The title kind of explains itself. Each generation, it takes more resources and effort (and thus money) to make a game. And why? Because the graphics have to be better, cutscènes have to be a more epic scale, standards on what makes a game 'good' are going up, mechanics have to be expanded on, testing takes more effort, and so on, and so on.
On consoles, there is also the "loss leader" principle. These things are sold at a loss, which is compensated for in the games (in effect: the games actually pay the console for you). Result: prices for games go up. Or, if not, expectations of sales go up (yeeey for milking out franchises).
That's only fine and dandy if the results are there too. And that's where things are starting to get iffy. With AAA-games like Tomb raider not breaking even despite selling 3.4 million copies, things aren't okay.
There obviously has to come an end to all this sooner or later. In order to actually sell games, they are usually starting to get discounts a few months after release (I saw bioshock infinite at nearly half price on steam the other day). And second hand sales start to make it very hard to motivate people to buy things at launch. And that's not even taking humble bundles, steam sales, PS+, giveaways and the lot into account. Let alone the shady/illegal means (which device DOESN'T play emulators these days?).
Hence this question: should these games be made on a tighter budget?
Before you answer, keep in mind that this goes two ways: companies either going to make a profit, or they're going to quit making games in the end. And that profit has to come from somewhere. If not from them cutting corners (in other words: smaller worlds or less levels), then from quality (it's HD...again) then it'll be from your wallet (a rumor of 80 bucks for a game?).
So...what's your opinion on this matter?
On consoles, there is also the "loss leader" principle. These things are sold at a loss, which is compensated for in the games (in effect: the games actually pay the console for you). Result: prices for games go up. Or, if not, expectations of sales go up (yeeey for milking out franchises).
That's only fine and dandy if the results are there too. And that's where things are starting to get iffy. With AAA-games like Tomb raider not breaking even despite selling 3.4 million copies, things aren't okay.
There obviously has to come an end to all this sooner or later. In order to actually sell games, they are usually starting to get discounts a few months after release (I saw bioshock infinite at nearly half price on steam the other day). And second hand sales start to make it very hard to motivate people to buy things at launch. And that's not even taking humble bundles, steam sales, PS+, giveaways and the lot into account. Let alone the shady/illegal means (which device DOESN'T play emulators these days?).
Hence this question: should these games be made on a tighter budget?
Before you answer, keep in mind that this goes two ways: companies either going to make a profit, or they're going to quit making games in the end. And that profit has to come from somewhere. If not from them cutting corners (in other words: smaller worlds or less levels), then from quality (it's HD...again) then it'll be from your wallet (a rumor of 80 bucks for a game?).
So...what's your opinion on this matter?