The problem with the "vehicle for delivery" is that there is no widespread pirate market for that platform so they are functioning without crack competition. Do you truly believe people wouldn't be stealing Angry Birds just b/c it's only $1? Certainly iTunes music hasn't enjoyed that flawless victory.
You don't need to explain the concept of supply and demand. Many audio software makers (including waves coincidently) have done quite well off of periodic major sales. But, the fact that you're a diligent shopper and that people want bargains doesn't change the fact that the retailers and manufacturers get to dictate the prices and they'll either go out of business or succeed based on their choices. In fact, many of the things you are citing are only perceived as bargains b/c the price is "low" relative to a generally understood value created by the market (and mrsp and avg street prices). It's hard to imagine that these major software companies don't have MBA's sitting around all day determining the ideal prices based on the market, dev cost, and demand.
Your last statement though is utter conjecture which hasn't been born out in the digital market. If you want proof think about how many people use reaper vs the number paid.
FWIW, if Waves sold the Mercury bundle at 75% off the current MSRP it would still be $1500 and these guys still wouldn't buy it. You're projecting your honest frugality onto them and it just isn't the case.
1. There is much widespread piracy of the app store, all it takes is a jailbreak and an install of Hackulous. Then, 1 tap app downloads galore. Hell, even the piracy delivery system is 10x better than hitting thepirate bay, grabbing a torrent + torrent client and waiting for that thing that might be virus free
. The apple platform IS closed, but the people have created an alternate by means of bypassing security with jailbreaks - Cydia store for example.
I actually did read an article a few days ago about a particular developer that had sold roughly ~1000 odd copies of his application, making it relatively new. He then received stats on how many users were using it in the game centrer (some sort of social gaming network hub), and it was about 5000 odd users if I remember correctly. And this is just one example. Piracy IS widespread on the appstore, but most people wouldn't go looking for that information. I'll provide a link if I can locate the article. I think the game was fairly cheap, but this is proof enough that ~4000 people are fucking cheapskates regardless, and will continue to pirate regardless of price, no argument there. Proof enough. I can guarantee though, that when the guy DOES have a sale more copies will be sold, and when he DOES reduce his price permanently, it will sell more.
Working in a software development/testing environment myself for a financial institution (and having friends that also work in similar fields), I can tell you right now - it's always a case of what we think the market will stomach = your willingness to pay out the ass until you turn white. Every time a bank charges you a "fee" for processing, that's a crock of shit but it started somewhere for very cheap and made its way up. Every time you buy a ticket to a gig/movie, you get charged a processing fee, booking fee or some other well thought out fisting - more shit. This has become the norm and people are more willing to accept it. Those that don't will sneak into the movie, jump the fence or hide their monies in the bottom sock drawer. Those people will always exist. And
then, some people are just nice about asking how deep you're willing to dig: i.e: Ermz's eBook.
2. We can talk all day about perception, but in my example, the shirts are are made from egyptian cotton, not your run-of-the-mill K-Mart branded cheapo-blend, $30 super saver stuff. They ARE of a higher quality than most other shirts out there, and definitely do last longer -- as witnessed by my colleagues and I. Same goes for their other range of clothes. You cannot buy this sort of stuff cheaper anywhere else (in Australia at least), without taking a dive in quality for a cheaper product. Sort of like our computer parts mogul, MSY. They have dirt cheap hardware and very rarely do you find another retailer that has the same product but at a cheaper price. The masses line up at these sorts of stores not for the service (because there is
none), but for the prices. Anyone familiar with these guys would happily back that up.
I like to think most people can understand the concept of 'value' and what a true rip off really is. But there are different facets of value. If you buy a Lexus, you're paying a bit of a premium over a Ford for the extra niceties. Both cars will still get you there from A to B. If you buy a Ferrari, you're pretty much buying it for the penis extension, ability to do 300km/h in a 50 zone while nobody is looking, or you have bottomless pockets. You'll still get from A to B, but having people stare at you/bragging rights is 'value' to some. It becomes a slippery slope at that point.
The argument here is not about retailers dictating prices, but consumer willingness to pay X dollars for X product. Lower the bar to something
reasonable and the people will come. I asked around at work, and the only response I got back was "hell yeah, if Microsoft lowered the price on a copy of Office 2011 to say $50 a pop, I'd totally do it. OpenOffice or cracked copy of 2k11 otherwise". Over a sample of 5 people, the most common reasons were:
- It's much more reasonable than $200 for a single license
- Don't have to screw around with cd keys/cracks, need for IT geek help
- Time/cost factor reduced greatly
- Willing to pay it as alternatives aren't almost as good
A family member recently purchased a 3 version home edition license for $150. They now enjoy a trouble free experience on all 3 laptops. 5 years ago all I heard was "What the fuck, $495 for a standard copy of office? Bullshit. Download me a copy instead, please". Thankfully, I dont waste my time with that shit anymore
3. Not sure how it classifies as conjecture. Don't know much about reaper, so cant comment there - I'm a Studio One user. There is so much shit out there that I could get right now if I had a need/purpose for. Tell me:
Easier to pinch an SSL desk located in somebody else's studio, behind lock and key.
OR
Easier to hit the pirate bay and load up a torrent for an SSL plugin?
I'd bet my left nut that more people on this board would have a copied plugin than compared to those with a stolen console
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At the end of the day, piracy will
always exist. I do not offer a solution for removing it entirely, nor do I offer justification for doing it. I personally perceive a lot of software to be expensive, and lowering price is one good way to decrease the amount of piracy. There are those that WILL pirate regardless, those that will SAMPLE before they jump and those that will buy it first up. I know examples of all of these people on these forums personally. I do however, offer developers an alternative to increasing time spent copy protecting their wares and having their shit inevitably stolen. Lower your prices. Plenty of other real world examples where this theory works and the only hindrance is peoples' willingness to take that leap.
