Just because it has two years left doesn't mean the next generation Microsoft console won't debute. When PS2 came out Sony was still actively promoting the original Playstation, and did the same when the PS3 came out. There is no reason why Microsoft cannot do the same.
I find it hilarious that in this day and age, companies are STILL competing against the book. It's amazing how the printed word still manages to stand up to even the newest technology. Not for long, but still, it's funny.
I am a 30 year old gamer. I don't remember Sony NOT doing gimmicks. Game companies have been doing gimmicks for years now, it's just that now it's more obvious than ever, because they're desperate and trying new things in an attempt to attracted new customers to the gaming market. I've been playing video games since I was 3, and I can honestly say I don't remember this not happening with any company. Atari, Nintendo, Sega, Sony, Microsoft...everyone is guilty.
In reality, who ISN'T going to buy this game? it's a sandbox game...and it's a GTA game, which in itself is instant classic status. The story is going to be amazing, because everyone knows that Rockstar uses all it's best writers for this series. The radio shows are going to be amazing (obv). Hopefully Lazlo makes a comeback...oh Lazlo, how you made my days more interestin...They're adding planes and it's the size of San Andreas...WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT, PEOPLE?
When are they going to announce the soundtrack? I'm sure it's going to be huge, as each iterations sound dwarfs the previous...although I still love Vice City's soundtrack above all.
If this game DOESN'T sell 14 million copies on release, will I be surprised? no, but will it sell more than 14 million copies overall? most definitely. Is Rockstar going to make an ASSTON of money on this game? MOST DEFINITELY.
Remember when everyone said the 16-bit era was "over" then games like Donkey Kong Country came out for the SNES and everyone was like "ZOMFG, THIZ R 16 BITZ?!" It's probably easier for developers to rely on raw system power than trying to be creative with programming to push a system. The games coming out now are still looking better and better. The last system that really milked it's graphical power was probably PS1, which still had games being released after PS2 and Xbox were released...it's just easier to move on to the next thing. Nothing is made to last anymore.
This just goes to show that people play bad games. There is nothing unique about this games or special about this game. The masses will doom us all to mediocrity with their horrible taste in everything. One day people will look back at games like this and movies like Transformers and realize how good we had it during the golden age and that these pieces of sh*t ruined the industry. STOP BUYING CRAP AND COMPANIES WILL STOP MAKING IT. BE PROACTIVE. RESEARCH FIRST. ASK QUESTIONS. DON'T BE A SHEEP!
It doesn't matter how cheap these companies sell their games for, if company X lowers the retail cost of their game to $10, then Gamestop will sell their used copy for $7.99. Game stores make huge margins on used games and companies see none of that money. lowering prices isn't going to solve the problem that is created from used games, which is that it reduces the revenue of companies that actually make the games. People don't work for free, and when the people making the games don't get paid ( the programmers, developers, people involved in the actually creation of the game, etc...) they stop making games, because they can no longer afford to do so. There's really only a handful of ways they could actively combat this to increase revenue:
1) Online codes, which activate a portion of the game. used games don't have this forcing people to buy additional content. companies make money back on their loss. People still feel burned by this method, and hold it against the game company, even though it would be directly implemented in response to actions of gaming retailers.
2) Hardware created specifically to only use new games, completely eliminating the used games market for users of this hardware. Leaves gamers feeling forced into buying new games, and while titles might get cheaper, people hate feeling like they have no choice.
3) Digital distribution, removing the brick and mortar retailer from the equation entirely. The game company could reduce cost significantly this way (no packaging, shipping cost eliminated, etc.) and the lower cost would result in more games sold.
If principles had anything to do with it, people would ONLY buy new. Buying new games shows support for your favorite developer. Buying used games only makes money for the retailer. People always want something for nothing, and they always want a deal, but programmers and designers can't work for free.
SuperDutchy's comments