Capcom explains pricing difference for Devil May Cry 4 in PAL-areas

Some consumers in Europe and Australia might have noticed it already. The Xbox 360 version of Devil May Cry 4 is a bit cheaper than the Playstation 3 version in all of the PAL-areas. The Xbox 360 version has a suggested retail price of €59.99, compared to €69.99 on the Playstation 3. Dutch website PS3Only contacted Capcom for an explanation:

"I didn't realize we were the only publisher doing this. In actuality, it's not that the PS3 version has been made more expensive, but that our business model has allowed us to discount the Xbox 360 version."

This is especially strange, considering the price of both version in America en Japan is exactly equal.

[nn]

they should ask them when they will apply the same business model also for ps3.
for people in germany here you can get it for 57.99
http://www.spielegrotte.de/...
the xbox 360 version is also cheaper (48.99)
http://www.spielegrotte.de/...

on playasia both are 40.84Euro

why somebody would disagree?
for giving a link where you can save money when buying the game on the platform you choose?

[Ju]

Those games have "uncut" in their description. If that's what I think it is, its import, and probably they take advantage of the Eur - $ exchange ratio.

[lawman1108]

hahahahaha

[Zuhk]

Xbox will have to pay a subscription to Capcom to play the game.

[Skerj]

Still BS any way you try to spin it.

[TheHater]

Wow, capcom is really f**king the ps3 owners over.

[Mr_Kuwabara]

Tell me about it, this gen, CAPCOM has abandoned Sony. Seriously at least bring Monster Hunter 3 to the PS2 for f***s sake!

[TheHater]

I know dude. I really want a next gen Monster Hunter game. But rent the one for the Wii, and if I think it fun, then I will get it. But I want one for the ps3.

[kewlkat007]

even if they tell you the real reason, it probably does not matter. Capcom "dammed if you do and dammed if you don't."

I got a solution: Boycott and don't buy the game if you wanna make some noise.

I don't think Capcom reads these threads..

[TheHater]

lol...so true. I was going to boycott devil may cry 4, but I am unable too. it too good

[gunnerforlife]

i know how u feel even if i tried boycoting the game i still couldnt do it:(

[niall77]

the only thing I want from you is dead rising 2

[Lord Cheese]

dead rising 1 with a decent save game system would do me fine - that game is so good but with that awful save system it seems hopelessly broken!

[Lord Cheese]

i dont get that either. I'm buying the ps3 version through my preference for the controller, but i dont feel i should have to pay an extra £10 for the privilege. UK gamers get screwed more than anyone on price and quite frankly its getting silly. No wonder all these numbers regarding ps3 attach rates are lagging behind the 360 if publishers are doing this kind of crap!

[BloodySinner]

No, you guys just don't buy games. Capcom isn't the problem.

[gunnerforlife]

u wouldnt be saying that if it happened the other way around would bloodysinner, this will be the only game i buy from capcom till DMC 5 and RESI 5

[monks]

i have to agree the pricing issues are really getting to much considering most games are

£40-£50 ($80-100) which is just to expensive sometimes i missout on stuff because of funds

if they had the same cost around the world i would not care but as always its rip off UK

i know they say part of the price increase is because of translations but this is UK we speak english same as the USA remember we created english lol ( sorry small rant no offence intended to americans just companys taking the pee out of the UK market )

i cant even import for cheap because i get slapped with VAT on top of usa price so it dont really cut the cost

[Drekken]

I buy every game I think is worth buying. I dont think PS3 owners should feel obligated to buy ported garbage compared to other consoles.

If the devs would learn to make games properly for PS3, I think more games would be sold.

I have played 360 and PS3 and I can honestly say, I enjoy the PS3 games more. I think the more people that buy PS3, they will start to have the same opinion.

[BloodySinner]

The Xbox 360 version of DMC4 is the port.

[BloodySinner]

That's quite unfortunate for you. While you'll be ignoring all the great titles, I shall be enjoying them. Either way, I still buy games at a constant rate whether they might be "overpriced" or not. - http://sinn3d.deviantart.co...

See all those titles? I bought all of them at launch. Most of them were over $60+ (Canadian). The only $20 title there is Condemned.

[belal]

woth the money ! im getting this for my ps3 for 500 kr in norway ;) and everybody who likes dmc just buy the game its worth it :) the demo was just amazing finished bariel at the ten minn demo hehe :) 8th february wohoooooo here i come !!!!

[hunter21]

well i think thats why the price is difference cause they not sure if DMC4 will sell out that much on 360, they have a doubt but they definitely sure that on ps3 it will sell a lot cause thats were they started the game and most DMC fans are in PS. either way it sucks to see the price difference. im a PS3/360 owner im planing to buy DMC4 on ps3 but when i see the price comparison im having a doubt now on buying the ps3 version.

[Ju]

I am curious what business model that would be. Recently a couple of multiplatform games sold better on the PS3 then on the 360 - in Europe. So, how can they give a "discount" to the version which might sell less ? Or they live in the last year and go with the 360 sales expectations which obviously was higher. I would understand that prediction for the US, but Europe ? Except if I would guess, the PS3 version will sell anyway, and they'd try to max their profit. But that's not what they reaaaallly want, do they ?

[SSCOOLCHEA]

i never played the first one so no argument for me here , but i will wait till it hits 20 bucks .

[Brixxer600]

I don't really think it can be about maximising profit, it's only happening Europe, as a European gamer it makes you wonder if anything ever changes, we wait longer than most for games, demos, peripherals, our Playstation store is not as great as Japan or USA, obviously you can have more than 1 account but that's frowned upon, if publishers can release games worldwide at roughly the same time on 360, why do we sometimes have to wait longer and why should we pay more for a game, which traditionally belongs on a Playstation ? I've had my PS3 for about a month and it's a great console, just wish we got treated the same as the rest of the world.

