- Some Real Talk
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- gamertag: JBMC7
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Disclaimer - Some of this is my opinion. I don't care if you think ODST should or shouldn't be $60, I'm just putting some variables out there that I think everyone should be aware of, and that $60 isn't a bad price tag considering all of these variables. In fact, many of you probably already know this.
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I log on this forum everyday after work just to see what's up and am still met with many threads concerning ODST's price. I don't feel annoyed by these threads, but I feel like when some people try to defend the price, they are just as misinformed as the OP, so I'm going to go ahead and try to cover every reason why ODST is priced at $60 and why it should be until further notice.
The first thing I see when entering one of these threads is common among most, and that's the constant pointing of fingers at Bungie. If you don't feel like reading further, all you need to know is that Bungie did not choose the price, Microsoft did (as far as I know, Bungie wanted ODST to be $40-$50, but don't quote me on that). As far as the actual sale and distribution of the game goes, Microsoft is in power. The Halo franchise is still Xbox's killer app, and they will do as much as they can to make the most money off of it. Remember, Microsoft is a business like any other, and any business with a successful product will do anything to squeeze as much juice out of it as they can.
The second, most ridiculous claim I see concerns the length of the ODST campaign - "$60 for 3-5 hours?" No one knows how long the campaign is. And believe me, if you've watched any of the videos, you can see how big the free roam map is, with over 6 points of interest on top of them. It would floor me if I could complete the whole entire game on heroic, collectibles and all, in less than 5. Personally, I don't think anyone will be complaining about their moneys worth unless they speed run to each point without looking around, but time will tell.
The last point concerns the Multiplayer disc that's included with ODST. While people ignore the sheer ingenuity of this add on just to complain about how they've already paid for it and don't need it, think about how many opportunities this opens up for new players. So far, Halo 3 multiplayer stands tall when it comes to numbers online every week, and doesn't show sign of slowing down for a while. This is just a way for H3 multiplayer continue healthily. Fans of Halo who don't own H3 anymore will be able to access multiplayer again, and so will people new to the series and only own ODST. And you aren't being ripped off if you already bought the maps like myself. We payed to enjoy them early, and from the way I've played them, I feel like I've got my money's worth for all of the good times.
Here is my breakdown of how much everything should cost -
$30 Campaign - Entirely new map, entirely new story and characters, new weapons, new features (VISR), new music, and new way of playing within the Halo 3 engine. Remember, Far Cry got three new weapons for $10 and GTA:IV got 23 new missions and a couple guns for $20. I can't see how we are being ripped off.
$15 Firefight - Entirely new co-op mode to Halo, replayability (waves different every time), entirely new locations and maps. A whole entire mode (with six maps I believe) with an entirely new way to play Halo 3 co-op ought to be worth more than the standard $10 3-pack we get maps in for Halo 3 Multiplayer, so $15 sounds about right IMO.
$15 Halo 3 Multiplayer - $10 for the new maps, $5 for the other whopping 22, including the ones you already payed for. So really, you're paying $5 for having a stand alone disc, and the people who didn't buy the Legendary, Heroic, and Mythic packs are getting them for free. This might still be a problem for some people, but to me $5 is equivalent to a sandwich and chips at the local convenience store.
Anyway, although some of this is my opinion, I hope I was able to touch on all of the reasons why ODST is $60. If you want to argue or put your thoughts here, go for it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think it will be respected more if people didn't make ridiculous claims about campaign length, "Bungie's" price decision, etc.
[Edited on 07.09.2009 8:53 AM PDT]