EA’s new local pricing PS3 vs Xbox360 (Rumour)

Posted on 12. Mar, 2010 by in Games, News, Rumours

So we have it by reliable word that EA has decided to change local price structuring on games. This is very good news for XBOX360 owners in South Africa, but where does this leave PS3 owners? As for now, this is only a rumour, but we can probably insure that this rumor is true. According to what’s been heard, the new prices will come into effect with the release of Skate 3, EA SA have decided to pursue a new pricing policy with regards to the Xbox 360 version vs the PS3 version.

The new prices see the xbox version at a staggeringly lower price then the PS3 version, approximately R100 lower than that of the PS3 not only for Skate 3, but for Tiger Woods 11 and other games further down the line… Reasons for the shift in prices are unclear at this point in time, but the only reasons we could think of is to stimulate hardware sales of the xbox in South Africa, or to combat piracy.

We all know that piracy among xbox owners in South Africa is rife, and yes this is a global problem. However, according to my logic, it doesn’t make sense to lower prices to combat piracy as any person I know who pirates games, wouldn’t be turned into a buyer of originals just because it’s slightly cheaper. It feels as if we, legitimate buyers of games are getting messed around yet again as I can see no other valid reasons for these price differences.

The price difference also begs another question… If the distributor can slash prices on one console, and still be profitable, exactly how high are their markups to begin with? I can understand it being business and all, but exactly why should we be getting messed around pricewise just because we have a PS3? Not only that, but we have some of the highest game prices in the world, yet this just shows by exactly how much… What are your thoughts on this move should the rumour come to light?

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3 Responses to “EA’s new local pricing PS3 vs Xbox360 (Rumour)”

  1. 0verlord

    12. Mar, 2010

    Where’s this rumour come from? First I’ve heard of it…

    But will suck if the 360 fanboys get to wave in our faces that their games cost less. Probably just the result of the old DVD technology being used :P

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  2. Inzo

    12. Mar, 2010

    This will really suck if it is true not just because of lower price for xbox but because it shows that game prices in SA can be lowered without risk and I have always believed the market is way over priced!

    Reply to this comment

  3. Gavin

    15. Mar, 2010

    The Xbox 360 games used to always be cheaper and at the time it was stated that the PS3 royalties were higher thanks to BluRay than the Xbox 360 DVD’s.

    “but the only reasons we could think of is to stimulate hardware sales of the xbox in South Africa”

    I struggle to see why EA would drop the price of their titles to stimulate 360 hardware sales.

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