There has been quite some outrage over digital sales lately, and rightly so. EA was seriously ripping people off (surprise, surprise) and the PS4 digital versions of games are more expensive than Xbox One versions. Now EA and Ubisoft have solved the problem, and explained why it happened to begin with.
It just goes to show that sometimes your outrage can make companies change. EA and Ubisoft PS4 digitally distributed games are now priced equivalently to Xbox One digital games. That’s right, just in time for the PS4’s launch, there is price parity across both systems. That said, digital games are still priced above retail versions in most cases, and there’s still some indignation about why this happened in the first place. Well, Ubisoft can explain it for us; apparently, it all comes down to pricing matrices:
Both Microsoft and Sony provide pricing matrices for games sold digitally via their respective services, similar to the way tiered wholesale pricing works on Apple’s iTunes
Developers, including Ubisoft, then select a wholesale price within those tiers that best corresponds to our expectations of the games’ overall value and market potential. However, the final retail prices are determined by the vendor.
Ubisoft goes on to explain that the two matrices aren’t identical, which is why the prices don’t align. They know about this problem and are looking at ways to solve it. Well done Ubisoft, nice to see you guys grabbing the bull by the horns and fixing this. I still think retail is probably best for a while – even without considering the cost of the game, the download sizes for these next gen current gen games makes it such an inconvenience. How many days will it take for me to download that? I’d rather just go to a shop and buy it outright. Only downside of retail, I can never just buy one game – always end up walking out of the store having bought far too much.
It’s good to see that Sony was able to work with EA and Ubisoft to bring the prices to where they should be. I just hope that this isn’t an issue that raises its ugly head again.
Last Updated: November 28, 2013
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:10
’bout time
Kensei Seraph
November 28, 2013 at 08:10
“Only downside of retail, I can never just buy one game – always end up walking out of the store having bought far too much.”
3 words: Steam Summer Sale.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:11
Haha. I’m right there with you dude. And it’s only day one.
But it’s the Spring sale now.
Kensei Seraph
November 28, 2013 at 08:12
Wait. What?
Is the Steam Summer Sale on NOW?!?
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:13
Spring Sale. Yes. And it’s brutal
Kensei Seraph
November 28, 2013 at 08:13
Woohoo, I got paid just last week.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:15
That’s the problem. ALL the games on my wishlist is on special. So I’m off to a shocking start. Yet, still haven’t spent more than I would’ve on a single new AAA game.
Brian Murphy
November 28, 2013 at 08:30
Autumn Sale, and there’ll likely be an even greater sale on Friday. 🙂
Kensei Seraph
November 28, 2013 at 08:34
If you scroll down you’ll notice that it has the Autumn Sale banner inverted, although for you it might be the Spring Sale banner instead.
Brian Murphy
November 28, 2013 at 08:40
Nah, I’m in the States, so it reads Autumn sale. I guess it’d make sense they name it differently depending on your location.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:44
Ah. That’s interesting. Well done for Steam for actually differentiating it then.
Brian Murphy
November 28, 2013 at 08:46
Yeah, hopefully ya’ll get to reap the Black Friday rewards though, that’s where the bigtime deals usually happen.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:47
Hope so too.
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:01
Spring/Autumn sale on right now!
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 10:10
Fashionably late, I see. Nice. 😉
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:14
The only way to be man. At least if you’re cool. You lot, not so much. 😉
Ottokie
November 28, 2013 at 10:11
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Legendary Edition!!! Finally a good price awww jiss!
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 10:11
I hate that I already have it. Just because of that price.
Ottokie
November 28, 2013 at 10:13
When the summer sale was on i was checking it everyday but never went further than 33%
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:12
A good price? It’s outright ridiculous! BUY BUY BUY!
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:14
$20? Not paying that. Can get the base game for $7.49, now THAT is a steal. The awesome lies in the mods anyway.
Ottokie
November 28, 2013 at 10:17
Yup and now im torn between Legendary or Base 🙁
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:20
That depends on how much you like vampires and houses really.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:23
These vampires don’t sparkle. Sold. 😀 Seriously. I’m getting the legendary. Fight on horseback? YES!
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:25
hahahahaha. You just made my day.
Kensei Seraph
November 28, 2013 at 08:11
I only hope that Ubisoft’s way of fixing the pricing difference between retail and digital is not forcing the retail prices up.
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 08:43
Not sure they are allowed to do that?
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 08:42
Soooo. What about all those people who have ALREADY bought games? They going to be re-compensated? I don’t thiiiiink so.
Brian Murphy
November 28, 2013 at 08:43
I’m glad you answered your own question there lol 🙂 The good news is I don’t think many people in the UK/Europe would’ve already purchased digital games, via the PS4’s PSN, since it still won’t be out for another day , right? Or am I wrong there?
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 08:44
I don’t trust the rest of the morons on this site to.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:46
Thanks Rince. I’d take offense, but I don’t play console games. So, then are you saying all the console gamers are morons? Since this mostly applies to them. What a terrible thing to say.
Admiral Chief Duke
November 28, 2013 at 08:47
I concur, these peasants are fighting amongst themselves again
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 08:50
I believe you are on this site? I believe you are on this site? There, asked you twice, the world is now in order 🙂 Bwahahahah
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:51
You’re lagging there…might want to have a look at that. Maybe your RAM needs a flush.
