Tag: price

Retailer Matchup: Redbox Vs Gamestop


Redbox kiosks have become the new Blockbuster in the United States, with kiosks going up all over the place and the company’s strategic planning to stick this brand wherever you might shop, be it your local grocery store, pharmacy, or mall. While similar to Blockbuster in its habit of not having the Blu-Ray copy of the movie you really want to watch in stock, many might not be aware that you can buy copies of games directly from RedBox.

And get a pretty good deal, too. I’ve noticed that Redbox’s prices are consistently below what Gamestop usually charges, and every so often when Redbox decides to retire a game from the library, you can find it clearanced at a pretty low rate. I picked up Homefront for $2, although that didn’t make it less of a bad game. Now, obviously, this issue is much broader than price, so giving a flat price comparison with no context is pretty misleading if not downright slanderous to Gamestop. Buying from Gamestop compared to Redbox comes with a 7 day, no questions asked refund policy with 30 days to swap out in case the disk is damaged. Redbox doesn’t offer any of this. Gamestop also has regular buy 2 get one free deals, Redbox does not.

And of course you should generally expect Gamestop’s prices to be higher as the costs of doing business as a standard store front (store rent, actual employees, utilities, transport, etc) far outweigh those of an unattended rental kiosk. I’m also willing to bet that game sales aren’t a huge part of their revenue stream, which is probably why they’re willing to let go with Agents of Mayhem (a 2 month old title) for a paltry $20. The goal of this project wasn’t to claim that Gamestop is ripping off customers with prices, just to bring attention to the fact that Redbox sells games (which not a single person that I’ve spoken to prior to writing this knew) and to see exactly how wide the prices differ.

The prices below are pre-owned prices for Redbox (left) and Gamestop (right). Gamestop prices don’t factor in the 10% discount for pro members, and given the return policy, in places where the price is the same, I’m going to give the point to Gamestop. Redbox also naturally has a much smaller library of games than you’ll find at Gamestop, this list covers every game that is currently for sale. All prices were pulled today and will absolutely not be accurate if you’re reading this six months from now.

PlayStation 4:

  • Agents of Mayhem: $19.99 vs $49.99 (Redbox)
  • Horizon: Zero Dawn: $44.99 vs $44.99 (Gamestop)
  • Resident Evil 7: $34.99 vs $37.99 (Redbox)
  • Micro Machines World Series: $9.99 vs $19.99 (Redbox)
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens: $14.99 vs $19.99 (Redbox)
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider: $24.99 vs $37.99 (Redbox)
  • Rocket League: $19.99 vs $27.99 (Redbox)
  • Mass Effect Andromeda: $19.99 vs $24.99 (Redbox)
  • For Honor: $29.99 vs $39.99 (Redbox)
  • Dishonored 2: $24.99 vs $29.99 (Redbox)
  • Skyrim: $29.99 vs $37.99 (Redbox)
  • WWE 2k17: $9.99 vs $24.99 (Redbox)
  • Final Fantasy XV: $19.99 vs $29.99 (Redbox)
  • Titanfall 2: $19.99 vs $29.99 (Redbox)
  • Battlefield 1: $19.99 vs $39.99 (Redbox)
  • Mafia III: $19.99 vs $27.99 (Redbox)
  • Hitman Season 1: $24.99 vs $44.99 (Redbox)

For Playstation, Redbox prices averaged out at about 32% cheaper than Gamestop.

Xbox One:

  • Agents of Mayhem: $19.99 vs $49.99 (Redbox)
  • Resident Evil 7: $34.99 vs $37.99 (Redbox)
  • Micro Machines: $9.99 vs $19.99 (Redbox)
  • LEGO Star Wars: $14.99 vs $27.99 (Redbox)
  • Fallout New Vegas: $9.99 vs $9.99 (Gamestop)
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider: $14.99 vs $17.99 (Redbox)
  • Rocket League: $19.99 vs $27.99 (Redbox)
  • Mass Effect Andromeda: $19.99 vs $24.99 (Redbox)
  • For Honor: $29.99 vs $34.99 (Redbox)
  • Dishonored 2: $24.99 vs $29.99 (Redbox)
  • Skyrim: $29.99 vs $37.99 (Redbox)
  • RBI Baseball 17: $4.99 vs $18.99 (Redbox)
  • Mafia III: $19.99 vs $27.99 (Redbox)
  • Final Fantasy XV: $19.99 vs $29.99 (Redbox)
  • Titanfall 2: $19.99 vs $29.99 (Redbox)
  • Battlefield 1: $19.99 vs $29.99 (Redbox)
  • Hitman Season 1: $24.99 vs $44.99 (Redbox)
  • WWE 2k17: $9.99 vs $24.99 (Redbox)

Xbox games ran slightly cheaper than Playstation by comparison (33% instead of 32% under Gamestop).

