No doubt about it, the GTA series was given new life with GTA III. I purchased a PS2 because of it and there were relatively few gripes about this game. I can thank this game for my high expectation of games today. Looking forward to IV.

$50 for one year is too expensive for great online capabilities? That's less than $5 per month..... and can be used for all games that have a multiplayer or online functionality..... I don't really think that's expensive, I think people just like to complain.... I think it's a great deal

It's a shame that all the reasons discussed above is why I'm happy with my X360 and haven't considered buying a PS3. I don't want to be a guinea pig a second time, as X360 certainly tried my patience, first for not being in ample supply, and secondly, not having enough games to warrant spending $60 on. But now, Sony wants me to purchase their supposedly superior system? What makes a system superior? Is it the processing and graphics capabilities? Or is it the ability to appeal to a broad audience (Wii is on top, 360 is trying with Viva Pinata and arcade live, and well Sony... i don't quite know)? Or is it customer support and excellent online capabilities (By far, X360 is on top, as I can prove with my personal experiences, PS3 doesn't seem like it's quite there but it's too early yet...., and Wii.... I guess Nintendo doesn't care for the online portion yet. I for one think that a superb combination of all these aspects are important, but there is something that most people don't realize is a part of the dynamics of achieving these goals... mistakes and improving. They need us as guinea pigs. They need our feedback. I will give Sony a chance, after I am convinced that PS3 can match what the X360 does for me, and it's going to take more than great graphics and the Cell architecture to get me going. But, Sony can do it.

Personally, I think backwards compatibility is a priviledge, not a right. Therefore, although it is a gigantic disappointment to Europeans and Australasians, it is perhaps in the best interest of Sony to forego efforts on compatibility to focus on the here-and-now PS3 efforts. I believe that people should be patient and look for quality PS3 games (I only own a X360 at the moment, so I'm not blowing smoke here...) in the near-future. I will buy a PS3 for the good games that it currently plays, not what old games it can play. If Sony doesn't focus on quality games for its current console, backwards compatibility will be a moot point in the future.......