There has been some delicious downward pressure on LA Noire preorders, and Amazon currently has it for $59.99 + a $15 Amazon gift card, for a total cost of $44.99
I don't get that. Valve is still pricing it at 49.99 on their own download service, yet Amazon has it for $35? How does that work? I thought when a store had a sale on something, it was generally because the provider of said goods offered the store those goods at a discount.
Is Amazon losing money on every Portal 2 sale, or is Valve giving them a discount? School me!
This is especially frustrating for someone who pre-ordered from stupid Valve less than a month ago.
Essentially, the retailers are taking a loss to encourage business. There's been a price war going on between Walmart, Best Buy, Kmart, Amazon and Gamestop. Everybody who's not Gamestop is trying to fight for a bigger piece of the video game pie, while Gamestop is trying to hold onto their marketshare. Portal 2 is big and popular, so offering it for cheaper is a good way to get business in... but then everyone else did it too. We've actually been seeing a lot more discounts on brand new games the last couple of years because of this.
And there's no way Valve would somehow discount Portal 2 on retail just a week or two after release, and not discount it over Steam too.
I would imagine, like every retailer that...ever existed...Amazon.com pays a different price for each new copy of Portal 2 than you or I would, even if we bought 20 copies.
Steam is sitting very comfortably on a very high profit margin (never mind that they're owned by the actual producer of the game, which additionally is not a publicly-shared company, last I checked). Amazon.com is more into ruthless price-diving to get every possible sale they might out of something, with smaller margins per unit sold I would assume. They very consistently beat, or match, Steam's prices, including sales that last more than a day or two (and sometimes even that).
Just off my own experience. I could be way off base. I really don't think Amazon.com is losing money on each sale--I think we're just seriously overestimating the sort of profit margins involved in a retailer selling that game at the normal price.
The funny thing is most people don't care about the discounts and would rather shop at Gamestop because of familiarity. This isn't even the people who use credit to buy their stuff, which is understandable why you won't be hopping around especially if you built a nice nest egg.
I think that's the reason why Steam does not feel obligated to match Amazon.com's sale--it's not that Valve is giving Portal 2 to Amazon cheaper than they're giving it to their own distribution engine--it's just that you have to run the game through Steam, and a lot of people are going to think, "Hey, I can download it in a copy hours (or days, depending on your connection). Why bother waiting on slow shipping?"
Steam is right there. Just like Gamestop. Steam is big enough for a lot of people to be very familiar with it as well.
Synthesis on
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ShadowfireVermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered Userregular
I think that's the reason why Steam does not feel obligated to match Amazon.com's sale--it's not that Valve is giving Portal 2 to Amazon cheaper than they're giving it to their own distribution engine--it's just that you have to run the game through Steam, and a lot of people are going to think, "Hey, I can download it in a copy hours (or days, depending on your connection). Why bother waiting on slow shipping?"
Steam is right there. Just like Gamestop. Steam is big enough for a lot of people to be very familiar with it as well.
I don't think that's correct. I think it's more "hey, I got my Portal 2! Time to enter the code on steam... oh shit! Look at that game that's on sale! I'll take it! Might as well browse a bit and see if there are any other good specials, too!"
The more they get you to open that Steam browser, the more sales they'll get.
I think that's the reason why Steam does not feel obligated to match Amazon.com's sale--it's not that Valve is giving Portal 2 to Amazon cheaper than they're giving it to their own distribution engine--it's just that you have to run the game through Steam, and a lot of people are going to think, "Hey, I can download it in a copy hours (or days, depending on your connection). Why bother waiting on slow shipping?"
Steam is right there. Just like Gamestop. Steam is big enough for a lot of people to be very familiar with it as well.
I don't think that's correct. I think it's more "hey, I got my Portal 2! Time to enter the code on steam... oh shit! Look at that game that's on sale! I'll take it! Might as well browse a bit and see if there are any other good specials, too!"
The more they get you to open that Steam browser, the more sales they'll get.
Bastards.
I still think that lends to my point. While the PA forums are not representative of the populations a whole, a lot of people are very familiar with Steam anyway. Why not pay a few extra dollars to get a game through it instead of the mail? Especially if you were looking through the Steam browser anyway?
Then again, maybe practically no one is buying Portal 2 digitally.
$20 is very useful. I assure you. There is no doubt of that.
