| Jan7 |
Amy’s PSN Price Hiked In All Territories, Now It’ll Be Delayed?
1/7/2012 3:42:29 AM by Robert MacNeroy |
|
One of more interesting games coming to the PSN & Xbox Live Arcade, just became a release PlayStation fans may be concerned about. After being questioned by the gaming community about the price difference on the PSN versus XBLA, the games developers responded with a detailed, although convoluted, statement explaining why the game is priced higher on PSN.
“As we have the same price in MS Points in all countries, there will be a difference of pricing whatever decision we make between countries and/or platforms. The pricing scheme we announced enables everyone to buy the game at a reasonable price with great value for the money, with an even greater deal for the XBLA gamers who indeed have it cheaper.”
The reason for the price difference is explained above as difference in the currency exchange rates across territories. But a little digging uncovers that Amy has always been two dollars more on the PS3. This would make sense, because 800 Microsoft points cost 10 dollars to purchase in the U.S, and only 8 dollars to purchase in Europe. Because of the exchange rate, or the lower value of the US dollar, the game naturally cost more in the US. Here’s an excerpt from the original European press release for Amy detailing again the higher pricing on PSN as opposed to XBLA.
Amy, Paul Cuisset's new videogame, is a survival-horror based on a rich, fascinating and disturbing story. It's available on January 11th, 2012 on PlayStation®Network for 9.99€ / £7.99 and on Xbox LIVE for 800 MS points.
Here’s a link from Amazon’s UK site that shows the price differenence for Microsoft Points in the UK , also check out this currency exchange calculator.
Here's how the money breaks down, 9.99€(Euros) = 12.99 US / £7.99(British Pounds) = 12.99 US, so Amy’s price differences looks more like it's a PSN specific thing, than a US currency exchange issue. To further the pain of Amy on the Playstation Network, the Players Choice Pricing Vector Cell is offering. has a catch. Once players go to vote on the option they want, one of the choices is to delay the game if the price is dropped, and from the looks of things, Amy on the PS3 is going to be delayed.
The current results show 203 votes for a same day, more expensive release, and 485 votes for a delayed cheaper release. I’m sure Vector Cell means well in trying to market the game effectively, but to position a price drop in the form of a delay could make their worst fears a reality; which seems to be the fear of making less on the PSN.
Vector Cell is the developer of one my favorite games, FlashBack, and Amy looks like it’s going to be their next epic release. But the way the pricing and publishing is being handled is destine to put a sour taste in mouths of PSN fans; which could have many abandon the game all together. Some developers have made similar mistakes only to have their major IP being met with rejection from gamers. Amy’s not a major IP just yet, but it could turn out to be one in the end. The real determining factor will be how well the game sells across all networks, and digtal price differences might not be the way to make that happen.
I’m personally going to be playing the game on its release date, I think it’s going to be awesome. If the votes don’t take a turn soon, it looks like most PlayStation fans won’t get a chance to enjoy the game until a week after their friends on XBLA. To cast your vote on Amy’s release date click here.
|
|