Halo: Reach: made $200 million

[turk]

I scoff because for the 110 dollars they try to charge here for it in Australia. It is a quarter the game you can get for 20 dollars if you know what to buy. I don't argue that it isn't fun. I love playing Halo with my friends (they pay the exorbitant price ) I argue that it isn't 110 dollars fun. Starcraft 2 is the closest thing I've seen to something polished enough to justify the price (from a big company) and before that Orange Box. Console gamers just seem to be missing the link between their brain and wallet. Perhaps a move to include the console market may take advantage of this. They don't even seem to mind paying for content that should have been released with the initial game and will play glitchy games without complaint so the standard of release could be lower for that market. The expectations simply aren't high and the appreciation for innovation due to the more casual nature of console gaming is lacking allowing for poorer product to sell based upon marketing.

The biggest selling point perhaps is the ability for anyone to pick up and play with their friends in a multilayer setting. PC gaming simply doesn't tap this social/casual (often drunken teenage male /stereotype) market. Blow stuff up just appeals more easily and is more replicable with less effort for inexperienced users is what I think may be the unfortunate crux of it. Good games can often end up like good movies. Off to the side because they too easily offend or challenge rather than spoon feed.

One only needs to look at the way WoW has changed over the years. Content is now nerfed to the point that all but the most casual players see endgame, and sales figures have increased despite the loss of the hardcore. Elitism and challenges simply don't align with the desires of the majority of potential playerbase so Blizzard has made the sensible (yet tragic) economic move to please the masses and offend the hardcore. I would be sad to see Frictional forced to do the same given the outstanding products produced so far, yet wouldn't be surprised if that was what was required to remain afloat, albeit with a slightly lower standard (but more easily appealing) product.