Halo 3: ODST Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: Explanation for ODST's $60 price
  • Subject: Explanation for ODST's $60 price
Subject: Explanation for ODST's $60 price
  • gamertag: JBMC7
  • user homepage:

GT = I Am The Anchor

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.

-----

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]

  • 07.09.2009 8:48 AM PDT

oh death was never enemy of ours

you took way too long to explain that, a simler way to do it is just to say that it is the exact same amount as every other new xbox game

  • 07.09.2009 8:51 AM PDT
  • gamertag: JBMC7
  • user homepage:

GT = I Am The Anchor

Posted by: Tesla 123
you took way too long to explain that, a simler way to do it is just to say that it is the exact same amount as every other new xbox game


I disagree. The amount of content between two xbox games can be huge.

  • 07.09.2009 8:55 AM PDT

Napo=*Whips off condom* Yaaa free lovin' is back woo hoo
xTRIGGER09x=Yeah, qnd then there's a larger chance getting a girl pregnant, so I'd put that condom back on.
JAVA2:=All you have to due to cure pregnancy is punch the girl in the stomach....problem solved.
Toast90:=Thats....not right

Nice post, but when I heard about the pricing not being below 40$, I realy started to think about it. Is it Reaaly worth it?
Becouse, if I Buy it, this is what i get for the money then:

Campaign 3-5 hours
and a
New map pack

60$ is just too much in my opinion, I want to wait to the price starts to fall, but I won't, becouse I am a hardcore Halo fan... And thats a problem for me and my wallet.

  • 07.09.2009 9:00 AM PDT

All I ask is that you don't try to capture me.

Posted by: Tesla 123
you took way too long to explain that, a simler way to do it is just to say that it is the exact same amount as every other new xbox game
Heaven forbid that the OP uses some logic...

I agree that Bungie's not to blame for the price mixup, and that they can charge whatever they want for the game. I still feel that ODST is being used as an excuse to get a little extra cash out of a game that should be priced at around $50. I think that a vast majority of the people who buy this game will be long-time Halo fans who have already bought H3, and really don't need another copy of MM. I also think that using ODST to push the Mythic maps on people is a little unsavory.

I'll still probably buy ODST because the game itself looks awesome. I just hope that in the future, Bungie could be a little more straightforward with the pricing, and a little less pushy when it comes to DLC.

  • 07.09.2009 9:00 AM PDT

The fight has been complete.... now get the cookies!

While we certainly share your enthusiasm for the return, we here at the Bungie.net community are mostly made up of snarky asses and jerks who will ridicule you for making a thread about something revealed months ago. We regret that your innocent intentions will almost certainly be replied with anger and sarcasm, and politely invite you to don your Flame-suit, because you just did the internet equivalent of jumping up the Construct lifts.

Bravo, besides no one would complain about other games being 60$. They think that just because it is an expansion (which it isn't anymore as said by Major Nelson) they think it should be less. Your getting your moneys worth, buy it or don't, simple and dont complain. Thank you for this thread.

  • 07.09.2009 9:20 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Don't forget about the Reach Multiplayer Beta Invitation that comes with ODST, I mean come on Bungie added so much stuff to make up for the price and people are still complaining because they already bought some maps that are included... seriously?

  • 07.09.2009 9:32 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Legendary Member

J D O S H

1. I'm a Brit so I get it for £29.99 ( 48$)
2. There are 8 Firefight missions not 6.

  • 07.09.2009 9:36 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

EDIT: Computer was getting weird. Sorry for the double post.

[Edited on 07.09.2009 9:39 AM PDT]

  • 07.09.2009 9:37 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Also, people need to realize that ODST is going to be sold to people who do not have Xbox LIVE, and therefore can not get the newer Halo 3 maps on the Marketplace. ODST has a greater target audience than just people who have Xbox LIVE. ODST gives these kind of people who do not have the ability to get the maps otherwise an opportunity to purchase them.

These people need to buy the Legendary Map Pack and the 6 Mythic Maps. This is a $30 pricetag for these people. ODST's content is optimized for this audience.

  • 07.09.2009 9:38 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: competa
Nice post, but when I heard about the pricing not being below 40$, I realy started to think about it. Is it Reaaly worth it?
Becouse, if I Buy it, this is what i get for the money then:

Campaign 3-5 hours
and a
New map pack

60$ is just too much in my opinion, I want to wait to the price starts to fall, but I won't, becouse I am a hardcore Halo fan... And thats a problem for me and my wallet.


The Campaign is open world. It would take you literally weeks (asuming you don't play 10 hours a day) to explore it all. That's just the world. Then you have the audio logs, the missions, having fun with your buddies in Co-Op, and all that good stuff. Besides, whos to say the Campaign is 3-5 hours? Bungie said that many months ago. They said they added more to the Campaign anyway.

You're also forgetting about Firefight, which can never get boring. Unlike N@zi Zombies and Horde, the waves aren't the same. (Horde only adds a new enemy every 5 or so waves, and then after that it's just the same enemies but more of them). It's random. You can have 3 pairs of Hunters, 10 squads of Grunts and 1 Wraith. Then, you could have 4 Ghosts, 4 Wraiths, 2 Brutes and 4 squads of Grunts. It changes each time. And then, you have the skulls thrown into the mix. They are also random, so you'll never get the same experience each wave. (again, unlike N@zi Zombies and Horde).

And the 3 new maps will have skulls to find, achievements to achieve, and hours of fun in Multiplayer.