One thing I did notice is that Gamestop is either well aware of Redbox’s prices, or there is an extreme coincidence in pricing. A fair number of the games listed were on sale by Gamestop in their pre-owned format, and those prices just happened to be exactly how much Redbox was selling for. I also noticed that in cases where Gamestop and Redbox’s prices have major differences, that Gamestop’s trade in price is always just a few dollars below what Redbox is selling for. So I don’t think that the two are ignorant of each other’s existence.

This article is not brought to you by Agents of Mayhem, which you can find at a ridiculously cheap price at Redbox (also not sponsored).

Hearthstone Tells Non-Americans To Pay Up: How Prices Are Changing Worldwide


The Hearthstone community is responding with frustration as Blizzard announced that the price of card packs in countries that are not America are set to rise, some as high as 30%.

Announced via the Hearthstone forums, one can find a list of new prices set to go into effect on March 22 in countries all over Europe, Africa, and South America on PC, Mac, and Android. In America, the cost of a two pack is $2.99, the two pack containing ten cards total. The price increase in some regions marks upwards of a 30% boost over what Americans are paying.

According to the announcement, this will not affect the price of the Un’Goro prelaunch bundle:

We regularly look at our pricing around the world, and from time to time we make changes such as these to align with local and regional market conditions. The price of the Un’Goro prelaunch bundle offer will not be affected by this change and will remain the same until launch.

The analytically driven among you can find a work in progress chart of the price changes here, showcasing exchange rates and how the prices will change in the coming weeks. It is worth noting that in many regions, the prices have been lower than they are in the states. How this will affect player’s purchasing decisions will have to be seen.

Blade & Soul Is Getting More Expensive


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Blade & Soul is about to get more expensive for European users, as NCSoft has announced price hikes coming to those who pay via Euro and British Pound. Beginning June 1st, prices for premium membership will increase for parity with the in-game Hongmoon store, according to NCSoft.

New prices will start out at €11.99 and £9.59 for 30 days of premium. Roughly translated to USD, this means European players will be paying $13.43 and $13.87 for the same service that Americans currently pay $11.99 for. Any subscription prior to June 1st will be locked in at the current price.

(Source: NCSoft)

Black Desert Online Reduces Costume Prices 10%


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MMORPG.com is reporting that costume prices in Black Desert Online will be reduced by 10% in response to community criticism over high prices. Currently in beta, Daum Games has taken heavy backlash on its forums over the perception that its prices for cash shop items were too high, with costumes going for as much as $32. According to associate editor Suzie Ford, Daum has confirmed that prices will drop by 10%, with the publisher keeping an eye on community feedback in order to continue tweaking its pricing for the future.

The announcement has been met with mixed reception by the Black Desert Online community, with some praising the developer’s response as others decry prices as still being too high after the reduction. Whether or not the new prices will inspire customers to pony up for costumes and pets will have to be seen when the game goes live in the coming weeks.

(Source: MMORPG.com)

Australia To See 10% Price Hike On Steam


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A 10% price hike on Steam games sold in Australia is all but confirmed, as reported by PC Gamer. As some outlets have been covering, the 2015 Australian budget will include a tax on intangible imported goods, the goal being to apply the GST (Goods and Services Tax) that had not been collected due to the law being written before such goods had become a major market.

When the new prices go into effect is presently unknown.

(Source: PC Gamer)

RuneScape Subscription Price Increase in 2015


runesfest

Jagex has announced today that 2015 will see an increase in the price of RuneScape’s subscription. While the new price and date have not been finalized, current subscribers can rest easily knowing that your rate will be grandfathered in at the usual rule: As long as it doesn’t lapse for more than 14 days. Additionally, Premiere Club will reopen on December 1st, allowing players to lock in their rate by buying a full year in advance with extra rewards.

If you’re a member when the price rise happens, you’ll see no change. You’ll stay at your price as long as your active membership started before the date of the price rise. This applies for all previous grandfather rates, for those of you who’ve been subscribed for a long time.

We will update with more information when it becomes available. Check out Jagex’s Runefest presentation on 2015’s upcoming updates here.

(Source: RuneScape)

Neverwinter Permanently Drops Prices


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Over at Neverwinter, prices are falling faster than snowflakes on something that repels snowflakes, I am not very good with analogies. What I can tell you is that companions are currently on sale for 60% off until December 30th, after which the deal will be almost as sweet. When the sale does end on Monday, prices will be permanently reduced by up to 47%. Reductions depend on the rarity level of the companion, but range from 29% off to 47% off for the rarest and most common respectively.

Companions will be priced between 800 and 2500 zen, which can still be obtained in-game by trading astral diamonds, following the update on December 30th.

(Source: Neverwinter)