On the other hand, wanting a developer you like to get more of your money isn't unreasonable, or for that matter, bad by any means. It's a sign of gratitude.
Granted, in this specific case, no, it won't make them get either of those two out faster. No way. Not even close. :P But in normal circumstances, sure.
For those still on the fence, I just got an e-mail from GameStop about a PowerUp Members Exclusive deal, giving you $100 off the purchase of a new PS3 before the last Sunday of the month.
For those still on the fence, I just got an e-mail from GameStop about a PowerUp Members Exclusive deal, giving you $100 off the purchase of a new PS3 before the last Sunday of the month.
I'd like to know how they decided who did and did not get that coupon, I'd like to get one.
I think you have to be a premium member. If not...is there any way I can send mine to you? If it's something that's not member-specific (if anyone knows), I'll send my coupon PDF your way.
I think you have to be a premium member. If not...is there any way I can send mine to you? If it's something that's not member-specific (if anyone knows), I'll send my coupon PDF your way.
I am a Powerup Rewards member and I looked at the part of the site that should show it, and it shows a different coupon for me for the Move. I don't know how it works.
i got one of the $100 coupons and it's fucking tempting but... i feel like once i do buy it the price will drop anyways, and then i won't mind buying used if it means saving an extra $50
Apparently it was only select members. Span, call a Gamestop you're cool with and say that your friend got a coupon but doesn't want it and ask if it's kosher. If it is, the PDF is yours. Already downloaded it just in case.
Picross 3D is a steal for $10 if you liked Picross 2D or any kind logic/geometry type puzzles.
I loved Picross DS (although I never beat it...got stuck on one of the last puzzles and quit), so yeah, absolutely interested in the 3D one. Just checked online, and my nearest BB says they have it, too.
Picross 3D is a steal for $10 if you liked Picross 2D or any kind logic/geometry type puzzles.
My 3DS claims that I've spent 80 hours on Picross 3D. That sounds like too much (I heard that it counts sleep time sometimes), but there's still a shitload of puzzles on that cartridge. And that's not even counting any downloadable puzzles.
Apparently it was only select members. Span, call a Gamestop you're cool with and say that your friend got a coupon but doesn't want it and ask if it's kosher. If it is, the PDF is yours. Already downloaded it just in case.
Thanks anyway, but family decided they didn't want to get a PS3.
I used my $10 BB gift card from Portal 2 and walked out of Best Buy with Picross 3D for a whopping $0.81.
I'm loving it so far... went through the tutorial and level 1 of easy. None too challenging so far (all beat within 4 minutes), but I can see it getting complicated fast.
Picked that up as well as Enslaved for $20. I know it was on sale recently, but bah. I used gift cards and a reward zone cert, ended up paying nothing and had money left over.
Renzo on
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Custom SpecialI know I am, I'm sure I am,I'm Sounders 'til I die!Registered Userregular
Picked that up as well as Enslaved for $20. I know it was on sale recently, but bah. I used gift cards and a reward zone cert, ended up paying nothing and had money left over.
Shows unavailable online and none of my locals have it in stock...
So disappoint.
I posted this in the DNF thread, but it seemed like a good deal in general. Preordering DNF from OnLive nets you a free OnLive console in addition to an extra $5.
I almost want to try that. Does it actually work? There's plenty of PC games my computer can't handle that I'd like to play, but I'm not sure that service even has them, anyways.
The first Assassin's Creed is $5 this week at Gamestop. Used, and just the 360 version sadly, but still. According to theory its both in-store and online. I'm going to swing by tomorrow or tonight to verify/buy.
I almost want to try that. Does it actually work? There's plenty of PC games my computer can't handle that I'd like to play, but I'm not sure that service even has them, anyways.
It does. It's like controlling a 480p video on Youtube. I didn't notice any control lag. I still prefer playing an actual game on a PC or console, though.
I almost want to try that. Does it actually work? There's plenty of PC games my computer can't handle that I'd like to play, but I'm not sure that service even has them, anyways.
You can demo some games for free. I tried it, but the controls are just too sluggish for my taste.
What's the benefit of having the little system/controller they sell instead of running the program on your computer? Sorry if there's a thread for this already, I remember it being announced and everyone just laughing at it.
Reynolds on
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ShadowfireVermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered Userregular
Posts
I don't get that. Valve is still pricing it at 49.99 on their own download service, yet Amazon has it for $35? How does that work? I thought when a store had a sale on something, it was generally because the provider of said goods offered the store those goods at a discount.
