Controllers cost as much as games

[Demon_Skeith]

It's strange that it is possible to buy a wireless game controller for PC for $20-40, but a similar Game console controller cost $60-70.

Maybe the government should force game console makers like Microsoft, and Sony to use a Open/non-copyrighted Controller designs like how all Keyboards, and mouse in North America have 104 keys, the same keyboard and mouse layout, and work with different brands and operating systems for PC. I think using a standard controller design will make controllers cheaper because more companies can make controllers for consoles like how I can buy a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo for PC for $20-40 on eBay because there are many companies which make wireless keyboard and mouse, and many offline and online stores which sell them for low prices.

Sony and Microsoft would have a cow if the government forced them to do that. They want to keep things unique for their systems.

 

[froggyboy604]

I think, if the gamepad controllers are less unique, they would sell better because people can use their controllers with the same layout on both an Xbox, and Playstation. Gamers also don't need to learn a new controller layout.

You posted a video which is Gamers don't want Innovation , and I think many gamers don't want unique/innovative controllers, and just want a similar button layout on controllers, so they can pick up a game, and controller, and start playing the game without needing to get used to a new controller layout. One of the reasons the Kinect, PS3 Move, and Wii U tablet controller are not as popular is because they are too innovative/unique for the average gamer who just want simple controls.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

I think, if the gamepad controllers are less unique, they would sell better because people can use their controllers with the same layout on both an Xbox, and Playstation. Gamers also don't need to learn a new controller layout.

You posted a video which is Gamers don't want Innovation , and I think many gamers don't want unique/innovative controllers, and just want a similar button layout on controllers, so they can pick up a game, and controller, and start playing the game without needing to get used to a new controller layout. One of the reasons the Kinect, PS3 Move, and Wii U tablet controller are not as popular is because they are too innovative/unique for the average gamer who just want simple controls.

Hrmmm true, gamers don't want innovation but they need a controller they like to use. If companies were to use one controller they would have to outsource that work to another company. Which could create problems since the Xbox one controller had to be adjusted/fine tuned to work with titanfall.

 

[Enigma]

It's ridiculous how things are now. It used to be that they'd give you two controllers when you purchased a new console for the capability to play multi-player; but, it seems like a lot of them are aiming more at single player. Now you only get one controller and it's a battery whore. You go through like twice the old number in half the time. Not to mention that the new controllers are $40-60 now. That's not something I want to drop on a new controller.

 

[froggyboy604]

Hrmmm true, gamers don't want innovation but they need a controller they like to use. If companies were to use one controller they would have to outsource that work to another company. Which could create problems since the Xbox one controller had to be adjusted/fine tuned to work with titanfall.

I know with Mobile and PC games there is a way to change the sensitivity, and speed for keyboard, mouse, joysticks and gamepad controller, so making an Console controller App for controllers which let a gamers adjust/finetune the controller to their gaming style would work at making a controller gamers like to use for playing games.

 

[Royozo]

I think high-quality controllers should cost just as much as games. This is because the high quality controllers are durable and last longer than a video game would. Also, the controller is used a whole lot more than just one video game. 

 

[Soulwatcher]

There is no way a controller cost anywhere near $60 to make. It's how they make up for selling the consoles so cheap. Sony and Microsoft know they got you. If you want to play 2 players or if your controller breaks you have to buy from them or you cant play.

Greg

 

[Lix]

Considering how much it costs them to make them I understand they have to make something back from them however the amount the do make back from them is unbelievable. I do not believe controllers should cost as much as brand new games.

How much does it cost to make them then? I highly doubt it's very expensive to manufacture them...

They are definitely too expensive, but there's an obvious reason for that. We need controllers to play our games, so they can charge as much as they want, because we have to buy them either way, otherwise we can't play our games. It's the same reason that these vaccum-cleaner tubes cost a fortune to buy if you need to buy a new one (as in, you have to buy a new tube, but not an entire new vaccum cleaner. It's just a tube of plastic... Yet they charge a lot for those things. Why? Because we need them. As long as they are cheaper than buying a new vaccum cleaner, they can charge as much as they want for those things).

Of course, all prices needs to stay within reason, even if we need them a lot. But with the lack of competition between manufacturers (there aren't really any low-end and high-end controllers. They all cost the same, kind of - which is stupid if you ask me, but I guess they make more money that way) and the fact that you need one so much, is why it costs so much. I'm sure they made a lot of money just by controllers...

If you think about it, they probably don't make too much money from the consoles themselves after the first year of it's release, since after that: everyone who wanted it would have already bought it. But they can still earn money by people needing new controllers. So it's a way for them to earn more money after the release of the console. Just a theory, but it makes sense.