Why Gears Of War Costs $60

Vikingod

Source: Forbes
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The next generation of videogames features eye-popping graphics, piercingly loud sound effects and inventive game play. Another feature: They're wallet-thinning. Once you've plunked down as much as $600 for Sony's new PlayStation 3 console, you've only just begun. Each new game will set you back $60.

That beefed-up price tag--which also applies to games for Microsoft's (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) Xbox 360--is a 20% increase over games for earlier consoles. That's because the game business increasingly parallels Hollywood: Each new game is a costly bet--many now cost north of $20 million to produce--that can pay off big or cost a company its quarterly earnings goal.

BlueMak

Consider your self lucky you are not in Europe and paying anything from 50-100% more per new consoles' game.
Case in point Test Drive Unlimited, US price on release day about $29, equivelant in Europe, 60-80.

My guess is that the price is higher than PC games because people still buy them. Try to release a PC game (europe) for 60-70 euros too and see how many you will sell. Apparently, other than me and few others, most people who own a 360/PS3/Wii have no problem paying more per game.

Erroneus

Game console prises are fucking off the chart, Zelda for Wii costs almost 95$ in a normal EB store here in Denmark and around 93$ if bought through the only webshop who has it :X

Hoping prices and availability are better in feb. when I'm gonna buy one

Witchhunter

Console games have always been extortionately priced, I never pay more than £25 ($48) for PC games. If they tried to push it up further, well, you know what most people would do

Console gamers always brag about how much cheaper consoles are than PC's but in reality you're probably spending just as much in the long run due to the insanely priced games.