The rising prices of games on your platform isn’t something you usually want to draw attention to, but XBLA portfolio director Chris Charla can apparently also point to a rise in quality to go with it. We guess XBLA needed a bit of an image boost after the unfavorable comparison to Steam the success of indie RPG “Cthulhu Saves The World” on Valve’s service has fostered. Too bad it comes with caveats.
Trends in Digital Game Pricing
“If you look at Live Arcade, and do the math, and look at the publicly available sales numbers, you can see that average prices on XBLA have crept up over the last few years, which has been an interesting trend because on some app markets there’s been a race to zero as fast as possible,” he said.
This trend is particularly noteworthy when compared to other digital marketplaces. For instance, mobile app stores often see a race to the bottom in terms of pricing, with many apps being offered for free or at very low prices. This can lead to a saturation of low-quality content as developers try to monetize through volume rather than quality. In contrast, the rising prices on XBLA suggest that consumers are recognizing and willing to pay for higher-quality games. This shift could be attributed to several factors, including better graphics, more engaging gameplay, and more robust online features.
Consumer Willingness to Pay for Quality
“We’ve seen a little bit of the opposite happening. I don’t really know where prices are going to go – ultimately, that’s set by the market – but it has been really gratifying to see that people are willing to pay a premium price for digital content.”
This willingness to pay more for digital content is a positive sign for developers and the industry as a whole. It indicates that there is a market for well-crafted, engaging games that offer a rich experience. For example, games like “Braid” and “Limbo” have been successful on XBLA despite their higher price points, largely due to their unique gameplay mechanics and compelling narratives. These games have set a benchmark for what consumers expect from premium digital content.
Moreover, the success of higher-priced games on XBLA could encourage more developers to invest in creating high-quality games, knowing that there is a market willing to pay for them. This could lead to a virtuous cycle where better games attract more players, who are then willing to pay more, which in turn encourages the development of even better games.
However, it’s important to note that this trend comes with its own set of challenges. Higher prices could potentially alienate some segments of the gaming community, particularly those who are used to the lower prices seen on other platforms like Steam. Additionally, there is always the risk that higher prices could lead to higher expectations, and if a game fails to meet these expectations, it could result in negative reviews and lower sales.
In conclusion, while the rising prices on XBLA may initially seem like a drawback, they are actually indicative of a positive trend towards higher-quality digital content. As long as developers continue to deliver games that meet or exceed consumer expectations, this trend is likely to continue, benefiting both the industry and gamers alike.
Source GamesIndustry.biz
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