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A Big Problem with the ‘Inflation’ Argument for Game Console Prices

GenGAME writes: "Ars Technica recently ran a feature suggesting that PlayStation 4 and Xbox One really aren’t all that expensive when you take inflation into account. They used inflation rates to calculate how much the consoles of yesteryears would cost in today’s dollars, then compared them all in a series of nice, fancy charts.

"There’s a pretty big problem with using inflation rates to make statements about average consumer costs, however: even if real-world dollars 20 years ago were worth more than real-world dollars today, that doesn’t mean real-world income has grown at the same rate."

NYC_Gamer4726d ago (Edited 4726d ago )

The dollar has lost value so it takes more of them to buy products...and guess what?its only going to get worse because the dollar continues to dip everyday on the market...That means people have to break their necks every single day just to earn less in value compared to before...

legendoflex4726d ago (Edited 4726d ago )

What about between 1977 (Atari) and 2000 (GameCube)? The real dollar costs were exactly the same: $200.

Some games in the 80s were already $60. Yet they actually managed to stay constant at about $50 until last gen.

"Taking more dollars to buy products" is a new phenomenon for the games industry that comes with a difference in design philosophy.

TruthbeTold4726d ago (Edited 4726d ago )

The other part of the article speaks about the fact, that even though inflation at times is somewhat comparable to before, the rise of wages has not kept pace.

The truth is that while it costs $5 for a loaf of bread and some butter, and $4 for a gallon of gas, Minimum wage is less than that (combined) per hour, unless you live somewhere like San Francisco. While wages overall, unless you are a CEO or executive level employee have stagnated for some time now.

So people have the same amount of money to work with, even as prices rise, when in the past, wages much more accurately rose to match inflation.

jamz44726d ago

Man, Gamecube the same price as a master system, that really was a brilliant console

Andersonscooper4726d ago

This is a baseless counter argument, inflation and median income have almost nothing to do with one another. This is what most basic raises are which are really just cost of living increases (ie inflation offset). Inflation continues regardless of what the median household income is. Growth in inflation is caused by so many other factors and cares not about how much money you made last year.

Frankly this is rudimentary knowledge and really bad back filling in order to complain about cost seemingly going up.

Hicken4725d ago

I think the argument, though, is that the cost of living increase- which really ONLY applies to minimum wage, as anyone above doesn't see a similar raise- hasn't kept up with inflation.

legendoflex4725d ago

The fact that inflation and income have nothing to do with each other is EXACTLY why using inflation as a justification for higher prices is nonsense. It's your job to serve your customers by offering the right product at the right price, not by cramming in features to justify a higher price point.

Andersonscooper4723d ago (Edited 4723d ago )

Inflation does not dictate what job you have, skill or education level... It doesn't not care if you can or cannot afford something, You are not guaranteed nor owed a gaming console. If it is beyond you means to afford one, then I suggest taking that up with you employer or getting a better job... complaining about the price when it is a fact that adjusted for inflation (if you don't understand what that is and how it works thats on you) console and the gaming industry in general is and has largely been in a bubble. A higher price point mean nothing if the value and buying power is lower then then what it is being compared to.

Supermax4726d ago

I paid 499 for my xbox360 when it first came out 8 years ago.

80°

Playstation Plus Monthly Games for May: EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Nine Sols

All available May 5.

Read Full Story >>
blog.playstation.com
FPSRUSSIA38d ago

What's Point in commenting your basicly closing down the site.

LiViNgLeGaCY38d ago

I'm surprised it's still the old site. I thought he said starting today?

Eonjay37d ago

Its like the final episode of the Sapranos. You gonna go to make a comment and when you click add th-

Profchaos37d ago

Timezone thing maybe.... RIP

darthv7238d ago

Insert the Ferris Bueller end scene... "You're still here? It's over.."

LiViNgLeGaCY38d ago

I think the only game here for me is Nine Sols. Was always interested in that game.

TheColbertinator37d ago

Glad I don't buy FIFA games anymore

Rebel_Scum37d ago

Hey now! Thats a great month.

