September 1st 2009 11:46 am PT

Where, exactly, is Splinter Cell D.A. available? That might have been a shorter list…

Yeah, I fail to see what the point of posting SC at all. It seems all regions except UK are on the list.

Content: Splinter Cell D.A.
Price: Check pricing for your region
Availability: Not available in Australia, Germany, Japan, Korea, New Zealand or North America

So it’s pretty much only available in the UK? -.-

Sorry, just read my comment and it seems as though I am saying UK does not matter. No disrespect, just agreeing with Andrew’s comment on posting “Not available in…” rather than “Only available in…”

Week after week the prices are ridiculous.

To be fair, it seems like it’s available in most of Europe, as only Germany is on the list. Then again it doesn’t matter, because no-one will buy it anyway.

I want to buy it! But it’s not available in Germany. Why not???

Yay. More over priced GoD. When will Microsoft ever learn?

Hahaha… $30 for GRAW? Wasn’t this a close-to-launch title? It’s not a “platinum” game; it’s an “old-n-grey” game. It’s really a shame that GoD is being handled so poorly. It really had the potential to completely supplant all my current games. I’d gladly pay $10 for the ability to not switch out discs. Hmm, maybe that could be the next big NXE update? It worked for Rock Band tracks…

As always: I don’t like the price, so I’m not buying. Same old, same old.

Hahahahaha $39.99 for the first GRAW. You’re NUTS, Microsoft. You can buy this NEW in STORES for $19.99!!!

I’m really confused on the pricing structure of these games on demand. Why on earth would anyone pay more for a downloadable, DRM shackled piece of software than they would for simply buying the disc at the game store for less and not have those restrictions?

This Games on Demand program is horrible. Games should be LESS than you can buy a physical copy of the game for. There’s no manufacturing costs, and the limitations means it’s worth less. So a game I can get for $20 in physical form (and take to a friends house, trade in, etc…) should be half the price if I’m downloading it into a restrictive environment on my system.

Just my thoughts.

Guys, not that I’m playing devil’s advocate or anything, but from a marketing perspective this makes total sense. First of all, Microsoft has to be mindful of retailers. They can’t under price the retailers too much (not that that they have thus far). Second, this is like anything else where Microsoft is market skimming and in essence, getting top dollar from the people who don’t mind paying a premium for convenience. Yes, there are people who will buy a game for $40 even if they can go down the street and nab it for $20. Third, its easier for Microsoft to gradually drop the price than it is for them to increase the price. Eventually these games will come down in price. Microsoft is slowly learning what the market will bear and once they find that happy medium, more titles will be priced appropriately. Just think of the backlash there would be from retailers if Microsoft priced these titles at like $10-15. Imagine the backlash from the community if they raised the priced to $20-$25. It sucks for us right now, but its a smart move on Microsoft’s part.

The usual £20/2400 point price in the UK, the same price I paid for Splinter Cell new almost 3 years ago.

$30 for GRAW 1??!?!?!!? Major, please tell me, how many people are actually stupid enough to buy any of the GoD games?

This is just more overpriced crap from Microsoft.

GoD really is such a major disappointment as a service, games on offer are just not enough, some are skipped in some regions (no Bioshock where I am for example), and of course pricing is just way off…

The most annoying thing on this website is when people are crying about prices. If you don’t like it don’t buy it. But now I will shed my 2 cents. GoD prices are hilarious. You can’t resell the game once you are done with it. Should be cheaper when it’s in digital form. Oh well.

$30? Really?
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Amazon lists GRAW at under $20 with free shipping.
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In fact, Amazon lists GRAW 2 at $14.99 with free shipping.
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So – why would I pay $30 for the really old launch title when I could get the sequel for half the price?
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Will some people buy it? Sure. The question is, are you servicing your CORE customer? No. The only people that are going to buy a game this old for double the market price are people who have absurd amounts of disposable income.

Pricing FAIL

I picked up GRAW and Splinter Cell : Double Agent for £4.99 in my local GameStation, Microsoft most be hoping somewhat that people will buy these old titles at such a crazy high price tag.

It’s save to say that no a single microsoft point of mine will be spent on any of this old crap at new game prices. Like most things in the marketplace, it’s a rip-off.

Major, this would be a good topic for you to discuss on your podcast, the GoD service, how/who selects what games go on the service and at what price point. Would be a good interview if you could get someone to do it.

And I obviously agree with everyone here, why would I pay $30 for GRAW when I can buy it new on Half.com for $7.75?

lol I picked up Splinter Cell D.A. online for £3.95 the other week!