[Ju]

I don't think they are doing this "European" thing intentionally. Its just more effort to release in Europe, simply because of the multi language character of the games. Now, for the UK, this might sound silly, and I don't know why they don't simply release the US version there, but for the rest of the continent that makes sense. Might have something to do with the distribution itself.

Well I am working in a gaming area, and we do all our languages at the same time, but delaying to US markets, effectively. But we sell a lot less then console games and our QA works possibly different. But we have discussed this several times to release US first, and "international" later. But we would need to change our release procedures and actually hire more people. So we release US later.

But say, you have a possible market of >100K a couple of weeks earlier, you'd simply do that. Build up an international team and do multi language releases after the English version. Its just a simple business decision. We'll heading this way, too, eventually.

[Snukadaman]

regardless of what console it effects....theres still no excuse for it...whats next..a 10$ increase in all games again?

[Premonition]

To me its just another cover up, MS had some type of deal with capcom, to make theirs sell more (which I doubt) but I believe at the end of the day PS3 version and or bundle will still outsell it.

[Freemen]

Its a total joke, £10 is quite alot considering they are essentially the same on both platforms. £5, maybe but then again, why give some crappy excuse when its all about the money.

[DJ]

But I was under the impression that new titles on both platforms are the same price; at least, that's what every other publisher on the market is doing. Capcom should make the prices equal, especially since the content and quality is identical across both platforms.

Sucks for PAL residents. =/

[Lord Anubis]

how does a business model allow for one to be discounted?

[rawg]

My first guess is that "business model" is code for payoff.

I suppose it could have something to do with discounting the 4th game in a series to a user base that might not have played the first 3. That wouldn't explain why the prices are the same in the US and JP though.

[Bubble Buddy]

Go ask Capcom since they're geniuses.

[Doppy]

The only thing I could come up with is that Capcom thinks most people will pick of the PS3 version so they want to cash in on it, while tempting 360 owners into buying it, by giving them a discount. That or development for the PS3 version cost more. Either way shame on Capcom again another way to push PS3 owners further away from your games.

[Silver360]

The different install bases and how many copies they expect to sell to each respective system. The $10 difference is probably made up in total sales for each system.

[Mercutio]

Look I'm no fanb0i, but its clear that Capcom is treating PS3 owners like crap especially PAL, we usually get this with everything so I'm not too angry.

But why?

Why would they do this to the PAL areas?

I'm import from now on.

[TheHater]

I am not from the PAL region, but I think it is mess up what Capcom is doing to you guys. There first game release on the ps3, and this is how they are give it to the ps3 owners in the PAL regions. Someone need to smack those In-Charge at Capcom.

[mralexander]

i agree with the dislike towards capcom.

capcom use to be on my list of great game developers but they're marketing scheme of attracting users is horrible. although its normal to market towards a larger return in investment, it wouldn't be wise to upset your current customers and risk large franchises.

i believe with the current marketing decisions they've been making, they will continue seeing a drop in investment as they stray further from their fan base.

the only way i see them capable of making up the mistake is to announce exclusive development for a new franchise in which they can only hope to be a hit.

[socomnick]

cmon now capcom is alright they show equal love for both systems.

[Mercutio]

sorry quadriple post

PC is OLD..

[SpenserTracy]

Since I'm getting it on Blu-Ray, I know the disk will last longer. No scratches on any of my discs. Old format DVD lots of scratches. It's worth the extra money.

[CNIVEK]

...that's easily one of the dumbest things I've ever read. o_0

[CNIVEK]

What

[CNIVEK]

is wrong with

[CNIVEK]

this site??

[Mercutio]

sorry quadriple post

PC is OLD..

[Mercutio]

sorry quadriple post

PC is OLD..

[forcefullpower]

360 games are generally the same price as PS3. Shop around. I have had no problem with buying the same game for PS3 as costs for the 360.

Your just lazy and buy games from stupid shops like GAME and GAMESTATION. Buy Online!! What century do you guys live in.

[Rusted]

€69.99?! damn...

[gnothe1]

its the added cost of developing for the PS3, capcom just decided that their not going to be the ones EATING that extra cost. their gonna pass that cost off on you guys!! you guys know its been stated that it takes MORE TIME an MORE MONEY to get the same results out of the PS3 that they get out of the 360 for less money!! some somebody had to pay that extra cost an its a shame that it had to be the UK!!

[light]

it's not about $10 more, its about principal. No money for capcom. They can have their game.

[Jikla]

this was kinda stupid. I hope they don't do the same with future games from capcom. Then I'll stopp buying their games.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

Wait there, the usual price is €59.99 or €69.99? Because IF it's 59, like in US, there isn't any discount on 360 from some "business model", what exist is an overcharging on PS3 version.

Anyway, I would love to know what the hell is this business model that need to differ from every other publisher business model and, worse than just that, make Capcom sell their game cheaper where it should sell less (remember: EUROPE), meaning less money (need I to say that business models chases profits?).

It would be better if they put a fair answer, the PS3 owner is paying more, so why? We know it's a business model, business model includes pricing strategy, it's like saying that you get fat because there is adipose tissue under your skin, instead of saying that's because you eat too much/too bad and make energy reserves.

Capcom better say that it's PS3 userbase not buying too much, or PS3 dev costs, or whatever that actually explain why PS3 version can't have that disccount/need to be overcharged. Or if this is 360 also talk, maybe they have a MS partenership to this, or they expect 360 version to sell less (again: EUROPE) then have gone in a more agressive strategy... They just better say something, not only to us, but some good reason on retailers too, because most people out there don't read gaming news sites, many will just see 360 version as cheaper, and will buy it if they have a 360, or skipp it if they don't (which is a major problem in Europe).