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360 version of Devil May Cry 4 discounted in the UK: PS3 version ten quid more photo

Here's a very interesting little tidbit of information, especially if you're from the UK, where we find ourselves subject to unfair price hikes that don't reflect the true value of an electronic product. With videogames costing $60 in the USA, the UK equivalent price should be near the £30 mark, but usually we get savaged with £40-50 price tags. Not very fair at all. Capcom, however, has decided to show an amazing sense of righteousness, and will be pricing its upcoming Devil May Cry 4 at £29.99 in the UK.  The catch -- it can only do this with the Xbox 360 version, as the PS3 price tag comes ten pounds more expensive at £39.99.

Capcom actually expressed surprise that other companies weren't discounting their 360 games, and I must admit it's shocking. If Capcom can do it, and seems to believe everyone can do it, then it means games companies are willingly slapping RRPs on their titles that are far more expensive than they need to be. And they tell us not to buy secondhand games and show respect to the industry -- what a laugh. Either way, I'm buying Capcom a beer for this, but the question remains, why can't the company do this on the PS3? This is all Capcom has to say:

I didn't realize we were the only publisher doing this. In actuality, it's not that the PS3 version has been made more expensive, but that our business model has allowed us to discount the Xbox 360 version.

There you have it. Not very explanatory, but what can you do? Well I know what I'm going to do -- buy Devil May Cry 4, brand new, for £29.99. When I see a publisher selling a new game for that much, that's when I show some respect. Capcom has guaranteed a brand new, day one purchase from at least this happy chap, but as far as UK PS3 owners go ... damn, sorry guys. At least you get to not have loading screens or something, right?








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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45 comments | showing # 1 to 45
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BS3 Owner's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:26
BS3 Owner
How did your caption Know Jim?
Y0j1mb0's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:29
Y0j1mb0
Well here in the US of A they both will be the same price. Sucks to be in the UK for those PS3 owners.

Lets just hope you don't get any red light flashy Jim.
Trev's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:30
Trev
I wonder what part of the business model gave them the idea not to split the difference and sell both games at lower price, thereby looking awesome all around.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:37
king3vbo
Well they'll be teh same here in the States, so I guess congrats UK 360 owners? You have to pay around 60 dollars instead of 80-90?
Harkonnen's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:38
Harkonnen
Apparently, their business model doesn't allow them to charge fair prices in the rest of the EU, where it will retail for 60€/unit.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:49
Snaileb
So you brits get late games, yet half the price? Bullocks.

Awesome caption by the way. You're just asking for it aren't you? Reguardless, Action Bastard would be proud.
maxio098ui's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:57
maxio098ui
I am so gonna get this from england to play on my dutch xbox. unless it costs the same here.
njsykora's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 10:59
njsykora
All PS3 games are around £5-10 more here.

@Harkonnen - That's your punishment for the Euro. Worst. Currency. Ever.

@Snaileb - I do hope that's sarcasm.
Joe Burling's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:08
Joe Burling
So 360 games could be that much cheaper in the UK but other companies don't discount them? If they did, you may see the 360 pull ahead in the UK before the PS3 has a chance to get ahead.

If all games were that much cheaper on the 360, would that affect your console purchasing decision?
moot button's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:12
moot button
"it's not that the PS3 version has been made more expensive, but that our business model has allowed us to discount the Xbox 360 version."

yeah... that doesnt make sense, at all. instead of discounting one by 10, why not discount them both by 5? PS3 was apparently the lead platform on this game, so i understand that porting would be easier for the 360. but why would that make it ok to discount just the 360? the money is still going to the same company. cheaper games means more sales, period. i guess it doesnt matter to me since i'll be paying $60 for it anyways.
TNTv's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:20
TNTv
Cool! I might actually by it now! But not because of the price. Just out of spite.
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:26
Justice
Wait a japanese game company treats the UK RIGHT?

ZOMG!
Emrah's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:36
Emrah
The way I see it, they can sell more on xbox360's, so they probably can afford to reduce its price. I am a happy PS3 owner btw. ps3 for teh winz.
MatCD's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:40
MatCD
if you ask me I'd say that it's a business experiment that they're doing

P.S. DMC is AWESOME!
Trev's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:41
Trev
Moot Button:
It does seem pretty self-fulfilling, doesn't it? DMC4 went multi-platform, obviously, because Capcom didn't think there would be enough PS3 sales, but if they sell one version at a discount, anyone with both consoles really seems ill-advised spending extra for the same game.

We seem to agree on the pricing issue. If both were sold for 35, it would be below the standard 40 and it wouldn't be so set up for a "see, we knew the ps3 version wouldn't sell enough".
hollywooda's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:41
hollywooda
You see, when Sony make stupid decisions, you end up paying for them.......but as Sony say, "this is living".....
KingMe's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:50
KingMe
Maybe they've realized that the PS3 is catching up fast in Euroland, so they're keeping the price high to maximize profits?
Sabreman's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 11:52
Sabreman
On a related note: the PS3 and 360 versions of Burnout Paradise cost exactly the same at wholesale, yet most retailers sell the PS3 version at £5 more than the 360.
EternalDeathSlayer's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 12:04
EternalDeathSlayer
I've got both so it doesn't matter, but fuck yes, if games were cheaper on the 360 in the USA and I had to choose one console, it'd definitely be the 360. This reminds me of how N64 games were so much more expensive than PSone games.

PSone = usually 40 bucks, sometimes 50 for multidisc.

N64= around 60 to 70.

Of course, I still had both back then too.
foredaddy's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 12:11
foredaddy
You guys are getting ripped pretty bad from all angles.