Then, you have the Reach beta, which is basically a new game.

I just don't see how you can honestly say it's not worth a measly $60 dollars.

  • 07.09.2009 9:42 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

I'd just like to add one thing directed to all the people still bleating about the price:

If Bungie had never said they were thinking of making it a smaller game, would you care? The answer is likely no, the problem is that now some people have the idea stuck in their heads that this is "only a small game" and will only give a "3-5 hour campaign". That is incorrect now, that was originally the plan but they have now made it a full game. If they had never said they were planning it as an expansion origninally people wouldn't give a damn about the price...

That is of course ignoring firefight as well which should be amazing.

[Edited on 07.09.2009 9:52 AM PDT]

  • 07.09.2009 9:48 AM PDT

AHH LOTS OV WORDZ @_@

  • 07.09.2009 10:06 AM PDT

THIS is the way the world ends...
Guide to smack talking
Posted by: halo is ok
You should of made up your own instrument. You could have named it the PolarLighting -a-phone. People would buy it and they would all be like "Awh, He's so cool for inventing the PolarLighting-a-phone."

Rebuttal


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.


So I should feel better because it is Microsoft, and not Bungie that is trying to rip me off?



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.

That's nice for those people, but how does it benefit me?


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.


I have no doubt that the ODST's campaign will be big, but you're making it seem like more than what it really is. "Six new points of interest" says nothing about how long the campaign is going to be. If the game has a $60.00 price tag the campaign should be provide the same experience as those shipped with good $60.00 games. We know nothing about the campaign, however, so I can't say much. You comparison to GTA doesn't help your argument though, as it provided more for less.


[Edited on 07.09.2009 10:23 AM PDT]

  • 07.09.2009 10:22 AM PDT

Sorry to burst your long winded bubble, but the reason why ODST is priced at $60 is because people are willing to spend that much money on this game. It could be lower, considering that it's an expansion with less dev. time than the full game, but there's no point in making $50, for instance, when you could instead be making $60, economically speaking.

  • 07.09.2009 10:24 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Sorry to burst your long winded bubble, but the reason why ODST is priced at $60 is because people are willing to spend that much money on this game. It could be lower, considering that it's an expansion with less dev. time than the full game, but there's no point in making $50, for instance, when you could instead be making $60, economically speaking.

Yes, but people base how much they are willing to spend on how much content there is packaged in the game and how much benefit/enjoyment they will get out of it. So it all comes back to the same thing in the end ;)

  • 07.09.2009 10:32 AM PDT

Posted by: Strider179


Yes, but people base how much they are willing to spend on how much content there is packaged in the game and how much benefit/enjoyment they will get out of it. So it all comes back to the same thing in the end ;)


You are still looking at it from the consumer's point of view. More specifically, your own point of view evaluating content to justify the purchase.

A buisiness has to look at the situation from more than just that perspective and to do that they evaluate the willingness of the consumer base to purchase whatever they are selling, keeping in mind things like established pricing elsewhere in the industry, spending habits of the consumer, economic standing of the consumers, product goals, psychological studies, ect..

Sure, evalutating content may be part of it, but it certainly isn't the root of all thing when it comes to pricing (otherwise something like the Orange Box would have cost a king's ransom and Fallout 3 DLC would be in the bargain bin of the marketplace.)

[Edited on 07.09.2009 10:44 AM PDT]

  • 07.09.2009 10:39 AM PDT
  • gamertag: JBMC7
  • user homepage:

GT = I Am The Anchor

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I wasn't sure how people would feel about it.


Posted by: PolarLightning
Rebuttal


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.


So I should feel better because it is Microsoft, and not Bungie that is trying to rip me off?



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.

That's nice for those people, but how does it benefit me?


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.


I have no doubt that the ODST's campaign will be big, but you're making it seem like more than what it really is. "Six new points of interest" says nothing about how long the campaign is going to be. If the game has a $60.00 price tag the campaign should be provide the same experience as those shipped with good $60.00 games. We know nothing about the campaign, however, so I can't say much. You comparison to GTA doesn't help your argument though, as it provided more for less.


As for the first quote, if you feel it's a ripoff, no you shouldn't feel better just because it's Microsoft and not Bungie. But that wasn't the point. The point was that many threads that were started that disapprove of the price are pointing fingers at Bungie. Like I said, I don't care if you think it's a ripoff or not, that's your problem, as long as you understand the source of said ripoff.

As for the second quote, it doesn't benefit you. It benefits the community as a whole, and when the community is huge, certain individuals will not be pleased in certain situation. The fact that Bungie is even able to make the community seem small and tight knit at this point is amazing. The whole uproar over the included multiplayer disc can really only be argued through opinion instead of fact, so I can't say you are wrong for feeling ripped off. But I wonder how different it would be if ODST only included the three new maps instead of all 25.

As for the third part, I disagree. GTA TLAD didn't provide more for less IMO. GTA TLAD didn't have any new maps. It used the same city, just with a few new vehicles, weapons, missions, and a short storyline that cleverly tied into the original. The only thing I praise the Rockstar for in their GTA DLC is the constant impressive quality of the writing and cutscenes.

I mean technically, We can't say it provided more for less, since ODST isn't out yet. But for what we know, I feel safe saying the ODST campaign and Firefight alone hold more content than GTA TLAD.

Thanks for offering your view.

[Edited on 07.09.2009 10:53 AM PDT]

  • 07.09.2009 10:52 AM PDT