Reply #126 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bignick217, reply 125
Quoting Rebell44, reply 124
Prices are set by publishers, not by Valve (except of Valve games).

My solution is to wait for such game to drop to price I consider reasonable...

Wrong... Publishers set the MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price).  Retailers buy the products (or in Steam's case Serial keys) at a reduced price.  Then the retailers sell them at whatever price they deem fit to not only make a profit, but to compete with their competitors.  Manufacture/Publisher -> Vendors/Distributors -> Retailers -> Customers.  That's why you can go to one store and find a product for one price and then go to another store and find the same product for a different price.  That's also why for a new game to be released, you can find that game for 30 to 40 pounds on Steam, but find the same game on game.co.uk for 15 to 25.  Although the price difference does vary from game to game.  But game.co.uk is most often cheaper than Steam in regards to new releases and you get the disk with it.  Steam is no different than any other retailer in regards to buying and selling.  Except steam is probably closer to a vendor/distributor rather than a retailer.  And ne_zavarj is absolutely right when he points to steam's incorrect pricing in some instances.  Their prices don't accurately reflect the exchange rates like they should for the same product in different regions.

Thats how it works in retail - it works totally differently in digital distribution where publisher sets final price and take fixed % of that final price - if you dont believe me, ask Brad.

Reply #127 from Sins Forums Top

Ok... Maybe your right that it works differently with digital distribution.  But I don't think it's as clear cut as Stardock setting the prices.  The reason I say this is because Steam runs sales every day.  Often multiple sales on multiple games from multiple publishers.  If what you say is true, then Steam would have to contact multiple publishers every day to get approval to run these sales.  Especially at the sales prices Steam is charging.  Such as L.A. Noir Complete Edition which I just bought after Christmas for 8 pounds, which is still selling for 35 pounds right now on Steam.   I still think Steam has headroom there to make their own sales prices.  Otherwise, I doubt the relationship between steam and it's clients would be able work together cohesively.  There still has to be an MSRP, and head room for Steam to actively compete with it's competition without too much heavy handed management between Steam and it's clients.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #128 from Sins Forums Top

Actually digital distributors (the large ones at any rate) do routinely reach out to schedule sales of products because permission is required for any kind of markdown. ;)

Reply #129 from Sins Forums Top

fair enough.  I was wrong.  Thanks for clarifying that Yarlen.

Reply #130 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting bignick217, reply 122
Definitely agree with you there.  If it's one major complaint I would have with steam, it's that they really need to learn how to "properly" account for exchange rates.  35 to 40 pounds for a PC game is way too high.  Especially when you can get the same PC games via online shops like game.co.uk for 25 pound.  Or in the case of Sins of a Solar Empire Trinity, 17.95 GBP and you got the disc with it.  So yes.  Steams sales are better than retail sales.  But they really need to get their full price game prices down to be more competitive.  If they brought down their new release software prices down at least 10 - 15 pounds in general, I would be much happier with buying new games from their storefront.  As it is, I shop around a lot for the best deals, often going retail first.  Or in this case, I got the better deal ordering directly from Stardock.

 

just out of curiosity, would it be possible to convert your pounds to dollars and then use paypal or something to buy from Steam with those dollars?  I have no idea how things work over there and I don't use Steam very much so this might sound like a silly question.

Reply #131 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting DirtySanchezz, reply 96
Some people don't like Impulse.  Some people don't like Steam.  I guess it's just impossible to please everyone all of the time.

 

It's totally possible.  And it's exactly what they did with Sins:Trinity at the end of it's life-cycle.  Made it available on all platforms and let the consumer buy from whichever he/she wants.

I don't understand why they are making steam MANDATORY.  It goes against a lot of what they tried to do when they created impulse and allowed for a viable alternative to steam that had less drm and more freedom(like playing without the client running).  First they sell Impulse to Gamestop, then they make Rebellion Steam exclusive.  Your breaking my heart Stardock :(

 

For the record Steam's Offline mode is dodgy as hell, and you can only even access it if you start steam up connected to the internet and log-in first, you can't log-in offline.  And that remains a HUGE problem for me with making any game steam exclusive(steamworks).

Reply #132 from Sins Forums Top

Too all who hate steam...... Its point less. Its a good service and I wished Sins was on steam from day one. Still if you have that much problems with service that provides games at cheap prices and good community resources please fine some other hobby. I made this thread to point out a good preview and hopefully discuss the GAME not steam. You guys are in the vocal minority nothing more. So if there is any mod or Admin out there please lock this thread.. Its purpose is over.