Is Amazon losing money on every Portal 2 sale, or is Valve giving them a discount? School me!
This is especially frustrating for someone who pre-ordered from stupid Valve less than a month ago.
And there's no way Valve would somehow discount Portal 2 on retail just a week or two after release, and not discount it over Steam too.
Steam is sitting very comfortably on a very high profit margin (never mind that they're owned by the actual producer of the game, which additionally is not a publicly-shared company, last I checked). Amazon.com is more into ruthless price-diving to get every possible sale they might out of something, with smaller margins per unit sold I would assume. They very consistently beat, or match, Steam's prices, including sales that last more than a day or two (and sometimes even that).
Just off my own experience. I could be way off base. I really don't think Amazon.com is losing money on each sale--I think we're just seriously overestimating the sort of profit margins involved in a retailer selling that game at the normal price.
Steam is right there. Just like Gamestop. Steam is big enough for a lot of people to be very familiar with it as well.
I don't think that's correct. I think it's more "hey, I got my Portal 2! Time to enter the code on steam... oh shit! Look at that game that's on sale! I'll take it! Might as well browse a bit and see if there are any other good specials, too!"
The more they get you to open that Steam browser, the more sales they'll get.
I still think that lends to my point. While the PA forums are not representative of the populations a whole, a lot of people are very familiar with Steam anyway. Why not pay a few extra dollars to get a game through it instead of the mail? Especially if you were looking through the Steam browser anyway?
Then again, maybe practically no one is buying Portal 2 digitally.
And I'm not unhappy with the purchase either. Have yet to get through the co-op campaign.
I guess the $20 would be useful, but if it lets them get HL2 Ep3/HL3 out faster............
... I hope..... :P
On the other hand, wanting a developer you like to get more of your money isn't unreasonable, or for that matter, bad by any means. It's a sign of gratitude.
Granted, in this specific case, no, it won't make them get either of those two out faster. No way. Not even close. :P But in normal circumstances, sure.
I'd like to know how they decided who did and did not get that coupon, I'd like to get one.
XBL : lJesse Custerl | MWO: Jesse Custer | Best vid ever. | 2nd best vid ever.
I am a Powerup Rewards member and I looked at the part of the site that should show it, and it shows a different coupon for me for the Move. I don't know how it works.
EDIT: check your emails, mine was e-mailed to me
PS - Local_H_Jay
Sub me on Youtube
And Twitch
XBL : lJesse Custerl | MWO: Jesse Custer | Best vid ever. | 2nd best vid ever.
Also some other stuff from Kalypso. Partrician, Commandos, etc.
Some highlights (to me at least):
$10 Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
$10 Picross 3D
$20 Uncharted 2 GOTY
$20 Ratchet & Clank – Crack in Time
$20 Fallout: New Vegas
$40 Portal 2 ($30 for PC)
$40 Dragon Age 2
$40 Bulletstorm
$40 Shift 2
I’ll be heading there after work to try to get PoP and Picross 3D.
(sorry, no links... posting from my phone at work)
I loved Picross DS (although I never beat it...got stuck on one of the last puzzles and quit), so yeah, absolutely interested in the 3D one. Just checked online, and my nearest BB says they have it, too.
My 3DS claims that I've spent 80 hours on Picross 3D. That sounds like too much (I heard that it counts sleep time sometimes), but there's still a shitload of puzzles on that cartridge. And that's not even counting any downloadable puzzles.
Thanks anyway, but family decided they didn't want to get a PS3.
I'm loving it so far... went through the tutorial and level 1 of easy. None too challenging so far (all beat within 4 minutes), but I can see it getting complicated fast.
Everyone should go out and get this game.
Picked that up as well as Enslaved for $20. I know it was on sale recently, but bah. I used gift cards and a reward zone cert, ended up paying nothing and had money left over.
Shows unavailable online and none of my locals have it in stock...
So disappoint.
Steam - Wildschwein | The Backlog
Grappling Hook Showdown - Tumblr
It does. It's like controlling a 480p video on Youtube. I didn't notice any control lag. I still prefer playing an actual game on a PC or console, though.
You can demo some games for free. I tried it, but the controls are just too sluggish for my taste.
Any idea what other games are on this? Any links anyone's found? I'm having a hard time finding anything aside from just trolling around the BB site.