Days Gone Director John Garvin Says Gamers Should Pay Full Price

I'm curious about everyone's thoughts on what Days Gone director John Garvin had to say on David Jaffe's YouTube show.

Garvin seemed annoyed with gamers who maybe want a sequel to a newer game or IP, such as Days Gone, but don't want to pay full price. He also sounded annoyed by gamers buying a game on sale or through PS Plus.

The reason his comments annoy me is that PS Plus is not free. PS Plus is a subscription service. Anyone who has PS Plus is paying for that service. So "free" games on PS Plus are technically not free.

Also, what is wrong with buying a game on sale or for a discount anyway?

This Slogging thread by JeffreyHarris, Limarc Ambalina, Jack Boreham and Jose Hernandez occurred in slogging's official #gaming channel, and has been edited for readability.

JeffreyHarrisApr 29, 2021, 1:40 PM

Games are expensive, and we are also in a very challenging global pandemic. There is nothing wrong with consumers being thrifty or cautious with their finances or money. Not to mention, game developers are blatantly delivering broken or unfinished AAA games to consumers are launch. I found Garvin's attitude frustrating. I can understand his own frustrations as a developer and creating a new IP that didn't hit a homerun or have the biggest launch out of the gate. But I also think his comments are unfair in today's marketplace when you see the flaws of various major game releases.

JeffreyHarrisApr 29, 2021, 1:46 PM

See this article for reference on John Garvin's comments: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/days-gone-lead-says-dont-complain-if-theres-no-sequel-if-you-didnt-buy-it-full-price/

Limarc AmbalinaMay 1, 2021, 2:36 PM

I read the quote and it's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. IF you don't want gamers to buy the game on sale, don't put it on sale.

Can you imagine walking into a restaurant and buying their special and being yelled at for not paying full price?

Limarc AmbalinaMay 1, 2021, 2:37 PM

Or am I missing something here and it was put on sale without his approval?

JeffreyHarrisMay 3, 2021, 12:55 AM

I don't think developers would have much say in that anyway. But it's not gamers' fault for buying a game for a discount that's made available for the publisher. But yeah, being angry at consumers for taking advantage of discounted sales or low prices for a game is not a good look. Especially when video games tend to be very expensive brand-new.

JeffreyHarrisMay 3, 2021, 12:56 AM

Also, I think Days Gone was made available as part of a PlayStation Plus selection, but PlayStation Plus is a paid service anyway. So it's not exactly games that are "free-free."

Jack BorehamMay 4, 2021, 4:26 PM

Yeah, that isn't very pleasant. The PS plus isn't free, as you said, and all that revenue PlayStation gets from the service goes back into its first-party titles such as Days Gone. Days gone wasn't the hit he wanted, but there's no good being angry at consumers. Our money gives PS studios the ability to experiment with new IP such as days gone.

JeffreyHarrisMay 5, 2021, 1:27 AM

Thanks for your comments Jack. Very good points.

Jose HernandezMay 5, 2021, 8:32 PM

I think games being on discount would help them. I rarely buy games at full price, and I’m more inclined to buy new games when they’re on sale. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that sentiment

Limarc AmbalinaMay 6, 2021, 2:57 AM

Oh my friend you are far from alone. And I have 0 reservations about it. I pride myself on being thrifty and by doing so we are just following the rules of capitalism.

When Final Fantasy 7 Remake dropped. I knew 500% in my soul that just like every final fantasy game from the PlayStation 2 and onwards, it would be mass produced, not be a rare game, and eventually the price would drop.

IF you're at a point in your life where your backlog is so long that you'll always have more video games to play than time available, why rush out and buy a game for $90 if you know that by waiting a year it'll be down to $40, $30 or eventually $20?

JeffreyHarrisMay 6, 2021, 7:09 AM

No one should ever feel obligated to buy games at full price, especially if money is tight and you are on a budget.