Future Xbox, PlayStation games could be free

[wraggster]

THQ has claimed that the price of video games will drop in future - and could even go free-to-play - as publishers release less content on-disc.

According to THQ boss Brian Farrell, the future of console gaming is most likely see stripped-down titles bought at retail for $29 - $39.


Gamers will then have the option to download extra content to the tune of around $100 if they so wish.

THQ is experimenting with the hybrid model with its MX Vs ATV off-road racing title, due for release next year.

However, Farrell told investors this week that a free-to-play model - where gamers only pay for in-game items and extra content after a gratis initial sale - could end up dominating the industry.

"You might know we are the industry leader in off-road racing in gaming with our MXVs ATV brand," Farrell told the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference in New York. "In the past, we've seen that we bring the game out at $59.99 and it does reasonably well - around one million, or one million-and-a-half units.

"When we lower the price to a mass market price the thing really jumps... So what we're doing this time is we're coming out initially with a smaller game at a lower price point - the $29 to $39 range.

"We're then doing a download model for different modes, different tracks, different vehicles. It's what we call a hybrid - it's a bit of the microtransaction and DLC model.

"It does a couple of things: I'm a big believer in monetising under the curve, so we capture that $29 to $39 user no matter what, and a person that wants to spend $100 on the product can do so as well.

He added: "I think that's the future of gaming - whether it's this model or a take on the free-to-play model. It's where our industry is going and this is a very, very interesting experiment with one of our key brands."

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[Fonixx]

I certainly wouldn't mind having free premium games given away inside a newspaper, but as soon as those consoles are hacked it's gonna backfire on a massive scale, because a lot of people are put off from downloading and pirating a 20gb+ game but give them a free game and a lot more people will justify theirself just downloading little bits of extra DLC.

[Stew2000]

GT6 would be a fine example of it.
Pay something like £15 for the basics. few cars and tracks. Then you buy the cars and other things you want as dlc.
Who is really gonna get their moneys worth from GT5?
How many cars will you drive out of the 1000 odd?