If there was any doubt that Activision has officially turned into the evil empire then I think the latest comments from CEO Bobby Kotick will surely cement your opinion on the company being entirely focused on making tons of money while they shaft consumers.
During the Activision Conference Call when an analyst from Piper Jaffray brought up the issue of pricing Bobby Kotick replied that if given the chance he would actually raise prices for their products. For this to fully sink in and I’ll post the exact excerpt from the call:
And a second question, if you don’t mind, just your comfort level regarding pricing of some of your new games that have some expensive controllers and any feedback that you had from retail as we move through the holidays. Thanks, guys.
Michael J. Griffith
And then on the second question, Tony, on the pricing, we’ve had for all of our launch titles in the back half of this year, some of which contain peripherals, as you point out, very strong retailer acceptance and support for all parts of our plan, including our merchandising plans, our marketing programs, and our price points.
Robert A. Kotick
And Tony, you know if it was left to me, I would raise the prices even further.
Lets take a look at the key products Activision is releasing this year and their pricing:
- Tony Hawk’s Ride - $119.99
- DJ Hero - $119.99
- DJ Hero Renegade Edition - $199.99
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – $59.99
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Hardened Edition - $79.99
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition $149.99
- Guitar Hero 5 - $59.99
- Guitar Hero 5 Guitar Kit - $99.99
- Band Hero - $59.99
- Band Hero Band Kit - $199.99
So if Bobby Kotick had his way those high prices would probably be higher than they already are. I know that all companies need to make money and earn a profit but it just seems like Activision has entirely been focused on whoring out all their key franchises and are trying to release as many peripheral based games or special SKUs as they can. Of course every publisher out there tries to get the most out of their key franchises whether it’s through releasing a CE or DLC but Activision is on pace to make the old EA look like an indie publisher when it comes to their attitude about things and general business practices.
I wonder how things would be priced in the Bobby Kotick universe. Perhaps regular games would retail for $69 while special SKUs like Tony Hawk’s Ride would be $150 and up. Kotick’s comments are especially funny since a few weeks ago he commented that Activision may have to stop supporting the PlayStation 3 and perhaps the PSP if a price drop doesn't happen soon. So in Kotick’s universe it’s not ok to spend or support a console that costs $399 but it's ok to spend $100 or more on an individual game. Activision just seems to be too damn arrogant for their own good this gen.
Wow wtf. I'm sorry but, fuck him. Games already went up $10 this gen for 360/PS3. Activision has really turned into the old EA. I know every company wants to make money but a) they aren't losing money and b) they have a game called World of Warcraft that gives them approx $142,500,000 A MONTH! A MONTH!!!!!!! Not long ago he was saying the PS3 needs a price drop, yet now he wants to raise game prices......doesn't make sense in a normal persons head. The only games from that list I'm getting is MW2, I'm not a fan of the rhythm games so fuck him and their whoring out of games.
Great pic btw Ian lol
One of the reason why I wont be picking up MW 2. I'm sick and tire on hearing on how Activision is trying sell MW 2 as the greatest game ever to be release. Especially with this economy in the gutter and they are talking about how they would raise prices! They better be careful because the poor economy is finally catching up to gaming industry. Sales are beginning to go down and the industry isnt as untouchable as they thought it was.
Well i dont even have or plan to buy that many Activition games. The new COD MW2 will be one of the few games ill get from them. So they dont really bother me that much.
They are corrupting Blizzard too. Or Blizz corrupted themselves with WoW. Who knows. Starcraft II is set to be a trilogy, so there's the first game and the terran campaign, then the next two have the zerg and protoss ones. Watch them charge the full retail price for each one. SC2 also has no LAN support, lolwtf!?
I don't like most FPS games, nor rhythm games (besides Audiosurf), so I haven't bought an Activision game since Call of Duty 1.
Wow, god I love them. Arrogance has now just come full circle I guess.
Whoa,this guy is getting out of hand. Games are expensive already and they want to make it more expensive. If they actually make it more expensive I won't buy their games ever!!! Good thing I only want one game from that list and it is MW2.
I'm with Corey on this one. In the process of making money most game companies have become huge hulking money making franchises rather than what indie developers originally set out to do, MAKE GOOD GAMES and MAKE MONEY.
In light of his latest PR booboo's im gonna carve another line in my bed post for Activision.
and the fact Star Craft 2 has no LAN support and is gonna be 3 separate titles is ridiculous.I don't even like the game but man i feel sorry for all those LAN cafe owners.
I swear to god if they fuck up Diablo I am gonna beat someone senseless.
Omg I've been waiting for D3 soon after LoD came out back in 2001. I'm with you Michael if they butcher Diablo.....
And shit I forgot SC2 is not gonna have LAN. SC1 was a staple in any "lan party" back in the day. I was against Blizzard and Activision merging to begin with and now I hate it even more.
I don't think I ever played game assoicated with Activision.Well, good luck with that! It was nice knowing you.
Games for me have always fallen in the 40-55$ region.
The only time I'd pay more for a single game is if it's a visual novel. And, eventually, they too will get cheaper in time.
How much money could they posibly want?They want to have their own islands and series of planes and helicopters?
I would say ATLEAST a few islands and a personal air force. Greedy people only get more greedy.
F* this guy,if it wasnt for MW2 i wouldnt be feeding you money you arrogant bastard.
i dont care much for activision so it dosent apply to me to much.
It's not uncommon for the CEO of a company to want to raise its prices. Hell, I'd love to raise the prices of everything I sold to!
The thing is, Activision has been on a roll lately with really lame PR screw ups. Bobby comes across as a frickin tool. Especially after his bull shit temper tantrum about the PS3 costing too much. GTFO Bobby your god damn Dj Hero costs over $200 when it's all said and done. FOR A CONTROLLER AND A GAME.
If the product truely does justify the price...great...but Activision has a long way to go in term of consistently impressing me before I feel like I really got 100% or more of the value of what I paid for. I still remember having tons of friends have to return first gen Guitar Hero drum sets that were rushed to market and were busted out of the box. Drums not detecting hits accurately or just not working at all.