170°

GAME and Gamestation set to sell digital PlayStation 3 titles in stores

High street chain GAME are set to offer digital titles and content in-store starting with first party material such as God of War Collection, MAG and Killzone Steel Rain Map Pack.

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connectedconsoles.com
Tired4656d ago

I don't get it. Will the prices of these games fluctuate with demand like usual retail copies or will they remain as monsterously high as their online store counterparts?

Is this the publishers way of sneaking in digital distribution in a trojan horse like fashion before yanking the rug out from under the retailers feet.

I read the only reason digital titles are so high is because retailers would refuse to stock the physical discs. Once digital retail reaches a point whats to stop the publishers cutting their prices, still making the same amount of money and destroying retailers profits and the second hand market in one fell swoop.

extermin8or4656d ago

I think this is a good idea; they are keeping the retailers involved which should mean prices move unlike the current ones :@ and I presume if I buy one online I would get the code emailed to me to download my game= nea r instant deliveries :p I think this could be brilliant for digital distribution although if I'm wrong about the prices and the physical copies are still so much cheaper then personally I'd rather just wait the days delivery time :/

Disccordia4655d ago

The Game Group have already implemented this with Xbox Live content (add ons, points, subscriptions and arcade games) and it has done fairly well. In light of that, it was only a matter of time before PSN and I assume Steam in future was implemented in a similar matter.

tdrules4656d ago

1) Gamestation and GAME are owned by the same company
2) Create false competition
3) Price fix
4)???
5)Profit!!!

mac_sparrow4656d ago (Edited 4656d ago )

except it's not working for them. Have you seen their recent share slumps?

5 years ago they had shares at 296p, and 3 years ago around 260, now they hover around the mid 20's.

I worked there at the time of the Gamestation acquisition. Gamestation's profits were 2m a year, they paid 72m for them, it was all about stopping anyone else from getting bricks and mortar stores in the U.K.

Edit: I'm not the disagreer btw. http://www.londonstockexcha...

Ness-Psi4656d ago (Edited 4656d ago )

also the fact that Game company bullied independent game shops out of buisness, now I have to walk in there while the staff slobber over your shoulder.

mac_sparrow4656d ago (Edited 4656d ago )

You don't have to do anything, I worked there for over 6 years, have excellent personal hygiene (should I be rude about you, as 2 wrongs and all that? It's easy to stereotype after all)and even I rarely purchased from the place, even at 25% discount. I used to shop online, and still do.

The reason that the staff now approach you with an overzealous manner is that they are tracked on things called KPI's. Once these were pushed by management and to the detriment of service I decided to leave.
Edit: I was fortunate and able had finished enough study to work in education, many other existing staff don't (yet) have this benefit of being financially able to leave.

I agree that some stores have staff that are overbearing, and uncomfortable to interact with, but this is not the case for King's Lynn I can assure you.

Ness-Psi4656d ago (Edited 4656d ago )

well hurrah for kings lyn lol. just wipe your chin on the way out.:)
also its game themselves who are forcing people to buy online only, I would rather walk into a games store as its my preference but if their gonna bully other shops and then moan about lack of sales its their own fault and deserve their demise.

mac_sparrow4656d ago (Edited 4655d ago )

Oh look... bait.

It's painfully apparent that you have neither the capability or inclination of having a rational and constructive discussion. I had taken some of your points, repackaged them in a more acceptable manner, discussed them and given my opinion on them in order to further the point. You have, unfortunately, settled for a detrimental and menial rebuttal that simply highlights your inability to operate at any level higher than a bottom-feeder. (See, isn't it easy to be venomous, though you are quite inexperienced at it).

Edit: Nice stealth edit, and if you read both my posts I'm sure even one such as yourself (being rude again, such fun) would be able to comprehend that I in fact share your view that GAME are at fault. Holy reading comprehension Batman!

Anyway, this is not what my bubbles are for, and I feel you run the risk of monopolizing them in this fruitless exchange. May your (inevitable) reply be an end to it.

Ness-Psi4655d ago (Edited 4655d ago )

I couldn't hear you through the slobbering. chill out and stop trying to be superior. it doesn't suit you.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4655d ago
Alos884656d ago

At the same price as retail no doubt.

Soldierone4656d ago

Steam is the only digital store I know of that cuts prices often and on quality titles. EA does it SOMETIMES but go look at their digital store, they still have games for full price that are like ten bucks at retail. In some way I'm thinking Steam is only doing it to draw in more customers, once they get it full on they have no need to do it anymore.

This is why I hate it. We hear all the excuses in the world, but at the end of the day its all about the developers making more money. They cut the middle man out and suddenly they get ALL the profits with no fee's to sell a game. Look at Origin and EA. They already cut out Steam and are trying to drive traffic to themselves, if it was possible they'd do the same to consoles.

Go to PSN and XBL. Look at how many retail games are still listed for 40 dollars and up. MAG, Dragon Age, and so on...now go to retail and notice how many of the SAME games are under 20 bucks.

"Oh we lose money on used games" so make a deal to NOT do that. Once they get this the next excuse will be "we can't handle server space" and you will be basically buying a contract to RENT games at which will disappear or transfer to new license numbers forcing you to buy them again.

mac_sparrow4655d ago

I agree, it's simple bait and switch, we should be worried about the future of the market as genuine competition seems to be dwindling in the face of digital downloads.

If Origin takes off then EA won't use anyone else for example.

In terms of pricing, the recent red faction was in stores for £15 recently, at the same time it was (and still is) priced at £57.99 on PSN.

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150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos18d ago (Edited 18d ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers18d ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos18d ago (Edited 18d ago )

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken18d ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g18d ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing18d ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H918d ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola18d ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn66918d ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle18d ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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130°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg19d ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos19d ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion19d ago (Edited 19d ago )

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola19d ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

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280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

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techraptor.net
ChasterMies39d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken39d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga39d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken39d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6439d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long39d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197239d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic39d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 39d ago
DivineHand12539d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91339d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer39d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit39d ago (Edited 39d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91338d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit38d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 38d ago
Christopher39d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6938d ago (Edited 38d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit38d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal39d ago (Edited 39d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher39d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken39d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197239d ago (Edited 39d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic39d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2339d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218339d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit38d ago (Edited 38d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder39d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts39d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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