@mirage_so3 @Rigadoon Actually his job (which he is really good at) is to get a bunch of us into a blister posting comments to his articles and spiking page counts.
The service is continuing to add value over time. We'll continue to see integrations beyond those on the PS3 such as Verizon FIOS because the gold membership model supports those investments. My PS3 has effectively had the same crapware since it came out.
I love PC gaming, but PCs are easier targets for piracy. I don't see big gaming companies going back to PCs as a primary ecosystem regardless of Steam.
Microsoft charges a small fee for additional services neyond xbox live but you get real value for that money. That's hardly "exploiting people".
Now if they wanted to charge a fee for "Online chats for live events and shows, Early access to game guide PDF’s, and Fast HD movie downloads (720p)" that would be pretty lame.
Something I don't get is why Nintendo stays in the hardware business. With all of their great IP and existing franchises, why not become a software company?
@WCK619 Production costs figures into an argument for or against the used markets how? And even if they do, cars cost a lot more to design and produce then games. Yet there are a plethora of profitable automakers despite the used car market.
Just some observations. 1. Books have not only survived for eons but thrived (Amazon) despite the existence of used book stores. 2. It could be argued that all Gamestop is doing is capturing consumer demand from users who would otherwise pirate or not purchase. The root cause is software pricing which has always been done with fingers crossed and a crystal ball. 3. If two of the console makers add severe copy restrictions and the third does not, it will create an interesting dynamic between publishers and gamers.
Kid: Dad, I want a Vita! Dad: You mean that video game portable with the front and rear camera, that awesome OLED screen and a touch screen all for just \\$249! Kid: Yeah that one! Dad: You mean the thing just like the phone in my pocket? Kid: Well.. it's uh... Dad: How about you just play with Daddy's Phone? Kid: But the games... Dad: Oh does it have Mario? Or Zelda? Or Kirby? or Luigi? Kid: No, but it has RESIDENT EVIL! Dad: Eeeyah.. no. Here.. play some angry birds.
To the general public, I think they are both loosers. Core 2 with HT hyperthreading, extreme edition hold the mayo? AMD Athlod overclocked to 2.8 at 64+ wtf? Marketing matters. Many consumers are still waiting for the now never to be released Pentium 5. The real winner here? Apple.
Rigadoon's comments