Granted, most of us have more disposable income then we did when we were kids, but even then the concept of gaming is changing quite a bit. It used to be just consoles: nothing more or less. However, the main point for home consoles was to create a device that is not as expensive as a PC and could play games without the hassle of upgrading just to play something. Now look at the market: A multimedia war. Consoles are slowly turning into media centers. Now it is fine to have a DVD player, but all the extra crap? PS3 has shown that the concept of "not upgrading" is slowly dying, with the $500 model excluding most of the bells & whistles ALA the PC market. It is no longer about gaming, but the ability to be able to do the "most things" between the PS3 and 360. Instead of spending more time focusing on being able to play the games more smoothly, we are instead forced to pay for formats that may not even benifit us that much at all (Blu Ray). Then, there is the price. 360 has $400 for their deluxe package and $50-60 per game (Sorry PAL regions, you get raped with this sort of stuff). Even now, I can't afford to go out every time a game comes out that I have interest in. With games only increasing in graphics and not actual gameplay, I no longer see a reason to shell out $60 just so I can play a 10 hour singleplayer game with no multiplayer or unlockables (Which is where renting comes in). Even more so with the PS3: $600 (The price for a semi decent PC, I might add) for the complete package, and rumors of $60-80 games just KILL any chance that I could afford multiplatform games on the PS3. It really is interesting how things are changing. Personally, I want to see how many consumers will ACTUALLY take advantage of these features of these so called "multimedia" game consoles. Gaming will not change: there will still be shit liscensing games with various concepts that should never have been used in the first place for the sake of gaming (Urban themes, etc), sequels will continue to go downhill and some may innovate, while lesser game companies will die out due to the cost of all of it. It amazes me how standard our field has become.
I think many will use the multimedia abilities of the new consoles. They are all upgradeable via software so I expect the possibilities to grow in the future too... I love the idea of being able to network my game system and play Xvid movies, mp3s, connect to the web etc. The problem with multimedia aspects is not the idea it's self but rather the implementation. I mean, who can actually tell me of a console where you can comfortable use the internet? You guys need to remember that you are very much 'purists'. Most other people see that as value for money. It's a nice idea only having one box beneath your TV, being able to play a game, watch a movie or check you email all from your couch.
minding not to have something is one thing, but paying extra because of it is another. If a console can play games and can still play audio CDs, movies and multimedia (assuming it uses standardized memory card formats) and all those components cost a certain price, it is within that price only that the cost of "do-it-all" can be justified.
The only problem I see with that is the general use of it: What is the point when you have a computer that could do all those things listed besides play the console exclusive games when it is in the same room?
Exactly. I have a PC. It does all the PC things I need it to. There is no need for me to buy a £425 piece of kit if I'm already covered on the majority of the functionality it represents. I'm fine paying money for good games. I do not want to pay for things I already own. I do not need a browser, an operating system, I don't even need a hi-def movie player to be honest. I just want decent games. I resent paying money for shit I won't use, for years to come, if ever.
IMO, being picky is a good thing. I've been more careful about which 360 games I buy, and I spend more time on them versus how things were back in the DC "buy a ton of bargain bin games for $50" days. It was always this way when the NES was in its prime, and I look back to that era fondly. Why? Because you gained more appreciation for each game you acquired, spending the time to fully master your games. Not like PS2 fanboys who tear through games just to finish them as quickly as possible...
"IMO, being picky is a good thing. I've been more careful about which 360 games I buy, and I spend more time on them versus how things were back in the DC "buy a ton of bargain bin games for $50" days. It was always this way when the NES was in its prime, and I look back to that era fondly. Why? Because you gained more appreciation for each game you acquired, spending the time to fully master your games. Not like PS2 fanboys who tear through games just to finish them as quickly as possible..." Don't I know it! I honestly don't think I've paid $50 for a game ever in my life. That is, I've either bought used, bargain, received as a gift, or borrowed from my brothers. When I was younger, I certainly didn't have the money to buy anything expensive, let alone a game. I remember pleading to my parents to rent me Kirby Super Star five or six times back in the day.. That was the funnest game in my life to that point. Each time I had it, I ripped through it as fast I could, but I also took my time and found as many secrets as I could. There was plenty of replay for me just finding everything for 100%. Nowadays, I can't really play the game anymore... I burned it out! (Along with you, Super Mario 64.) But, such games achieve 'legendary status' in my mind and are aptly recommended for future generations to experience. While a DVD player in my Wii is a plus, I would rather have a feature filled DVD player that does DIVX, Jpegs, etc than the "limited" playback console-bundled DVD players have. Then again, I'd probably just be fine with DVD playback in the first place, in which case, I'd go ahead and pay for the dongle. If it means Ninty doesn't have to eat $20 just to include something you or I may not use, then I won't bitch. I have about $52 scrounged up right now for a Wii. Considering I'll need ~$400 for the unit + componentcable + two games, I have a lot of saving to do. But it won't dent me as much as saving for a PS3 with the same configuration would be. Then again, I lorve Ninty and I'm sure if I loved Sony the same way, then I would bite the bullet and save up for the same experience. Only now, it isn't the same experience to me. Then again, I voluntarily shied away from "mature" games as a kid and it's somewhat carried on to now. Max Payne 2 is an interesting game, for example, but give me Survival Project or SSB Melee anyday. Thank ye.
I used to buy every game that even remotly interested me. I ended up with stacks uppon stacks of games that never ended up even getting opened eventualy. But after about 1.5 years of doing that i've finally gotten over it, and now I only buy if it interests me greatly, and i'm spending much of my free time being productive (learning various programs that I feel will be good for my resume) instead of spending it average games. I also don't 'buy' games anymore, I just trade in ones from my bloated collection instead.
i have to put a statutory ban on myself regarding buying new games. I have games I have promised myself to complete since 1994. (Including many PC adventure games and other PC games).
