Half of all PC gamers wait for a game to go on sale before buying

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Sales may be killing developers’ chances of getting gamers to pay full price for new releases.

Half of all PC gamers in the US wait for a game’s price to drop before buying it.

That’s according to a report by the NPD Group, via GamesIndustry.

The report, which draws on a June survey of 6,255 individuals, said 46% of respondents who game on PC bought a title digitally in the last year, but those who download games rather than visit the shops are “far less likely” to pay full price.

“Consumers’ expectations may be the greatest barrier to maximizing spending in the PC gaming space,” NPD analyst Liam Callahan said.

“Since half of PC gamers who play digital and/or physical games on the computer are expecting there to always be a sale right around the corner, publishers and retailers alike need to better manage these expectations.”

As a consumer, you may be thinking something along the lines of “half of all PC gamers are very sensible, then”, but some developers – particularly indies – have strong concerns about the effect of sales on the games industry.

Posted:
Related Forum: PC Gaming Forum

Source: http://www.vg247.com/2014/09/10/half-of-all-pc-gamers-wait-for-a-game-to-go-on-sale-before-buying-report/

Comments

"Half of all PC gamers wait for a game to go on sale before buying" :: Login/Create an Account :: 66 comments

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1989Posted:

Astronauts
Ortho I don't play PC but if I did I wouldn't wait for sales; I never do


Lol same here, I'm to impatient for that :P


yeah same and on xbox there arnt really any good sales tbh but i quess on steam there is

1989Posted:

i guess this is good as people save money

TTG_DIGITALPosted:

Why wouldn't anybody wait and save a few bucks?

YuiPosted:

This is somewhat exactly what I do. Unless it is a brand new game which I absolutely want.

OPPosted:

Eh sales are really common on steam for popular games so i usually wait.

AstronautsPosted:

Ortho I don't play PC but if I did I wouldn't wait for sales; I never do


Lol same here, I'm to impatient for that :P

TheKeegano101Posted:

Pc player checking in here. Sorry game developers, but paying $60 for a game is absurd. The only time I really buy games at full price is when they really peak my interest. So far the only game this year that has done that is civilization beyond earth and yet I still haven't pre-orded it. The only time I really buy games now is when I find bundles, the steam sales, and private sellers on reddit. I am a very patient person and can wait for the price to be right for me. If they take away my precious sales I simply won't be purchasing their game.

LoodPosted:

I dont think its as much of people waiting for sales as it is just seeing a game while its on sale since its displayed much more plublicly when they do go on sale.

OrthoPosted:

I don't play PC but if I did I wouldn't wait for sales; I never do

DeluxeHazardPosted:

Does this mean more sales on Steam?