video games

[Dobbin]

The smartest thing for Microsoft to do in the face of that would be to NOT make a limiting-factor for used games; precisely NO ONE will buy the PS4.

[Steve Lilley]

The PS3 is the perfect machine for my needs. It can do everything I want on the video game side, and allows me to play the franchises I like, and it's also not only a great Blu-ray player - it's probably one of the three best Blu-ray players on the market today.

My PS3 gets used every day, even if I don't play video games for a few weeks. If I had an Xbox 360, it would sit unused a lot, I think.

[Luke Erik]

The smartest thing for Microsoft to do in the face of that would be to NOT make a limiting-factor for used games; precisely NO ONE will buy the PS4.

Microsoft plans on doing the same.
Sony and Microsoft plan on using a similar business model that Steam uses, which as far as making extra profit goes isn't a bad idea. Saves money on all the cool shit I like such as the instruction manual, box, case, and actual game I can hold (not like I go around holding my games).

And soon our Sony Bravias will come with built in playstations where you can stream games with a 2-year subscription where the game remote only costs $79.95.  

[CrashlanderLOL]

My PS3 gets used every day, even if I don't play video games for a few weeks. If I had an Xbox 360, it would sit unused a lot, I think.

The latest Xbox update mangled Netflix and ruined the quality of video playback, no matter what file you play on it. I've switched to PS3 since then and the 360 is gathering dust.

Only problem with the PS3 is the insane system updates (practically every week) and the awful download speeds. Apparently Sony have an awful way of delivering data over their networks and that's why it's so slow.

You're all playing Journey, right? I haven't check the thread.

Play Journey.

[Dobbin]

Microsoft plans on doing the same.
Sony and Microsoft plan on using a similar business model that Steam uses, which as far as making extra profit goes isn't a bad idea. Saves money on all the cool shit I like such as the instruction manual, box, case, and actual game I can hold (not like I go around holding my games).

And soon our Sony Bravias will come with built in playstations where you can stream games with a 2-year subscription where the game remote only costs $79.95.  

I really think this is a bridge too far; it locks out SO many gamers under the age of 18 and discourages the semi-casual buyers, such that the engine to create new generations of gamers can be effectively destroyed. There's a churn that goes on, and it may well be that I'm just on one end of the churn, but this would stop me from getting any new console or games. I've kept current literally since Radio Shack TV Tennis (and still have most of the systems to prove it.) This would see me tapping out.

 I can't imagine I'm alone on that.

I hate the Steam model.

[Steve Lilley]

I completely forgot about using the PS3 as a media server, which I do constantly as well. I have a desktop PC that stays on 24/7 basically just to act as a hub for all my media files. I mean, I know the Xbox 360 can do this as well, but it's just another use I have for this glorious, glorious machine.

I don't have a problem with download speeds from the PlayStation Store at all. It could just be because I have FiOS, and FiOS kicks ass The only time there's ever a big issue is when something big like content drops happen for Modern Warfare 3 and everyone is trying to download the same thing at the same time.

I am annoyed that the Xbox 360 is getting an HBO GO app and the PS3, at least for right now, isn't. Words can't describe how badly I want that.

[Luke Erik]

I really think this is a bridge too far; it locks out SO many gamers under the age of 18 and discourages the semi-casual buyers, such that the engine to create new generations of gamers can be effectively destroyed.

Semi-casual gamers play games on their smart phones. The people who fuel GameStop sales usually aren't "gamers". The easier the access to games, the more people will purchase a game "for fun".

I'd rather have all of my games CIB, but I don't regret buying CONTRA Rebirth.   

[Dobbin]

Semi-casual gamers play games on their smart phones. The people who fuel GameStop sales usually aren't "gamers". The easier the access to games, the more people will purchase a game "for fun".

I'd rather have all of my games CIB, but I don't regret buying CONTRA Rebirth.   

When I go in to GS, it is a mix of hardcore nerds and little tiny kids (or confused parents of little tiny kids). And me.

[CrashlanderLOL]

I hate the Steam model.

Steam is awesome. So many games wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for Steam. Valve provided a solution to the huge problem of piracy on the PC while at the same time providing a platform for medium budget games that weren't being made by publishers any more.

What Sony and MS are talking about doing sounds a bit more insidious than just delivering games over the internet. They are creating a massive always-connected DRM system that benefits them and punishes customers. If someone buys a game and it won't let them play because their internet dropped out or someone used a code before them, there's going to be a shitstorm of such epic proportions I didn't think either console would recover. Plus there's a lot of talk in the industry about how used games powers the purchasing of new games, so they better be careful with that.

I think Nintendo might swoop in again and clean up with the Wii U.

[ScottE]

The PS3 is the perfect machine for my needs. It can do everything I want on the video game side, and allows me to play the franchises I like, and it's also not only a great Blu-ray player - it's probably one of the three best Blu-ray players on the market today.

My PS3 gets used every day, even if I don't play video games for a few weeks. If I had an Xbox 360, it would sit unused a lot, I think.

Same for me. I've never owned an Xbox or even played an Xbox or Xbox 360 game. All the franchises I like are on Nintendo and Playstation. But I don't think it's possible to say which console is definitively the best; I think the Wii is the best because I can play Mario and Zelda on it, but a lot of people would disagree with me.

[ScottE]

That being said, I probably play iPhone games more than I have any other console in the history of video games.

[Steve Lilley]

Also, and this is just totally personal preference, but I like the PS3 controller better. I like the two thumbsticks being next to each other, as opposed to the left one being slightly elevated. I can clean up in MODERN WARFARE 3 on the PS3, but when I tried to play it at a buddy's house a few weeks ago I got stomped because I just couldn't get used to it.

[Luke Erik]

Steam is awesome.

It really is. People who have a great rig and love games rarely leave Steam.

When I go in to GS, it is a mix of hardcore nerds and little tiny kids (or confused parents of little tiny kids). And me.

Exactly. The nerds don't buy any games, the kids and their Grandmothers buy Wii shovelware, and you forgot the main demographic: the brogamer. FPS, Madden, and to a lesser extent comic book themed games. I'm pretty sure these are the guys who have already preordered Madden 2013 and are the lifeblood of GS sales.

[Dobbin]

It really is. People who have a great rig and love games rarely leave Steam.

Exactly. The nerds don't buy any games, the kids and their Grandmothers buy Wii shovelware, and you forgot the main demographic: the brogamer. FPS, Madden, and to a lesser extent comic book themed games. I'm pretty sure these are the guys who have already preordered Madden 2013 and are the lifeblood of GS sales.

The nerds buy tons of games. They pre-order. But they're just the most enthusiastic, not the biggest bloc. There are a lot more kids and teens (i.e. parents buying for them) than there are people going in with their own money, it seems to me. Those buyers are going to be effectively locked out.

[Luke Erik]

Also, and this is just totally personal preference, but I like the PS3 controller better. I like the two thumbsticks being next to each other, as opposed to the left one being slightly elevated. I can clean up in MODERN WARFARE 3 on the PS3, but when I tried to play it at a buddy's house a few weeks ago I got stomped because I just couldn't get used to it.

That's because the 360's d-pad is an idiot. So is the oxboxs'.

Nothing wrong with the Dual Shock's d-pad, but to this day I think the Genesis d-pad is more responsive. Earthworm Jim's Level 5 has a part where you literally have to be able to shoot in eight different directions at any given second. No way could I pull that off with a 360 d-pad.