Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

By now, I am sure that most have heard the word that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be hitting the PC at a $60 price point, similar to its console breathern.  Of course, the announcement of price started a big flame war on the web, with people siding up on the pro and con for this price point.

I spent a lot of time thinking over what my response to the price point would be, because it does directly affect me as I was looking to purchasing this title in November.  The Call of Duty franchise is still very strong and healthy on the PC side of the fence, and the multiplayer is probably better than the consoles once you try it.  Add in the inevitable mods and community fixes and you end up with a truly awesome online FPS experience.

But that said, I realized that this price point is a complete slap in the face to the PC gamer.  It is not so much because of the price point in question, because I would absolutely pay $60 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.  This title is an easy must have for all PC gamers, as it is full of great scripted moments, well optimized graphical engine and well polished gameplay mechanics.

The problem with the price comes more from the fact that I am being asked to pay the $60 price tag, while being treated as a second class gaming citizen.  We all know that the PC is not the gaming platform it once was, but the caviat is that games have stayed at the $30-50 price point on the platform. 

PC games also do not get the after sale support that a console title does when it comes to DLC and patching.  Saints Row 2 had three DLC packs for the consoles, but the PC release was lucky enough to get two patches that made the game stable.  But at a $40 price point, I knew I was probably getting less of a game.  Ghostbusters only cost me $30, but I ended up with half the game that the PS3 and 360 received, because PC gamers lost out on a co-op mode and online support.

Nothing shows me right now that Activision plans to give PC gamers any extra support for this title at the price point that console gamers will be paying.  There have been no announcements that the game would be using Games For Windows LIVE, so there will be no achievements.  And if the record is the same as it has been for Call of Duty: World at War, map packs will be delayed by a few weeks from the console to the PC.  And Activision has not stated whether map packs will still be free, or if there will be a cost associated with them.

I won’t say that Activision does not have the right to price their game at this price point, as it is their property to do with as they so please.  If they feel they can make money and sales at that price point so be it.  I do think it will boost piracy of the game, because their will be people that feel their rights have been infringed on at that price point, and they would only be hurting the cause they stand behind.  If you feel you are entitled to the $50 price point on this game, buy another title that is out for that price.  The NPD numbers will show the tale of the tape to Activision.  That is the only way that the company will know that PC gamers will not stand for being treated as a second class citizen at a higher price point is with users buying other titles.

It will suck to not be playing Modern Warfare 2 when it hits at launch, but unless Activision can send out concrete evidence that they are adding perks and features for our extra $10, then I will have to wait out for that inevitable sale on Steam.  Good luck Activision, and I hope the extra money works out for you, because you have only proven once again to PC gamers that Activision has no love for the platform.