1. 19:44 26th Oct 2012

    Tags: mediaps3psnfifaneed for speedamazonplay.comhmvretailitunesdigital mediadownloadgamesmusicvideofilmplaystation

    I don’t understand why games are dearer on the Playstation Network, the official store the PS3 than the hard-copy version that you can buy from Amazon/Game/HMV etc.

    The PSN has exclusivity on selling virtual copies of games on the PS3, there isn’t an Amazon etc. inequivalent. You’d think that the games on PSN would be cheaper, if not at least equal to high-street prices. But no, they are a lot more expensive.

    Take for example the new Need for Speed and FIFA games, both £50 on PSN. On Play.com, NFS is £38 and FIFA is £42. This is for physical copies of the game.

    Surely the PSN, downloadable content would be cheaper as:

    • You’re buying directly from Playstation/Sony, meaning there isn’t any competition as such, and you won’t see the bright green box of the Xbox version from the corner of your eye and decide to buy that instead.
    • Surely this would mean Sony/Playstation get a higher rate of profit per sale since Amazon/HMV etc. or any other third-party retailer aren’t taking their cut - the profit stays within Sony.
    • You cut out on manufacturing costs…
    • Storage costs…
    • And transportation costs because there is no physical entity to deal with.

    Actually, come to think of it, this is the issue with other forms of electronic media such as iTunes. Why is the physical copy of a new album cheaper than digital one? It makes no sense. Sure if I am going to buy something, I’d much sooner exchange my money for something I can hold or see, but I’d at least consider buying the digital version were it priced accordingly.