120
rate

Street Fighter IV Shortage Creates Some Hassles

April 01, 2009 in News comments 12

OXCGN writer Aaron Bertinetti shows his dismay at getting his copy of Street Fighter IV in time for the huge Street Fighter IV Media event and asks, do you have the same trouble with AAA titles on release dte, or was this just because Street Fighter IV was so popular?

Last month OXCGN attended the first Official Street Fighter IV Tournament for the Australian games media. But upon receiving my invite I quickly realised two things…

“I can’t bloody wait!”

And…

“I better get some practice.”

But first I needed a copy of the game. Easy. Done. No problem. Oh wait. An email. Play Asia. “Dear valued customer…”
Crap it’s a bloody “shit storm”!

Now I don’t know exactly what a “shit storm” is, but if I suspect it it’s similar to being “up shit creek without a paddle” and largely the result of “shit hittin the fan” (think about that last one). But for a more eloquent use of the term I direct you to our impossibly popular Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (god knows why?!) who used it, deliberately or otherwise, to describe the global economic crisis. Seriously watch this…
XboxOZ360 via oxcgn.com »
Favourite this article Add source
| More
Report!
News story attached to:
Images about this story:

Comments

Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 0
    Pyrazor Apr 2, 09
    What they need is to drop the price already. >_>
    • 2
      iLLmatic Apr 2, 09
      It hasn't even been out 2 months yet T_T
      • 0
        Storm Apr 2, 09
        Yeah, and sales are going strong. To drop the price now would be pretty...dumb.
  • 0
    pooOBKp Apr 2, 09
    From that video I got the feeling that there's a lot of overweight Australians. I know that there's probably not, but just the crowd and that man at the end, it gives off the vibe. Also Storm sales are going strong, but at my local Gamestop there's about 10 used copies of SF IV. That's so many, a lot of people must not be happy.
    • 1
      Storm Apr 2, 09
      Those are probably from the achievement hunters. They buy, get as many achievements as possible, and trade back for a good amount of credit. There's various reasons as to why there's so many, but that's the best I could think of. There's already about ten used copies of RE5 at my local GameStop as well.
    • 1
      Shinobi_razor Apr 2, 09
      what matters is sales of new copies, not how many used copies show up. and sales are going strong.
      • 0
        pooOBKp Apr 2, 09
        I know it's not used sales, I was just stating that maybe a large amount of those people that bought new weren't happy with the overall product. Storm has probably described it best though. I haven't seen any Resident Evil 5 copies yet though.
  • 3
    XboxOZ360 Apr 2, 09
    Sales were exceptionally fast with regards to this game. Usually we can get games even after release date, although they can run out reasonably quick. But this one was gone before you could blink an eye and say Kangaroo.

    What is killing publishers is the HUGE resale market for games, especially here, as they sell really high. Used games can be resold a week later for $5 less than the normal RRP, and ppl pay it. So ALL that money goes straight to the retailer, and nothing to the publisher who is paying for all the ads and promotional gear in the stores.

    So the retailer is having a field day.

    By a month after, Used games still attract a solid price, as buyers look for cheaper games rather than the new game, so the retailers are pushed by publishers to reduce prices of their new games to move stock. Meaning the publisher loses money, but makes sales (sells units) usually below wholesale prices.

    So the retailer is laughing all the way to the bank, and back again.

    That's why the RRP on games (new ones) stay so high.
    • 0
      kik36 Apr 2, 09
      quote
      That's why the RRP on games (new ones) stay so high.
      I would almost believe that if there weren't so many ~2+ year old games still going for original MSRP.

      Personally I wouldn't buy a used game to save $5 (I prefer unopened copies regardless), but $20-$30 off.......you bet your ass! LOL I'm a bargain hunter, and in this economy I won't be making too many brand new video game purchases unless they drop the price by nearly half. It's just one of the many sacrifices I have had to do to keep my family fed and clothed.
      • 1
        iLLmatic Apr 2, 09
        "you bet your ass!" haha, that's a respectable standpoint. You gotta look out for the most important things over all else. Damn I just said things are more important than games.. I never have been one to buy used games either, and my problem is, if I'm interested in a game, I'm getting it on release. I can't wait for the price to go down or I'll be scratching my neck like a crack feen. Even if I don't have the money, I'll find some way.
  • 1
    BANDITO ATTACK Apr 3, 09
    i never buy games at release. i usually wait until they're 35$ or less. i have no idea what its like to try to get release titles anymore @_@
  • 0
    Froggy Apr 3, 09
    I always wait for a returned copy.

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.