Australian Games on Demand Pricing Revealed

Featured 30 Comments 16 Votes 753 Views 08/08/2009 Back to News

You would think that the Xbox 360's upcoming Games on Demand download service would be priced the same in each region right? That's not the case, as large discrepancies have been revealed in the Microsoft Point pricing structure.

You'll pay a different amount of Microsoft Points for each game depending on what region you live in. The biggest price hike that we face is Mass Effect, which will set you back 1500 MS Points in the US (Approx $20) but 6000 MS Points in Australia ($99). Can anyone say WTF!

The prices revealed so far include:

BioShock - 3000 MSP = AUD $49.95 - 2400 MSP in the US
Viva Piñata - 1800 MSP = AUD $29.95 - 1600 MSP in the US
Call of Duty 2 - 3000 MSP = AUD $49.95 - 2400 MSP in US and 4400 MSP in NZ
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - 3000 MSP = AUD $49.95 - 2400 MSP in the US
Mass Effect - 6000 MSP = AUD $99.95 - 1600 MSP in the US

The service doesn't launch in Australia until August 12, so there is a chance that these are just placeholder prices. Then again so close to that date there's a good chance that it's the final pricing structure.

While many GoD titles retail for the same price as they do in shops in the US, half are grossly overpriced in Australia while the rest can be picked up cheaper at retail. Mass Effect will set you back $40-50 in an Aussie shop, half of what you'll be paying if you download the game. Considering that the service is almost set up to fail down under.

Source

News Article by: Ben 64219Kudos 08/08/2009

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Australian Games on Demand Pricing Revealed Comments

Kudos: 23,157

Rashy

I wouldn't use this service unless the games were significantly cheaper on it.

Really, if I can pick up the same game for the same price (or even a few dollars more) with an instruction manual etc and then be able to resell/trade it when I finish it then why bother Dl'ing it?

I'm still also paying to actaully DL it on top of this also (unless you're with iiNet) I can use the same 5-6GB to download something else instead.

08/08/2009

Sydney

Kudos: 5,289

ducati_748

WTF

08/08/2009

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 12,376

azn_kvn69

Mass Effect for $100, man that's crazy. I'll just get it off GAME for $30.

08/08/2009

NINTENDOLAND

Kudos: 216

JNM90

azn_kvn69 said: Mass Effect for $100, man that's crazy. I'll just get it off GAME for $30.

+1 from what im seeing of this service so far it is a bit of a joke from micro$oft.

08/08/2009

NSW

Kudos: 30,777

Mirage

In a sense I don't really give a damn because in the end it's them not getting cash.

08/08/2009

Toki said: Kman saw a 8 year old girl alone in the street, 15min later..Kman is in the police station, no he did not get rewarded for saving her etc he ended up in jail

Kudos: 5,289

ducati_748

wha? We pay cash for msp....

08/08/2009

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 14,319

Matador

not even going to comment on how much of a rip off that is.

08/08/2009

Sydney, NSW

Kudos: 6,031

skids-undi

i want microsoft to scrap microsoft points and go with actual money
I hate ms points

08/08/2009

Padstow ,Sydney,Australia

Kudos: 5,442

Armige

Well that counts me out from using the service.

08/08/2009

Melbourne, Victoria

Kudos: 311

Jarsta007

Wtf, thats so retarded, come on!

08/08/2009

To your left...

Kudos: 7,719

vblade

Is that a typo with Mass Effect being only 1500 MSP in the US?
If not i'm defintely getting some US points and going Gold.

Edit: Nevermind, i actually read the article

US Marketplace, here i come.

08/08/2009

Townsville, QLD

Kudos: 1,239

SH4D0W

id rather have them on a disc

08/08/2009

Adelaide - GT: KrYpTiC SHaDoWx youtube.com/krypticgaming

Kudos: 14,925

ShuffleZ

double you tee eff!

Mine just updated with the prices in $$$ not MS points.

I'm gonna pass if these prices are like this.

08/08/2009

Melbourne, Victoria!

Kudos: 5,579

MegamanZXUK

Snub this crap, buy your games on disc save money and keep your favourite game stores alive. Digital distribution is ok but i prefer my collectors editions, a box/ artwork, a paper manual and so on. I suppose it does solve my cracked disc issues ive been suffering from lately though.

09/08/2009

Peterborough, UK

Kudos: 4,097

w3v3

HAH! I was actually really looking forward to this feature but if they are planning on sticking with this price they can shove it. I didn't pay $100 for Mass Effect when I bought it new so why the hell would I pay that now. And what the hell. Digital Distribution should mean it's cheaper since they don't have to pay for all the packaging and that crap. Give me a break...

09/08/2009

Wollongong, NSW

Kudos: 1,757

simond75

Can't say I am surprised, little ol' Australia gets the short end of the stick once again, and good luck getting one of us to pay $100 for Mass Effect, whoever made that descision needs a copy of "corporate marketing for dummies"

09/08/2009

Brisbane

Kudos: 284

optimus_mo

whats stopping anyone from creating a us account or jp account and getting games cheaper from another region???? in the digital age - its difficult to justify pricing difference across regions. With xbox 360 games, you could always import cheaper through various websites. now with games to download, it will be even easier to get imports which are cheaper.

only problem is that if the games released on DLC are any good and relatively cheap - need to fork out for a larger hard drive.

09/08/2009

Sydney, NSW

Kudos: 5,289

ducati_748

they'll probably go down in price eventually, and even have 'sales'. Just like they do with arcade games. When they first come out they're freaking 1800 msp, but later on u can grab it for 400.

I just dont understand why microsoft would start this service off as a rip off. I mean, when new shops open, they have a nice little opening sale thing. But microsoft are NOT getting this off to a good start...

09/08/2009

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 4,939

Nubcake

i will never ever use this feature. how retarted do they think we are!!

09/08/2009

Death Star

Kudos: 8,511

TheXtreme

this games on demand does not interest me and i will never use it

unless......

JET SET RADIO FUTURE

otherwise NO!

09/08/2009

Brisbane

Kudos: 4,097

w3v3

TheXtreme said: this games on demand does not interest me and i will never use it
unless......
JET SET RADIO FUTURE
otherwise NO!

Haha... agreed. That was a sweet game.

09/08/2009

Wollongong, NSW

Kudos: 13,525

Kerosanak

The only way I'd ever pay this price was if they were releasing games at advanced times a week earlier-couple days earlier than the in store release date.

09/08/2009

I'm already kind of a big deal in New Vegas

Kudos: 23,157

Rashy

For people thinking of getting these off of the US etc Maketplace beware, some content on foreign Marketplaces is locked.

Check out some of the free Video (non game) related content to see what I mean.

It may not let you DL or play it.

09/08/2009

Sydney