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 08:57
No, that was me giving you eyeliner for the day 😛 Was at the dev meeting last night, they are planning on a Christmas party, all invited type thing. Would you be interested? Want to get the CT crew together before silly season falls.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 08:59
I’d be interested. All depends when, since I don’t have holiday over the festive season. Only on the public holidays.
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 09:00
Would be on weekend. They were talking about a wine farm…
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 09:09
Then I would be in. Anything about wine and I’m there.
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 09:13
Cool. Just want to get a list of people who may be keen. Otherwise I may just arrange another meet at Banana Jam or something.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
November 28, 2013 at 11:10
*too
*runs
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 11:14
WRONG! I don’t trust the rest of the morons on this site to (answer my question!)
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
November 28, 2013 at 14:37
I thought so 🙂 But I had to dig too 😀
*runs
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 14:40
“Smithers, release the hounds!” http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltw9qjiX1w1qbgwgbo1_500.gif
Milesh Bhana
November 28, 2013 at 08:57
well, if they were dumb enough to spend R900 for a digital copy instead of R700 for a retail copy…
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 08:57
What you said 😉
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
November 28, 2013 at 09:18
Let’s call it a stupidity tax 😛
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 09:28
I can live with that. Like people who reply to spam and wire money into accounts waiting for their $6 million bonus to appear.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 09:30
That’s a scam? Ag no man! And here I thought the African prince really did need my help to get his money out of the country.
I was going to be a hero.
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
November 28, 2013 at 09:39
Hehe…
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 09:42
Oh, no, that one called Prince Muhammed Nichohamed ReayoAghmed is totally legit. Wire that money through man, do the right thing of his empire will fall to the imperialists!
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 28, 2013 at 09:43
Ah. Alright. Thanks. It’s funny, I’ve been so lucky this week. Two princes and a British banker.
RyseandRepeat
November 28, 2013 at 09:44
Who are in NO way related to me, at all, in any capacity *cough.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:25
replace dumb with rich*
FoxOneZA
November 28, 2013 at 09:04
R927 for Killzone SF on PSN? True? 0_0
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 28, 2013 at 13:29
TRUE…but being adjusted.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:11
All I’m going to say is that the Steam Sale is here. For six days. Skyrim 75% off? Yes please. 😀
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:16
I don’t know if I wanna buy it though, fantastic as the price is… I’ve already finished it (including all side quests) on xbox.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:18
I only ever finished the main game. I want all the legendary perks/add ons. I get money tomorrow. Steam gets it five minutes after I do. 😀
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:19
hahahahahaha.
Man, you’re almost always in DOTA anyways, but at that price, you can add it to your backlog. I’ve literally done everything though, so going back seems a waste.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:21
It’s true. I do play far too much DotA. But then.. when you get that much out of a Free to Play game.. it makes sense to take a few Steam steals here and there. I mean.. I’ve saved so much just playing DotA. 😀
I need to get more Shadow Essence before Diretide ends. I might take an early day Friday and bang out a few dozen games. 😀
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:22
haha count me in man, I too want some more. Only 8 so far. 🙁
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:22
It shall be done! Friday we shall Diretide. And perhaps pub stomp with a full stack. Because I need a win streak in my life. 😛
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:25
I need to break the 9 win streak I had before. On a 4 lose atm. 🙁 My poor stats. Only 62% win rate now. 🙁 So, yeah lets stomp some pubs hard man. Another mega kill streak on CM should help 😛
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:26
That was the funniest shit I’ve ever seen. Massive team fight. Everyone ignores you on your ulti. I finally get to the team fight and EVERYONE is dead already. Sad carry was sad. 😛
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:28
The saddest part is that CM is ultra squishy, 1 stun and I’d have been screwed. Stats of 9/2/21 for that game. 😀 And that 2nd death was well diving at the end just before their ancient died. hahaha. Pubs.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 28, 2013 at 10:26
I looked at that last night, DLC is only 50% off though damn it.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:27
Yeah. I’m going for it though. The perks the legendary edition adds go beyond the DLC though. Just get it. $20 is a steal for an awesome game and all the DLC. Really. Really.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 28, 2013 at 10:29
Really? I didn’t look at the legendary because I already have the base game.
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:39
Are you mad because the base game is only $7.49 right now?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 28, 2013 at 10:44
Nah, I quite happily preordered Skyrim because I was excited for it.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:47
The DLC adds up to $22.47, but that legendary edition (DLC included) is $20.39. The legendary package also includes:
combat cameras, mounted combat, Legendary difficulty mode for hardcore players, and Legendary skills.
Seems like a steal to me.
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:49
I hate you. You make me want Skyrim again.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:51
I’m just saying. That is a damn good deal. It makes buying the base game for $7.49 pointless, IMO. You might as well get the legendary. It’s such a good deal.
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:54
ok that legendary skills thing seems kinda cool. Endlessly leveling up every perk and skill. Oh wait, that’s why I stopped playing the first time, when I could just run up to an elder dragon with dual swords at lvl 20 in heavy armour at lvl 14 and melee that thing to death in seconds… Yeah, it got too easy man. Too easy.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:57
I play to explore everything on the map endlessly. O.O I’d just be excited for more content AND the option to level up random shit too. Plus fighting on horseback! Fus ro EQUID!
ToshZA
November 28, 2013 at 10:59
hahaha, well, we’ll see what this month brings, shall we?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 28, 2013 at 10:54
Okay cool. I’ll wait until the xmas sale though, I won’t play it again now anyway & maybe I’ll be lucky & get an even better discount 😉
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 28, 2013 at 10:29
Aw cute! Which one is Geoff?