Nacho_Z37d ago

Good month for me, I wanted that particular footy game and thought it might be due. Anyway who cares, shame about the site I'll miss the comment sections. All the best everyone.

Show all comments (16)
70°

Naughty Dog Was Reportedly Divided On Joel's Controversial Fate During Development Of TLOU Part 2

Naughty Dog was reportedly divided on the controversial fate of Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 during the game's development.

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twistedvoxel.com
SimpleDad38d ago

NO, that can't be... No! I can't... Really?/s

Cacabunga38d ago

They for sure chose the worst way to deal with it

-Foxtrot37d ago

Funny considering Bruce left half way through development and now we get told there was an internal conflict with the story direction.

Makes you think…

HectixRose38d ago

I think it was good decision, if he was still alive, he would have been a mascot just like Kratos, drake and many others. These old dudes gotta die for new characters to take center stage with their own storyline. They keep dragging the emotional baggage into many sequels and eventually the story just turns into absolute shit show.

JEECE38d ago

It was ironic because people complained heavily about the story in the Uncharted games not having sufficient stakes because all the key characters always survived, despite the dangerous situations they were always in. Then ND killed a character in a more serious series and everyone lost their minds. Just shows that people don't always really want the thing they say they want.

CantThinkOfAUsername37d ago

I thought the more common complaint about Uncharted franchise was how the main cast are the good guys acting so nonchalantly while killing hundreds in cold blood (aka the dissonance between gameplay and story cutscenes). They just did it again in Part II.

Soy38d ago

Didn't have to kill him. Just have them part ways or Joel can "retire," whatever.

DarXyde38d ago

I don't think he would necessarily need to become a mascot (and besides, technically, I'd say Ellie is... So regardless, someone was going to be).

From a narrative perspective, I do think it has a similar effect to Ricky dying in Boyz N Da Hood: very likeable character, and you're really motivated to see the get back—in this case, it's more intense because it's an interactive experience. Most people hated Abby, but I get what they were after with portraying the cycle of violence and revenge—unfortunately, the game appears to want to take the side of the bad people.

But I will say that if Joel survived, it does become harder to tell an interesting story. What COULD have happened is an exploration into the rift between Joel and Ellie after the trolley dilemma events of the first game. It could have been interesting to see Abby out for revenge at the same time Ellie hated Joel.

Ashunderfire8638d ago

Sorry just had to say this lol! RICKYYYY!

Man Cuba Gooding Jr was miscast in that movie, but that part was cringey it was sad and funny at the same time man.

Ashunderfire8638d ago (Edited 38d ago )

I understand but the way they went about killing Joel, was poorly executed. Even the show of the Last of Us games tried to improved it, but it was just as bad. Well at least Joel got to know the reason why he had to die, before the death happened in the show. That part gave us the full context, but the game just let it happen with no pay off.

Joel death should have been a midway thing through the story, so we at least get to play him a little more with Ellie. Abby didn’t need to be this Hulk looking woman, but more like the show Abby which is a beater idea in my opinion.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 37d ago
InUrFoxHole38d ago

The only ND game that was so disappointing to me I couldn't finish it.

pwnmaster300038d ago

Honestly as much as I loved the game, they could have just not killed him off.
I get it creator vision and all but killing a character that made you millions is just wrong imo. At least have him go down fighting.

Show all comments (25)
60°

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Website Launches With New Nomura Artwork and Merchandise

Square Enix launches Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary site, revealing new Nomura art, books, music releases, and merchandise.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
-Foxtrot38d ago

Look I know VIII has its issues and all that but how on earth can the do big anniversary events with new artwork and merchandise for VII, IX and X yet VIII got sweet f*** all.

They could have given it something during its 25th anniversary yet all it got was a single Happy Anniversary post on their social media.

solideagle38d ago

they should know that we are OG fans of VIII as it sold truckload as well. not as much as VII or X. I personally didn't like IX but X and VI are my personal fav.

Shadow Hearts 2 covenant is another game I love. I hope one day someone can make remake, I would be delighted

Relientk7738d ago

Final Fantasy VIII is great and you are always the first to defend it in the comments