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Kalypso Media have announced something quite lovely. Since they're doing so well, they've decided that going forward they will be charging less for new and existing games.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a shift to digital games instead of boxes copies and sales of their developed and published games doing so well they've now set a price-point for all future new PC releases at €39.99 / $39.99 / £34.99.

"We have been able to increase our digital sales and, above all, margins in recent months, while physical sales in traditional retail have slumped due to the COVID-19 situation. Currently, we do not expect this trend to reverse even after the pandemic. Most of our fans buy or stream games, primarily, digitally, so it is very likely that sales of physical products will continue to decline, saving us costs in manufacturing, logistics and distribution," said Simon Hellwig, CEO of Kalypso.

They've already dropped the price of the recent Spacebase Startopia to match their new pricing plan, and they've gone back and done the same for Tropico 6 too. So at least with future games published by Kalypso, you know what they're going to cost you.

Would be nice to see more developers of bigger games do this, once they reach a certain stage of profit to reduce the cost of their games overall. Saying that though, even games less than a year old end up with huge discounts through the great many sales across the likes of Steam, GOG and Humble. Some even end up in a Humble Bundle for next to nothing.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Misc
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17 comments
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scaine Jun 15, 2021
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Good guy Kalypso!

I only have a handful of their games, but I'm keeping my eye on Spacebase Startopia!

https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/kalypso


Last edited by scaine on 15 June 2021 at 1:42 pm UTC
whatever Jun 15, 2021
In a market pushing for 70$/€ per game this is so unusual and uncapitalistic (they can do this only because they're privately owned).

Kudos to them!
slaapliedje Jun 15, 2021
Holy shit, this is awesome. I've actually had a lot of respect for Kalypso over the years. I mean they occasionally do release games that I wouldn't be really interested in, but they are one of the better supports of Linux (between them and Paradox and Beamdog, they're continually looking out for us). The Tropico games are hilarious and fun.

For them to be like 'hey, we're doing great, gonna pass our success onto our fans' is something that ALL game companies really should look at and follow. For too long gamers have been charged more and more for games. Hell, with zero day DLC, the publishers have figured out a way to charge hundreds of dollars for a new game.
Termy Jun 15, 2021
Quoting: barottothey can do this only because they're privately owned

the same goes for valve with their Linux-endeavours - the whole stock market system is bad for the companies in the end as long as gamblers and "investors" are that prevalent.

But kudos indeed to calypso!
MisterPaytwick Jun 15, 2021
I tought I was done with Kalypso because of past experience.

Well, guess I'll add it back to my list of companies I can buy from.
Arehandoro Jun 15, 2021
To celebrate it, I'm going to find one of their games and buy it. Awesome idea, Kalypso!
Felix Jun 16, 2021
Surely this must be a mistake!
Necessities of modern game development demand game be priced at 99.99$! EA told me so!
[/sarcasm]
slaapliedje Jun 16, 2021
Quoting: MisterPaytwickI tought I was done with Kalypso because of past experience.

Well, guess I'll add it back to my list of companies I can buy from.
I only remember that they didn't release Urban Empires (I think that was the game) for Linux. But reviews for it were not kind...
Eike Jun 16, 2021
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Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MisterPaytwickI tought I was done with Kalypso because of past experience.

Well, guess I'll add it back to my list of companies I can buy from.
I only remember that they didn't release Urban Empires (I think that was the game) for Linux. But reviews for it were not kind...

So they actually spared us this one? ;-)
Appelsin Jun 16, 2021
Quoting: FelixSurely this must be a mistake!
Necessities of modern game development demand game be priced at 99.99$! EA told me so!
[/sarcasm]

Yes, very true, because it's so expensive to make games now, and they barely make a profit. Really, the Gaming Industry have been very kind——altruistic, almost——to allow us to buy the Basic Buy-2-Pay Experience at the low cost of ~60 USD, with Optional(TM) additional upgrades for the full experience, aka DLC and Season Pass, plus let us support the continued development and server costs via loot boxes Surprise Mechanics(TM) or Fun Presents(TM). Not to mention letting us bypass gindy gameplay elements (in both single- and multiplayer games) by allowing us to purchase TimeSavers(TM), as made famous by Assassin's Creed Origins and Odyssey.

This is all to say that Kalypso Media must be wrong. It's nearly impossible to turn a profit making video games! There's an entire army of poor, almost destitue, Gaming Industry CEOs ready to back up this laboratory-proven fact of science and life and economics!

(/sarcasm, if that wasn't obvious)

On a serious note, good move by Kalypso. This is a good move, both for PR and to gain goodwill among players, not to mention a great way to stand out in a good way 🥳


Last edited by Appelsin on 16 June 2021 at 8:26 am UTC
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