How many of those games initially retailed at $20? If you're arguing that there are good budget games out there, nobody will disagree, but what you're basically saying is that if we wait a year these $60 will be much cheaper. That seems kind of obvious.
In any case, we don't really know how much it costs to make these games and get them to the shelves, so it's hard for us to criticize the pricing. It's also hard to say that they'd make more money if they lowered the price; if they lower the price by 15% but only pick up 8% more sales, they're certainly not making more money. There's a simple solution if you're not happy with the prices: don't buy the games. Your wallet is the strongest voice you can use with these companies. Either skip them over and play some of the cheap titles Steve mentions above, or start renting. $25 at Gamefly gets you at least 4 games a month, depending on how fast you play them. Maybe more.
In any case, we don't really know how much it costs to make these games and get them to the shelves, so it's hard for us to criticize the pricing. It's also hard to say that they'd make more money if they lowered the price; if they lower the price by 15% but only pick up 8% more sales, they're certainly not making more money. There's a simple solution if you're not happy with the prices: don't buy the games. Your wallet is the strongest voice you can use with these companies. Either skip them over and play some of the cheap titles Steve mentions above, or start renting. $25 at Gamefly gets you at least 4 games a month, depending on how fast you play them. Maybe more.