Quantum Break on Steam is cheaper than on Windows Store
Quantum Break, Remedy Entertainment's latest blockbuster title for PC and Xbox is now also available on Steam.
Microsoft released the game exclusively for Xbox One and Windows Store when it first came out. This meant among other things that gamers could only play the game on PCs if they ran Windows 10, Microsoft's latest operating system.
Veteran gamers remembered how a similar strategy backfired big time during the Vista era where Microsoft limited new DirectX versions and some games to the platform.
Not all was bad though. Gamers who purchased Quantum Break could play it both on Xbox One and PC, if they had both systems at their disposal.
Microsoft did announce back then that it would bring select games to other platforms on PC later on.
If you have opened Steam today, you may have noticed that Quantum Break is now available on Steam. The game is therefore officially available for pre-Windows 10 PCs if you purchase the Steam version.
Update: The price of Quantum Break on Steam and Windows Store is identical. It is available for $39.99 in the US, and €36.99 in Europe.
If you compare the price of the game on Steam with the Windows Store price, you will notice that the Steam version is cheaper.
The Steam version of Quantum Break is available for €36.99 while the Windows Store version is available for €39.99 currently. Quantum Break: Timeless Collector's Edition for PC will also be made available through retail channels for the price of €39.99.
The big question is why it is cheaper on Steam. Microsoft makes no mention of price or even that Quantum Break is now available for purchase on Steam.
There are two possible explanations for the price difference. First, while the Windows Store / Xbox version allows for play on both Xbox One and PC, the Steam version does not.
Second, the release of the retail version as a collector's edition for €39.99 that includes the usual collectible stuff such as a making of book and disc, and soundtrack CD, would probably torpedo online sales big time if offered for the same price.
It is still unclear why Microsoft does not reduce the price of Quantum Break on Windows Store to the same price as on Steam. Maybe that is going to happen in the future, but if the company wants gamers to use Windows Store as their primary destination for games, it is doing a bad job at convincing them to do so.
Time exclusivity may work for the "got to have it first" crowd, but anyone else may be better of waiting for the Steam release or the retail release of highly anticipated games (because cheaper or more stuff).
On a personal note: I stopped buying PC games when they are released, to buy them later on. I have a couple of reasons for that including price but also state of the game. Most games require patches before they work well, and if you buy a game on first day of release, chance is high that you will encounter bugs and issues that get fixed down the line. Also, if it is multiplayer, you won't experience the first day or week rush that may impact server performance or even accessibility.
Now You: Why do you thing is Quantum Break cheaper on Steam, and is Microsoft doing itself a disservice?
its on sale on steam now
Funny thing about this game, you need internet connection to “stream” videos in game and I don’t see that mentioned on steam’s store page.
This game could have sold way more if it was launched on ps4 too.
I really like remedy games, but I cannot fathom why the hell they make these deals with microsoft.
or you buy the game on a half legit keystore and you will pay about 28 euros.
Because it sells far more copies on Steam vs the crappy Windows Store. Android apps that are free or way cheaper are also overpriced on Windows Store.
But I doubt it will sell more copies than for Xbox One. From a strategic point of view, it would make sense to adjust the price on Windows Store to make the store offering more attractive than it is right now.
“it would make sense…”
Just to remind you @martin that you are talking about Microsoft…
Sense ≠M$ ;-)