I am really in need of a bigger hard drive…. 120GB just doesn’t cut it now

And Australia gets shafted again… Also, The price of Mass Effect is still $99 (6,000 MS points) which is day-light robbery when you can buy it for under $40 brand new!

Ridiculously high GoD pricing is ridiculously high. Major, honestly how can you sit in meetings with MS officials and keep a straight face on this pricing? You have your finger on the pulse of gamers and this is still allowed to happen? I am amazed.

I agree with growndhog about discussing on the podcast. Sadly, however, it won’t happen. Major is nothing more than a talking head and the “controversial” issues never seem to get brought up on the podcast. When the dashboard adds were announced, it became the most commented post on this blog for some time. To my knowledge that was never mentioned or acknowledged or mentioned on the podcast either. Point being, if you want a weekly glorified MS press conference, with some good interviews thrown in, listen to Major’s podcast. (which I do) If you want to listen to a show that actually discusses issues, look elsewhere as there are several.

As for the pricing of games on demand? Doesn’t take much intelligence to see that it is a joke. These will either eventually be lowered in price or flop.

@The Detective: “It sucks for us right now, but its a smart move on Microsoft’s part.”
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So are you a freshman in marketing school, or just a sycophant?
Do realize you’ve just stated that GoD is a marketing exercise, rather than a way to actually *sell product* to a receptive audience, with basic supply and demand.
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It comes down to this: the current GoD prices are MORE than GameStop would sell the same game for, USED. This flies in the face of supply and demand logic, flies in the face of efforts to encourage consumers to NOT buy used games, and breaks their own established conventions of Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices for Platinum Hits being $19.99.
http://wiki.cheapassgamer.com/index.php/Platinum_Hits
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First, no I don’t think they have to be very mindful of retailers. The retailers are smart enough to realize that downloading a game in one place, downloading a manual in another, and gobbling up space on your proprietary hard drive with something you can’t resell is NOT in direct competition with the products they offer. We are talking about games that are up to three years old with almost no profit margin, and retailers know very well that this generation, the console makers also sell their own content. That didn’t stop Amazon from setting up a DLC store, and it didn’t stop Best Buy from selling points cards, which gives customers *more* choice, and lets the stores discount things independently to draw customers. There are always opportunities in retail.
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Second, you’re saying quite accurately that GoD is a premium service that commands premium prices. By the same argument, you should be applauding higher prices for XBLA titles, where we would be paying 1600 points instead of 800, just because some people will. I think you know how far that attitude will get you here on the blog.
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Third, given the history of what XBL content has received a price drop (usually underperforming titles) what leads you to believe that GoD prices will ever be permanently lowered? You’re suggesting that MS is brand new at this, where infact they have been selling full games for years. Again, and it can’t be said too often, there is ESTABLISHED MSRP pricing on what a Platinum Hit should cost. It’s not just a matter of convenience, because Amazon will ship the same title to my door for FREE, providing I can wait *3 days* for a *3 year* old game.
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Finally, the backlash from customers always outweighs the backlash from retailers. Retailers will go out of business if content providers will not ship them product. Everyone goes out of business if we stop purchasing.

And publishers wonder why people will still flock to used games…

StabaCadaver, pick a side and stay with it… otherwise you just sound like a hypocrit. I agree with you that “if you don’t like it, don’t buy it” but how are the proprietors going to know that we aren’t satisfied with the prices unless we sound off on it to? Complaining gets things changed (sometimes) so long as it’s constructive.

@ StabaCadaver

contradiction much?

i can get it for under 900 points, why should i buy it from GoD?

£20 for Graw? I’m pretty sure I could find Graw 2 for less than £7 new with no effort…

Barebones GRAW 1 for £20?! You can pick up the BAFTA edition (WITH CHAPTER 2) for a fiver!

once again £20 for a £5 game. I will NEVER buy a game from this service. Glad I’m not in Oz though!

…Really? That’s what we’re going with, Microsoft? Almost DOUBLE the cost of a retail new in box copy of GRAW1? To make this as plain as possible: I will not buy from Games on Demand until its titles cost LESS than the retail editions do. Don’t go by MSRP, go to Amazon and see what the lowest sustainable price is there. I could not care less about “undercutting the retailer”, you are offering a reduced version of the product (no physical disc, the purchase is tied to my account i.e. is DRM, etc.), I insist on a notably reduced price to make up for it. Until Microsoft gets realistic about this, I have no intention of buying Games on Demand titles. Actually, let me take that a step further: Microsoft, get your head on right or I’m liable to pick up a PS3 or PSP at this rate. I take only so much nonsense from a company before I go to their competitor out of spite.

PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL PRICING FAIL

Stop posting these games. You’ve tainted the potential Games on Demand had.

$29.99? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHALOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOAHAHhAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHALOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOOLLLLAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

$30 for GRAW??? Are you guys out of your fucking minds?

GRAW can be had from amazon uk for £5.93 + £1.94 postage
Splinter Cell DA can be had from amazon uk for £5.99 + £1.94 postage
so that’s both for a total of £15.80, and you can resell later and
get some of your money back.
…or £39.98 via GoD

I remember having very bad time to sell my used Splinter Cell for a couple of euro(s). It’s priced 19,90 Euro(s) new in stores here and almost nobody buy it. I don’t think MS is acting wisely. Digital Delivery is a powerful weapon if used wisely. Championship Manager 2010 will let you choose the price you like to pay it, including a 2.50 whatever tax. So you may buy the brand new game in DD for just 2.51 euros or pounds. And what about Steam? Every now and then you can find sales on new games and old games at very cheap prices. Good moves, smart ones.

Pretty sad to see that MS never give value to our complains.

Are you people out of your minds? I picked up graw last month for less 7 bucks SEVEN! Major i thought you were for the gamers? If you are can you please yell at the people who are pricing these? If these are the prices MS wants… I don’t see the future of digital distribution going anywhere.

This is some funny shit.

£5 games new again at £20

yawn

Overpriced Games-on-Demand in combination with way overpriced hard drives. What are you thinking MS? Who would seriously buy that?

Sometimes I have the feeling MS thinks their coustomers are plain stupid. I have no other explanation for this kind of pricing of outdated games. And I hate it when a company thinks I am that dumb to pay for this totally overpriced crap. My reaction is simple: I will be looking for another company who values their coustomers. Hello Sony, I think it time to buy a nice PS3 slim.

The prices for the games on demand are ridiculous. I won’t be picking them up. 1 star I say!

Look I can pay $30 bucks for a game I just saw in a bargain bin for $14.99. That is a steal of a Deal.

Guys… GoD pricing is based on current MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Pricing) and not current market pricing.

$40 in Canada for GRAW. Excuse me a moment.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Pay for the “convenience” of it eating my whole hard drive, or give a guy on Kijiji $5 for it. Hmm. What to do…

Why does Ubisoft not like Australia? I am happy we got BF Bad Company and NFS:MW instead because it means we are slowly getting the games the US have…….but still the prices are out of hand……99 for Mass Effect is still the same, and the US pay $20 (= about $23 AUS).

If more GoD games were priced like the Americans have i may just considering buying a game or two…STOP PUTTING RRP ON GOD GAMES DAMN IT!!!!!! lol

40$ canadian for GRAW. I LOL’d.

Games on Demand is going to be the next Xbox Originals in that its going to fail miserably because its priced ridiculously. Madness is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. I guess MS didn’t get that memo.

GRAW and Splinter Cell DA are $8 and $11 used at Gamestop.
Competitive pricing would start in the $10-$15 range.

How to gain market share of older games:
1) Look at the going price at Gamestop/eBay
2) Digital delivery costs pennies while disc manufacturing and distribution is dollars
3) Cutting out retail allows for more profit
4) The consumer loses both the physical disc and the right to resell; that needs to count for something
5) Demand for a product will exponentially go up with good price point.

Is this pricing just a setup so that some GoD “deal of the week” of 25%-50% will look like a decent price?
Even at 50% off, it really is not a good deal. On top of that, expensive 120GB drives cannot hold a comfortable amount of large download titles.

The XBOX 720 is likely to have a SKU with no drive at all and every game will be available via download. Heck, that might happen with the 360 too. However, the consumer might be smart and see how the download copies have terrible pricing. They will either 1) find out too late and barely buy any games, 2) avoid that SKU altogether.

Is anyone actually buying these games? I dont even look at GoD anymore let alone buy them.

Im looking forward to getting the video marketplace down here in Australia; can’t wait to see what funny numbers they use to charge us for renting movies. I can promise you they’re gonna try charge us $10-15 for movies.

Listen up M$, like everyone else I’m voting with my wallet. Keep over charging us and the community will backlash; you aren’t the only player on the market.

