June 29, 2009, 8:19 PM — Shacknews reports that the upcoming PC version of the downloadable multiplayer puzzle-platformer Trine, will have an "official" price of $40, while the Steam pre-orders are going for a discounted $30. Yet, if you have a PS3 and are looking for the most affordable price, the PlayStation Network is offering the game for $20.
While, many feel these prices for a downloadable game are pretty exorbitant, developer Frozenbyte argues that the games high production values are well worth the hefty price tag.
"Trine is far from a game created by a solo hero developer (we have over 20 employees and Trine has contributions from a double amount of people) ... we are very confident that we can deliver a full retail experience with Trine," said Frozenbyte's FB_Lauri in the company's official forum.
"I just don't find it fair to compare us to games which have started at similar or higher pricepoints," Lauri concluded. "It's very obvious Trine will eventually cost less, so I guess I just wanted to say that if the price hurts more than waiting, then that's the option."
As for the current difference in price tags, FB_Lauri seemed just as perplexed, but stated, "[pricing] guidelines are set by our publisher," adding "heck, even I don't know it."
Trine for the PC is slated to arrive via digital distribution and European retail on July 3, with Frozenbyte cautioning "if that fails, 10th of July." A boxed retail edition of Trine PC is also planned, and will arrive in North America later this summer via publisher SouthPeak, with Atlus planning a later downloadable Xbox 360 version.
As for the PlayStation Network edition, it doesn't have a solid release date as of yet, but the developer hopes for a release no later than July 9.
As mentioned above, Xbox plans to release the game on Xbox Live Arcade which will include online cooperative play, with FB_Lauri nothing that "it just wasn't possible to do" in the initial PC and PlayStation 3 editions, though it could be added later depending on sales performance and other factors.
If you have a hankering to see what the game is all about, you can download the PC demo of Trine from FileShack.
Check out full details at Shacknews
