time the price of those modules out of sale were 10$ less. I mean, after some years, ED decided that even out of sale that former modules will cost 49.99 for the A-10 and 39.99 for the Ka-50 for example, 10$ less than the full price.

 

Now they announced that prices are returning to the full original price at no sale periods. So its not a raise, is a come back to the original price.

 

A raise should be if ED decide to sell the A-10 at 69.99 instead the former 59.99, or the Ka-50 at 59.99 instead of the original 49.99.

 

Resuming those prices are the same as 2011.

 

AGREED!

[33-DFTC]

I do understand what you're saying.

 

What I'm trying to say is that it's confusing for new customers and moreover for old ones. Let's say a popular gaming marketplace had sold for several years an old game $20 and suddenly, right after a patch the prices went back to the seven years old price tag ? How do you think people would react ?

 

I would have thought that the investment cost of these modules were absorbed since long ago and that the actual prices were a nice way to introduce new players to DCS - especially FC3. I'm concerned that this move is a way to capitalize on the wave of new players who will discover DCS after 2.5 articles being published.

 

We'll see then, we can't do much about it I guess. (By the way, is CA future price tag the original one ? I thought it was $30 when it was released).

[grunf]

I do understand what you're saying.

 

What I'm trying to say is that it's confusing for new customers and moreover for old ones. Let's say a popular gaming marketplace had sold for several years an old game $20 and suddenly, right after a patch the prices went back to the seven years old price tag ? How do you think people would react ?

 

I would have thought that the investment cost of these modules were absorbed since long ago and that the actual prices were a nice way to introduce new players to DCS - especially FC3. I'm concerned that this move is a way to capitalize on the wave of new players who will discover DCS after 2.5 articles being published.

 

We'll see then, we can't do much about it I guess. (By the way, is CA future price tag the original one ? I thought it was $30 when it was released).

Most games are not supported 7 years after release. Those that are, usualy keep their original price tag.

[Ocelotunit]

Also if you've seen a product at a low price and still haven't purchased it, chances are that you were never going to purchase it at any price.

 

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[33-DFTC]

Most games are not supported 7 years after release. Those that are, usualy keep their original price tag.

 

Really ? I could name a few if you want but it would be off forum chart. I'm sure you can easily find some, even in the MMO category. In the end, that's not the question here, I was looking for an official statement to understand this change.

 

Also if you've seen a product at a low price and still haven't purchased it, chances are that you were never going to purchase it at any price.

 

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

Or I'm the kind of player who likes to master a plane before purchasing another one. It can be a pretty slow process to really master a plane, at least in my case. Or I could have wait for a module to be more feature complete before stepping into it (yes I'm looking at you Combined Arms). I'm not really the kind of guy who go frenzy during sales.

[Art-J]

I'm concerned that this move is a way to capitalize on the wave of new players who will discover DCS after 2.5 articles being published.

 

I'm sure that's exactly what's happening. F-18, a new flagship of the franchise, being even bigger "bait", and rightfully so, I guess.

 

I've never seen a supported game getting back to its few years old prices, even subscription-based ones don't do that, so I call BS on Grunf's comment. I don't think it will work for DCS in the long run, but oh well, if ED wants to invent their own version of capitalism, go ahead, it's their business. We'll find out what the market reaction after initial F-18 frenzy will be.

[Esac_mirmidon]

I understand your point, and i can agree with you at some degree.

 

Former old modules, from a market point of view could be offered at reduced prices, because, you know, they are old. But also take in count that from ED point of view, this former modules are supported all this time and eventually beeing updated when new technologies are available.

 

For example, when the FLIR technology developed for the Hornet is ready i assume it will be also on the A-10C Litening, so is not a module not improved, supported since the release. And also this could be one reason for returning to the original prices.

 

And also there are plenty of opportunities to buy modules on the continuous sales all over the year. Plus the bonus system.

 

So plenty of chances for reduced prices.

[QuiGon]

Well, ED was so nice to warn us old players that this will happen, so we can prepare and buy some modules before this takes effect. As the price increase will only last to the end of february, so I have no problem with it. Sure, new players who discover DCS through 2.5 and the Hornet will fall for it.

[grunf]

I've never seen a supported game getting back to its few years old prices, even subscription-based ones don't do that, so I call BS on Grunf's comment.

Neither have I, and I never said that I have. But I have seen old games, still supported and still selling at original price. No BS here. :)

 

A-10C may be old, but is by no means subpar nor unsupported. I submitted an A-10C bug report yesterday and expect it to be resolved at some point. I wouldn't bother doing so with other games of same age.

 

Considering relatively frequent sales, bundles and bonus system, there's no reason to complain about the prices.

[NineLine]

I'm sure that's exactly what's happening. F-18, a new flagship of the franchise, being even bigger "bait", and rightfully so, I guess.

 

I've never seen a supported game getting back to its few years old prices, even subscription-based ones don't do that, so I call BS on Grunf's comment. I don't think it will work for DCS in the long run, but oh well, if ED wants to invent their own version of capitalism, go ahead, it's their business. We'll find out what the market reaction after initial F-18 frenzy will be.

