Console Makers Pushing For More Network Reliance

There's a story on Joystiq about the convergence of games consoles and network play, suggesting that the industry is slowly moving away from physical media, preferring the control and simplicity of online distribution. The article points out that Microsoft's Games for Windows Live, despite being relatively unpopular, has seen continued development with an eye toward interacting with Xbox Live. Quoting: "While it's unlikely that the next generation of consoles will completely forgo disc-based media, downloads are quickly becoming a much bigger part of the experience. Some games, such as Rock Band 2 and Gears of War 2, are now shipping with codes for free downloads. This isn't because the publishers like you and want to give you free stuff. It's part of a larger strategy to increase the importance of the online presence, where content can be tightly controlled and decrease the importance of physical media, and thus, used-game sales and rentals."

Comments

Arrrr

[Anonymous Coward]

Plus, any online connection forces you to have a legal purchased copy. But that's not part of it at all :)

Preferring

[Anonymous Coward]

the control and simplicity of online distribution.
control and simplicity of online distribution.
control and simplicity
control

They are LYING.

[Lumpy]

They want internet connected and online distribution for two main reasons.

1 - it instantly KILLS the secondhand game market. you can no longer buy used games, this drives the price of old games back up to retail levels. no more buying Gears of War for $12.99 used at the local EB or on ebay.

2 - it eliminates 60% of the cost of a game. Packaging and distribution.

Game prices will stay the same or go up, your Quality of gaming will go down, and you can no longer buy used games or rent games to try them out.

That is their goal, everything else is pure BS to make the consumer have buy-in to their plans to screw you over.