The C-E staff give their views on gaming's most important issues.

Activision's CEO got the ball rolling last month, warning of an increase in software prices in the coming years. Other industry figures soon backed him up, citing rising game production costs as the main reason for the rise. As much as we accept the need of the publisher to charge more off retailers because of higher costs, the idea of forking over more cash for our titles is rather off-putting. But just how offputting?

Would you be willing to pay ten dollars more for your games, next gen?

Tom:

I would be prepared to pay more. This generation we have seen some of the lowest prices for new releases the industry has know. The average N64 game cost 50 pounds on release, with several going even higher, especially near the begining of its life. The N64 isn't the only example; in fact the history of gameing is littered with very high prices for software.

The next generation will be providing a far more intense experience, with loads of new features that will most likely be giving us 10 dollars worth more of enjoyment.

Kalpatron:

No! In my country (Greece) games cost 60Euros on release and 10$ more would mean here 10Euros more. So the only way to buy cheap games, would be to import them. I'm not willing to pay that price for sure. Have in mind, that I never pay for a game more than 25Euros. There are more important things to buy and use my money, than buying games at a high price.

Craig:

It doesn't bother me; new releases don't make me rush out and buy them straight away anymore. Only Resi 4 has done that this year.

I'd just wait until they hit the bargain bins from people trading them in. Also I'd start to buy more online, where games with an online discount would be around the same price they are now in stores. Also, in my personal opinion, I only see PS3 games being this expensive, due to the platform, the costs Sony have to try and recoup, and an untested format that may not take off. If people can't pirate the games they'll be reluctant to buy them.

I see Nintendo keeping the games looking good, but not overly complicated, so prices remain low, and the system attractive. I also see a lot of companies moving into handheld gaming, to offset costs and try and make some money.

Jordan:

Computer games are way too expensive as it is. The movie industry spends hundreds of millions on a movie and then sells a DVD for �15. A games company spends a few million (if that) and they charge �30-�40. Most game shops in the UK are now charging �30 anyway to keep competetive with online shops. So as long as the online retailers keep the prices down, I'll be happy.

Justin:

Personally, $10 more would not truly affect me. I only really buy games once they have gotten cheaper. Although I know it would affect a lot of things. They would probably sell less games at launch, because everyone is going to wait until it goes down in price. It will eventually need to go higher though, so next gen might be the time to do it.

Mike:

An extra 10 dollars wouldn't make a big difference because if you want that game bad enough you will pay it. Also, in this generation games have dropped already. You wanna hear something insane: back in the day I wanted Killer Instinct on the SNES so bad that I paid around $100.

That game was the sh*t (ultra combooooo).

While on that note...anyone remember RARE? Me neither! :)

Wouter:

I don't think I'd be willing to, but I also don't think I have to. Even now I rarely buy a game at full price, if you know where to look there's always a few internet shops that go below full price right from the launch of a new title. If all else fails ebay is always there with cheap second hand versions. For me full price games are too expensive as it is already, so the 10 dollar rise won't change much.

Iun:

Well, most retailers have a near 50% profit on new releases, and that's without bulk order discounts as well. So if you imagine that a new game costs �22 for a retailer, they're pocketing �15-�18, which will usually be the equivalent of paying the staff member who sells it for 3 hours or so. Therefore retailers have been making a lot more money on games than they'd like you to believe.

I personally would happily have parted with �50 to get Resi 4 - I paid that much for Ocarina of Time back in the day. But I'd give you a tenner for FIFA Street and still feel like you were ripping me off. �40 is about right for most games, considering the variety of quality out there -and plethora of rubbish as well.

The best thing for gamers to do is vote with their wallets - don't be suckered in by catchy advertising and product placements; we're a long way off from evolving into such crafty consumers, however. Sales of FIFA Street alone prove that.

Ash:

Personally I feel that the ratio of the cost of games to consoles should be sorted out. You can buy a new GameCube for �60 now, and games for �40. There's something not right about that in my opinion.

I doubt I'd pay �10 more for games next generation as I doubt I'll buy a console. However I do feel it is a bit much, for everyone. There is a wide cross section of game fans out there, and to children who don't have a job �50 is a lot. It's just going to discourage them, or their parents, from buying games which will surely hurt the industry. The amount of times I've served a kid at work and they have had to scrape money together. I feel sorry for them as I've been there and done that.

Conor:

Yeah, higher prices always suck, but it's not the end of the world. The solution to any rise in software prices isn't to complain, but simply to be more savvy with your purchasing. There are many outlets for games purchases, beyond paying the full RRP on release day. There'll still be special offers in stores, there'll still be second hand titles, there'll still be online shopping, and there'll still be the eventual drop in price.

Of course, sometimes there'll be no getting away from the heavier finanical wallop. Think of all the disgruntled parents who have lots of new games to buy every Christmas for their demanding kids. But some games will still be worth it; the Zeldas, the Marios, the Half-Life 2s etc., at least we can sure of that.

Although, to be honest, if the games industry wants me to pay more for their games I would like to see something in return: attempts to rein in the spiralling production costs that will cause the supposed price rises. There are a lot of things broken with the industry, and efforts to see to these would make parting with my money that bit easier.

What do you think, dear readers? Would you pay more for your games?