 

Not many games can hold their value like a flight sim can, as well, not many games improve on the quality of the product to keep it to modern standards. I can look at what I got for the A-10C back when I bought it on initial release and say I got my monies worth. If someone has to pay the same price I did back then, I say they are getting exactly what I got AND more.

 

The other option is that ED repackage every year with new patches and some missions and sell A-10C 2019, and do that on a yearly basis. Say what you will, but you cant say if it was worth 60 in 2010, that it doesnt carry the same, and more value now.

 

I also note that many people complaining about the prices being reset are the ones that already own most of these, and I ask, why? That is a rhetorical question by the way...

[33-DFTC]

For example, when the FLIR technology developed for the Hornet is ready i assume it will be also on the A-10C Litening, so is not a module not improved, supported since the release.

 

That's actually a good point that I didn't take into account.

[SkateZilla]

I think you guys are overlooking the work on these modules that need/needed to be done to convert models/textures internal and external to PBR, not to mention upgrading/re-compiling the DLLs to work with the new underlying systems etc etc.

[Flying Penguin]

I also note that many people complaining about the prices being reset are the ones that already own most of these, and I ask, why? That is a rhetorical question by the way...

 

I own all of them already, but I do so enjoy answering rhetorical questions :music_whistling:

 

Because the amount of mental gymnastics being performed to avoid calling a spade a spade and using the word "rise" is worthy of a civil service authored briefing paper.

 

ED lowered the price of the modules in question years ago, they are sitting in the shop right now at the lower price. Not as part of a sale, not as a stated discount, the (until recently) going rate. Any previous price it may have been sold at is merely of historical interest. If ED want to raise the price, for whatever reason, to the original release price (as is there prerogative) then that's fine. I'm an avowed free-marketeer, there is no criticism there, they make the pricing decisions, we each make our own value and purchase/skip decisions.

 

Just call a spade a spade... "Prices are rising because this stuff is expensive to maintain and is significantly better now than when the prices were cut. But on the bright side, you are paying what those that bought it new paid, which when you account for inflation...."

[NineLine]

Just call a spade a spade... "Prices are rising because this stuff is expensive to maintain and is significantly better now than when the prices were cut. But on the bright side, you are paying what those that bought it new paid, which when you account for inflation...."

 

I think that is pretty much what I said though, if they want to continue the model they have right now, they need to make money from somewhere, and with the complexity and time that it takes to build something like the Hornet, and the fact that generally the quality and play-ability of old modules improves with time, prices should stay closer to release levels than what we would expect with other game types.

 

I dont think the "call a spade a spade" works here, I wasnt beating around the bush...

 

Lets also remember that ED loves sales, and ED loves bundles, those are not going away.

[MikeMikeJuliet]

I'm happy to find that this thread has not turned into a fight over player entitlement or any somesuch.

 

What has already been mentioned, and on which I would like to elaborate, is that DCS modules are developed constantly. All of you have seen ED develop their platform and in the process modules break. ED and 3rd parties need to maintain said modules. Prime example are the new textures. All modules need to account for the change in the core game to stay functional.

 

Consider the massive undertaking that has been the path from DCS World 1.2 to DCS World 2.5. It has taken years to complete, much like actually making a new game! I highly doubt ED has rested all this time not letting us have the newest version. There is a reason 2.5 has taken so long. One telling tidbit of info is, that we were initially not even supposed to have it. It was supposed to be 2.0 that was "the merge". And all that we gain for free. Given how DCS modules work (i.e. you need to buy only those that you use, apart from assetpacks and maps of course) I would call this a working implementation of "games as service"-model. Not one of those EA's cashgrabs.

 

Now. 3 years of "unpaid work". I am aware that the Harrier and the Hornet are more expensive, and that the Hornet is a guaranteed seller for ED, but those modules took a lot of money to make and the consumerbase is not on the level of large AAA studios... I doubt the high pricing of newer modules pays so much extra back that all of the engine developement is accounted for.

 

Now contrast these expenses - the most complicated module of all time, and a grand free update - to the fact that inflation happens. A game worth 60 bucks in 2011 should - if value is kept the same - be in fact rising in price. Considering this insight as a reference:

(sorry about the mobile link), and looking inflation numbers in Google the A-10C should cost a bit over 65 dollars given the original price.

 

 

And in the end, considering dollars spent per hour on ED products... it doesn't really cost anything. Someone had a fit on the Hornet pricing on the forums... if you count with the full price, an estimated wait time of around 12 weeks for release (roughly three months), that makes 6,66 bucks per week of savings.

 

As said, ED can change pricing however they wish. All we are entitled to is a choice to puchase or not to. They offered explanation officially and even put in a grace period. There was also some talk on pricing and developement costs on Matt's interview on RockPaperShotgun. I doubt we will get any more insight into this than those two sources.

 

 

Just my 2 cents on the analysis.

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet