Comparison of 1996 game and console prices to today.

[marley]

Shadow1980 said:

marley said:
Real income was higher then, which allowed people more discretionary spending. This would certainly make games seem cheaper. Inflation is only part of the picture.

You didn't see my post from a couple of pages back, did you? Well, let me show you the relevant graph:

Median household incomes in 2012 were actually about on par with those in 1996 when you adjust for inflation and now they're starting to go back up. Meanwhile, the price of games has declined a good bit since then and continues to decline every year $60 remains the standard.

There is parity between 1996 and 2012, but in 1996 the economy was surging which gives a different mindset about spending money.  In 2012 the economy was uncertain at best.    Between 2000 and 2012, median income for non-elderly households fell from $64,843 to $57,353, a decline of $7,490.  That is why people feel that games are more expensive now.  Imaging having $7,500 more dollars to spend....

I'm not saying prices should remain stagnant.   I'm just explaining consumer mindset that they are more expensive now than they were before.  Sure, if you just choose one year that was 18 years ago to compare with, you can find parity.  However, if you look at the last decade as a whole, you should easily be able to see why people think games are more expensive now.  People don't remember their spending power 18 years ago, but they do recognize that they have less now than they had just a few years ago.