29.99 british pounds is pretty much 60 US dollars. So thats pretty much right

but 39.99 pounds... You guys do have rape laws over there right?
BS3 Owner's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 12:11
BS3 Owner
@ Trev

Very sound Call my man!
Red TheHaze Veron's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 12:19
Red TheHaze Veron
its still at the same level as $60 American.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 12:26
mix
"our business model has allowed us to discount the Xbox 360 version"

That translated means Microsoft is paying Capcom, or helping them cover the difference, to sell this game at a near skimming price so that people with both systems will choose the 360 version over the PS3 one.

You heard it from me.
Aurain's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 12:33
Aurain
Not so much news as publising something pretty common over here. Expect to see it for 45 in store for PS3. Money grabbing bastards.

In this case though, I don't mind the extra tenner for this one. The PS3 version is the slightly better one imo(Not that the 360 one is like playing DMC1, and some say 360 edges it graphically, I can't see a difference). However, DMC's home is Sony's PS, and the controls are perfect on SA/DS3. Also, slightly better loading can't hurt, and install apparently plays a retrospective of the series, which should be cool. PS3 one even has achievements, but don't add to a gamer score like 360, but nothing is stopping Capcom not patching them as trophies into Home. We're not getting Ripped off, just that 360 owners are getting a great bargain. (Winning some of the NG fans maybe?). TBH, I won't be surprised if its 40 for 360 instore anyway. Money Grabbers etc etc.
F Whipple's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 12:52
F Whipple
I bet those fanboys who made a petition to keep DMC PS3 exclusive are crying right now...if they were in the UK that is
SubOrbital's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 13:03
SubOrbital
PS3 sucks anyway. My one just collects dust and plays DVDs since there are crap all a-list games on it that interest me. And those that are are already on the 360. It's not a bad machine, I don't think, but it's definitely my least favourite of the three.
cap123's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 13:30
cap123
woo! i was only thinking of buying it, still being yet to finish orange box and mass effect, but now for sure, 100%. Great news
catsithx's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 13:36
catsithx
Sucks to live in the UK. oh well life goes on
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 13:50
Cheeburga
Awesome picture is awesome.
konchu's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 14:25
konchu
Would be interesting to see why it is cheaper on 360. I don't buy a MS Conspircy though for one are MS's games cheaper in the UK nope. They would gain little to nothing they couldn't have done with their own published titles.

So is the difference here due to licensing cost for the console. Media Cost might factor into it Im sure Blu-Ray cost more to make but not sure 20 US dollars worth. Or maybe development cost the PS3 does take a lot more work coding wise so maybe that is a contributing factor or maybe all of the above.
DOOM's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 14:47
DOOM
Cool, I will rock my 360 over my ps3 anyday!
moonkid's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 16:05
moonkid
What's the betting that Game price it at £34.99 to increase their profit margin?
Aurain's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 16:23
Aurain
It'll be 40 probably. I seen Games on GAME site for 32, 45 in store. Robbery
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 16:43
Bob Muir
That's pretty cool, but it's a shame that the US doesn't get the price cut.
vp360's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 17:05
vp360
haha! ur life does suck!
Magesx's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 17:29
Magesx
That's what you Brits get for being communists.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 18:31
Jim Sterling
Necros: It's hardly a shame. £29.99 brings it in line with the US cost. It shouldn't even be called a discount, more like an international balance.
Bioautographical's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 18:38
Bioautographical
Indeed, UK prices for 360 games should've been this low across the board for awhile now. UK'ers get absolutely SCREWED when it comes to games, and other electronics in general.
Bioautographical's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 18:39
Bioautographical
Indeed, UK prices for 360 games should've been this low across the board for awhile now. UK'ers get absolutely SCREWED when it comes to games, and other electronics in general.
RitualNet's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 20:04
RitualNet
I've seen games come out at £42.99 over here. What irritates me the most though, is that new games are normally priced at £40. Great, if the game is WORTH it. Bullet Witch? BladeStorm? Blue Dragon? it's only recently Bladestorm came down to £29.99, while in the US i bet they are paying alot less.

This is why i buy second hand. This is also why i'll wait up to a year before buying a game that i'd 'like' but aren't desperate for (such as Bladestorm). People say it's wrong to buy second hand, but until i can go into a store, safe in the knowledge that £30 will buy me a nice shiny new game, they can go suck eggs. Next console, i'm buying an NTSC model if it's not region free, and UK can go screw, i'll import EVERYTHING.
Zeag's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 21:14
Zeag
I wonder if that's gonna happen in Canada... But I only got a PS3 anyways =/
Fading Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 21:31
Fading Star
Discounts are good.
StolenName's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/29/2008 23:27
StolenName
No one gets boned more than Australia.

Breakdown of DMC4 prices, not special edition:

EB Games.com.au
DMC4 PS3 $109.95 AUD
DMC4 360 $ 99.95 AUD

EB Games.com (US)
DMC4 PS3 $ 59.99 = $67.60 AUD
DMC4 360 $ 59.99 = $67.60 AUD

Game.com.uk
DMC4 PS3 49.99 pound = 112.00 AUD
DMC4 360 39.99 pound = 89.00 AUD

Hmmm .. actually, looks like we're getting a better deal than the UK. That's kind of interesting. Usually we get screwed.
TorpedoTed's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/30/2008 07:41
TorpedoTed
PS3 games are always more expensive, thats why i have an xbox, i could buy 3 trade in games to 1 PS3 game.
You pay more for the name it seems! Trendy sux balls!! and cocks!!
konchu's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/30/2008 10:18
konchu
I'm curious though how much if any of the cost is due to import taxes.
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