Why have we even got prices different according to region anyway? They didn’t differ for Xbox Originals, and that didn’t work either, so why try it on now?

You people are the most pathetic, complacent bunch I’ve ever (not) met in my entire life. I only say that when concerning about “Hey it’s yet ANOTHER update about games releasing with yet MORE complaining about prices from gamers! updates on Nelson’s site. Seriously guys.

I decided to put an end to some of this stupid myth about this all being overpriced so I decided to look through the GoD catelog for games that I would like and compare prices from retail pricing to GoD pricing. My thoughts can be read here: http://forums.xbox.com/28760479/ShowPost.aspx.

Otherwise if you’re that desperate for some of the games that are on the GoD catelog, just do as you say and buy the retail if it’s cheaper and quit whining: it’s only ‘unfair’ if you want it and don’t have the points for it.

1. GRAW is $40 in Canada and $30 in the US. Why the large discrepancy? Our currency is only 90 cents on the dollar.
2. GRAW was a pack-in with XBLA Unplugged on a lot of systems. You can go to any used game store and get a copy for less than $20, maybe even less than $10.
3. Rainbow Six Vegas (also from Ubisoft) is $20 and is about 6 months newer.

And to everyone complaining about the complaining, please stop.

@XxLightkunxX
I dont think you’ve quite got a grasp of the English language yet. We’re not complacent, we’re anything but complacent. We’re all pretty annoyed that M$ is ripping us off. Furthermore, depending on what locale you’re in, they rip you off even more. Go an education mate and maybe you’ll realise there is a world outside of North America.

XxLightkunxX: and you being the unabashed apologist is any better?

- I do not see Double Agent for sale anywhere
- These are very expensive for a copy I can only ever play in one place and have an infinitely non-existent resale value

Double Agent is not here I want it!

Oh my god i just picked up Splinter Cell DA for £4 from my local games shop!

PS. i love how the aussies (bless them) are COMPLAINING that they are not being given the option to be ripped off?

I can not get my head around that logic

Major the prices really do need to come down, for games on demand to be a place people will look for their games they need to know they arent being over charged. In the UK most of the 360 classics available are at least 25% cheaper (£15 or less instead of £20) in even the stores where you expect to pay more than the average. In some places i’ve even seen games at up to 75% less (£5 instead of £20)
Even if the price was to drop to £15 I would be the first place i look for games, instead of the last

The bargains just keep on coming, I hope next week we get Fifa 06: Road to World Cup, I can’t wait to lay down £20 for that…

do you guys just throw darts at prices taped to the wall to decide what to charge for the Games on Demand service? if you want this to be a success, you need to lower the prices for games that anyone can find cheaper at other outlets, otherwise there is no advantage to getting these, especially when you can’t resell it when you get bored with it & are stuck with the stupid DRM policy that MS has.

Please Major Nelson and Microsoft Xbox 360 division.

Make it clear in the product descriptions which DLC are included with the GoD games!
As I see different boxarts in different regions for certain titles thus possibly containing different DLC.

Not a rant, just a simple observation. Thank you!

Thief000: I may be wrong but I think these are all vanilla copies of the games, without any DLC attached.

@XxLightkunxX

Saying you found the games at “Store X” for sale at a price higher than Games on Demand proves nothing. Some retailers rarely mark down games or lower them below MSRP, but a vast majority do. A quick search on Gamestop/EBgames website for all Games On Demand titles turns up significantly cheaper prices, both used and new. Its not just Gamestop, either, plenty of other sites such as Newegg and other reputable online retailers have these games + shipping far cheaper than Games on Demand. The people here aren’t complaining about GOD because they can’t afford them. They’re complaining the system is essentially useless when you can get the games cheaper from brick-and-morter retailers and online stores. You are a buffoon to defend GOD with its current pricing structure.

If they put both GRAWs in OR did the GRAW legacy edition it might be worth it in the UK but as it it’s the original you can get it discounted so cheaply now

Msoft are really clueless about all this, even in the UK where we usually get shafted on game prices – i can go down to my local supermarket ( yes where you would mostly buy food! ) and pickup 4 copys of GRAW for the price of 1 from GOD, i mean like wtf?

OVERPRICED

No one will buy this shit. Be like Steam, Digital Distribution should be cheaper.

This image about sums it up.

http://helldescent.com/wp-content/uploads/crashposter-620x.jpg

I bought SCDA for the single player, and was surprised by how fun the multiplayer was.
But when it can easily be found on the UK highstreet for a fiver, the GoD prices still need a lot of work.