http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/AdamSaltsman/20091206/3743/Bytes_The_099_Problem.php Great thoughts, also his other posts are worth reading.
It's called good business sense. He can write all day why he won't do it but a good businessman would take the hit to attract more people.
Hi, I am finding it interesting there are as many or maybe more posts talking of a sale or price drop than about the game or the new update. Not sure what to make of it. Sure does keep the thread being bumped, even by the staff occasionally. David
Thanks Interesting thoughs, although sake of simplicity might leave stuff out, as in, expected revenues more than a fixed number of quantities sold, and also, the effect of external (international) markets by means of exchange rate. Those 2 factors alone might (I'm sayin MIGHT) weight the balance more towards a lower price (not really saying .99 here, although it might be the case, but 1.99 is nice, exchange rate wise, I say that because I don't live in the US).
The day Canabalt goes on sale is the day the AppStore closes. It is pretty freaking good though, worth the price IMO
honestly just read my sig, I've honestly been around too long to buy anything at full and since I've already waited, it's too late to buy canabalt at full price now since it's release date! now ppl say it'll never happen? I doubt that, price drop in the app store is inevitable period.
K. I read his article and I was too quick to speak down on his/their intelligence. That does make sense BUT he even stated that they'll make most of their dough in the first few weeks so why not after a few months drop the price temporarily? Like after this game wins a bunch of awards and new update is about to be released, drop the price.
i find it interesting reading this thread as it keeps getting bumped up, that one person recommend a price drop and 10 people defend the current price i can't recall another thread that spent more time talking about the price then the game It is a great game but in all honesty, with the economics of the app store, the dev. will make more money if they drop the price to 99 cents...a majority of the market has been accustomed to getting great deals at 99 cents, just look at the top 100, any game that is around 4.99 was @ 99 cents to skyrocket up there, unless its a big brand name, then changed their price back, and they not only received thousands upon thousands of 99 cent sales, but since it is in the top 100, they receive hundreds and quite possibly thousands of 4.99 sales from those people that did not see the 99 cent sale, but see that is in the top 100, so they will buy it at whatever price I agree that it is an amazing game, nonetheless...I've heard the dev's position on why they won't drop the price... I'm not even arguing with people over this, i just want to see how long people can talk about the price, and keep bumping this thread as it is more exposure for the game
Are you choosing to ignore both that if they drop the price to 99¢*they need to sell over 3x the amount of copies to even break even on the deal, and the fact that the developer posted he lost money on the 99¢ wurdle sale they did earlier this year? Good business sense indeed.
Hm, don't like arguing with admins, and you are a smart one, I've seen some of your posts, but... things as I see it: 1. None of us are talking about perma 99c price, just a weekend sale (tops, could even have made it on appvent calendar for 1 day). 2. Indeed, 3x times to break even, but at a time when every other app is gonig on sale, how much do you think sales are reduced due to the fact that people like to take on the limited time deals. 3. Not possible to "lose" money on a no marginal cost product, because MC = 0, MC cannot be higher than the value of the product, ergo, you cannot lose unless you are only in the beggining of the life's product, in which case "loses" are to be expected until you recover you initial investment.
Even temporary sales can lose money. Sure, we are talking about virtual goods here so nothing technically is "lost", but every app or game that falls out of the top listing has a fairly regular daily purchase rate. For apps or games you've never heard of this can amount to 10-20 units a day, or in the case of Canabalt where the game is very well known both to iPhone gamers and people who are involved in the flash game community this number is likely much higher. So if they're reliably making 100 sales a day and bringing in $300, is it really that likely if they have a one day sale outside of any top lists or Apple featuring that they'll more than triple their sales? If they don't, they lost money they would have otherwise made judging by reliable historical App Store sales data. I think the amount of people who are endlessly willing to wait for everything to drop to a dollar make up an extremely vocal minority that is largely misrepresented as the majority on these forums. In the grand scheme of things, $3 for a video game you will spend hours playing is an inconsequential expense, especially when you can play that game for free for eternity online before deciding to purchase. If the majority of App Store shoppers shared this mindset, Canabalt never would have made it as high as it did in the top 100 overall charts because everyone would have just been waiting for the 99¢*sale.
I simply refuse to buy it now after the countless @ssholes saying 'quit whining about the price' blah blah etc etc. Realize that everyone has their own opinion, just because you think its worth it doesn't mean others do. *Waits for Hodapp to come back to the thread and make more "witty" remarks defending Canabalt*
I'll bite: We'll miss you on the global leaderboard. There's no need to defend Canabalt to someone who won't buy it. But they won't shut up about how they won't buy it. This necessitates defending the game, lest people who aren't part of the argument get unduly swayed by one side over the other. Keeping the pricetard arms race even is a necessary evil. But I agree with you that neither side come out looking particularly awesome.
Not sure where you missed the memo on this, but the point of a discussion forum is to, well, discuss things... And people are going to disagree with other people. We wouldn't have anything to talk about if everyone thought every game was amazing, and in the case of Canabalt, well worth the premium price. Good luck with your internet protest though. I hope that was "witty" enough.
True true. Sorry, but for the Canabalt thread, I wouldn't classify this as a discussion, its gone far beyond that. I've played Canabalt on the iPod, and like I said before; everyone has their own opinion and I most certainly don't think its "well worth the premium price." I wasn't aware I was starting an internet protest though..er? And sadly, it wasn't as witty as some of your previous posts; I figured you'd do work on your post after I called you out.
Cool well I hope we can continue discussing the game's worth throughout 2010, that was my Christmas wish after all.
Its still '09, so I might make one of my New Years Resolutions to not come into the Canabalt thread. That'd be a good one..it'd reduce my chances of getting an infraction
so why are your panties in a bunch? are you complaining on the McDonalds forum because you think their chicken fingers are overpriced too? why do you care so much that this is "overpriced"?
There's a McDonald's forum? You would know And..just from your overall tone in that post I'm not going to post a real answer, I don't feel like running around in circles.
