Ben-DutkaSo very cool .
Yesterday, the release dates and prices were revealed for VectorCell's ambitious new downloadable title, AMY .
But it didn't take long for gamers to notice that something seemed amiss with the pricing: while the Xbox Live Arcade version was going to cost 800 Microsoft Points (the equivalent of $10), the same title will cost $12.99 on the PlayStation Network. Granted, the latter version releases a day early but that's only due to common update schedules for each service, and doesn't exactly justify the price difference.
In response, VectorCell and Lexis Numerique have decided to give the community a say in the game's pricing. Lexis Numerique CEO Jose Sanchis sent over a letter explaining the reasoning behind the current pricing, and a way gamers can change it if they so choose. Essentially, they're giving us the chance to dictate the price of AMY in the US. After explaining that they believe the title to be very innovative and well worth the cost of admission (it boasts 8-10 hours of gameplay, after all), Sanchis went on to explain.
Check it out:
"We decided to have a new approach to digital distribution by proposing heavy content at a very reasonable price because we believe price is a key issue, especially during hard economic times. Indeed, we believe AMY could have been sold a little bit higher. However, the issue we have to deal with is that a price in MS points doesn't have the same value in all countries. Indeed, because of fluctuations between the dollar and the euro, 800 MS points are currently worth $10 in the US but €10 in Europe, which is about $12.8.
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.
This level of price is a tremendous effort and risk for independent teams like VectorCell and Lexis Numérique, all the more as we invested probably much more money in AMY than many console games available in digital distribution. But because we didn't explain the situation, we understand the reaction of certain US PSN gamers who don't understand why they should pay a little bit more than their friends who play on XBLA.
We even decided to go further. Now that the community has the elements to understand why we proposed this price scheme, we want to involve as many players as possible to tell us what to do with the price in the US: do we keep the current situation (800 MS Points for the XBLA version and $12.99 for the PSN version) or do we cut the price and margin for the PSN version (800 MS Points for the XBLA version and $9.99 for the PSN version)."
We thought gamers should see most of the letter, because it really is a great gesture. And to vote on the subject at hand, visit the Facebook poll and let your voice be heard. I hate to ask, but do you really see companies like Activision doing this…?
VectorCell and Lexis Numerique will do whatever the majority of the community says; voting ends on Monday, January 9 at 12:00 PST so get your vote in there. There's only one downside: if the majority does ask them to drop the PSN price, we may be facing a delay of at least one week "because of logistic constraints with the PlayStation Store."
Related Game(s): AMY
That's very cool that a developer would do this, but I think it's the wrong idea to only use Facebook as our only source in which to vote.
I for one don't use facebook & because of that, I can't vote unless I sign up first, which I refuse to do.
Why?
Killa,
Well, it could be because I like my privacy, or maybe I'm anti-social.
Nahhh…..I resemble both of those, LOL
It's true. Facebook blows.
I think Facebook is a great way of communication, especially for developers to give out information to the people. Just like Twitter. I use it a lot to get information from companies and developers all the time.
Facebook gets you blowed, Haters gonna hate
@Killa: It's what the cool guys are supposed to do these days. Seems to be some sort of a trend to "hate facebook".
There was a time when email blew too, or sms messages. I'm pretty sure the fax machine were frowned upon by the cool guys too. 😉
Last edited by Beamboom on 1/7/2012 2:55:13 AM
Damn Hipsters.
No. I loved email and fax. Those were actually useful.
Sounds like VectorCell got caught with their hand in the cookie jar!I'm sorry, but this shouldn't even need to be voted on. Just adjust costs to each countries currency and this wouldn't have even been an issue. What a stupid excuse! Well, I'll be passing on this game even if it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I love survival horror games but as PlayStation gamer, I just can't stand for this crap.
Last edited by Evil Incarnate on 1/6/2012 10:26:20 PM
Why can't MS just get rid of MS points altogether? Such a silly system, something reminiscent of late 90's / early 2000's online services.
How is it that 360 has sold so well when PS3 (after it's first 2 years) has been getting everything so right?!?!
Interesting, I didn't know that about MS points. Seems silly, especially with the fluctuations in FX rates. But, back to the subject at hand, I like the explanation, but they should keep parity with Xbox prices. If they knew that this would make the US version cheaper, so be it. When Europe complained about the 360 price, then they could easily blame Microsoft. Plus, Europeans tend to prefer the PS3 anyways.
I'd buy that for a dollar
We need more humble bundles. haha
I use that phrase all the time. I'm not even a huge fan of Robocop.
Nice to see producers go out of their way to make things right for the consumer. Kudos VectorCell and Lexis Numerique.
Last edited by JLB1 on 1/7/2012 2:26:17 AM
which is exactly why points is a really good way of going with it, everyone pays the same price.
almost all of my PSN games are off the US store simply because there normally half the price!
infamous festival of blood for instance i got for 10 bucks, AU store wanted 20!
I normally just read right past your comments and just shake me head in disbelief, but this for some reason, I thought warranted a response. Maybe it's the cumulative stupidity in your posts that did it.
Do you take the time to think about what you have typed before you hit send? Points are good because everyone pays the same?!? You have to buy those points with REAL CURRENCY you nameless moron! Currency that is not equal in value to currency in another country or region. If you took the time to actually read the article you would have seen that the devs even cover this point in detail.
Please do it's a favor and troll elsewhere.
this is a nice approach but big developers like activision, ea ect would never do this they like to screw gamers over (im looking at u EA)
I'm a little surprised they let that kind of a mistake slip by, but hey, at least they're giving us gamers the chance to correct it. As long as it doesn't suck, then I'm glad they did this.