Sony's Next-Generation Portable Is Out, In Japan

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Sony's Next-Generation Portable Is Out, In Japan

Posted by timothy on Saturday December 17, 2011 @11:53PM from the people-used-to-wait-in-line-for-concerts dept.

A few months before it's due to arrive in the U.S., Sony's PlayStation Vita, successor to the PlayStation Portable, has been released in Japan. Says the linked Associated Press article: "For the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment giant, the Vita is the biggest product launch since the PlayStation 3 console five years ago. It's also accompanied by two dozen software products — the largest number of launch titles in PlayStation history. The Vita has front and back cameras, a touchscreen in front, a touch pad on the back and two knob-like joysticks. It will enable gamers to play against each other using PlayStation 3 consoles over the Internet-based PlayStation Network, a system that was hit with a massive hacking attack earlier this year."

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Simple "will I buy it" test. by pecosdave · 2011-12-17 23:54 · Score: 3, Interesting

There's a simple test I put electronics through before I buy them - it reads something like this:
Does it need a data port?
Y - Go to next step
N - Star weighing other details
Does it have a Micro USB port?
Y - Star weighing other details
N - Go to next step.
Does it have a Mini USB port?
Y - Star weighing other details
N - Go to next step.
Does it have a Full sized USB port?
Y - Star weighing other details
N - Go to next step.
Does it have a six pin Firewire port?
Y - Star weighing other details
N - Go to next step.
Does it have a four pin Fiewire port?
Y - Star weighing other details
N - DON'T BUY THE DAMNED THING
Playstation Vita fails this simple test. It's also why I passed on the Galaxy Tab. I really don't need to carry any more cables with me.

--
The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
1. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 00:02 · Score: 0
  
  Geek or not, if the price is right you WILL buy it.
2. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Nursie · 2011-12-18 00:06 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Why?
  It could cost $5 and I wouldn't buy it because it comes stamped with 'Sony' on the front. Screw that and screw them.
  On top of which there's a whole new proprietary memory card format! Hooray!
3. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 00:07 · Score: 0
  
  Does it need a data port?
  ...
  
  Playstation Vita fails this simple test. It's also why I passed on the Galaxy Tab. I really don't need to carry any more cables with me.
  I'd have said N there. You got wifi, bluetooth and optionally 3G, no need to plug it anywhere else.
4. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 00:23 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  You forgot one step:
  Is it a SONY product? Y - move along, nothing to see here.
  
  (Sorry, but it has not been long enough to forget the last screw up.)
5. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by pecosdave · 2011-12-18 00:32 · Score: 1
  
  You still have to charge it somehow.
  I might make an exception for a simple round connection like the PSP-2000 had, but not for a "multi-use port".
  
  --
  The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
6. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Trepidity · 2011-12-18 00:34 · Score: 1
  
  As a programmer, something about the way this conditional logic is specified makes me twitch.
  
  --
  10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
7. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 00:43 · Score: 0
  
  Why?
  It looks like a simple case statement to me.
8. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by thegarbz · 2011-12-18 00:49 · Score: 1
  
  It looks like a simple case statement to me.
  Are those rose coloured glasses or can you not tell good code from a bad?
9. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Bobakitoo · 2011-12-18 00:51 · Score: 1
  
  Why? It looks like a simple case statement to me.
  Fall-through switch is so taboo!
10. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by pecosdave · 2011-12-18 00:54 · Score: 1
  
  Can't make a flow chart on Slashdot.......
  
  --
  The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
11. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by PopeRatzo · 2011-12-18 01:06 · Score: 1
  
  It could cost $5 and I wouldn't buy it because it comes stamped with 'Sony' on the front. Screw that and screw them.
  I've thought about that.
  I've decided that if it cost $5 I would buy it, but only if the original, MSRP was > $250.
  I would buy it as celebration of a small victory. Perhaps hang it on my wall.
  
  --
  You are welcome on my lawn.
12. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 01:22 · Score: 0
  
  Why?
  It looks like a simple case statement to me.
  Fall-through switch is so taboo!
  Who says?
  One of your CS professors? Did he also say GOTOs were "bad" too?
  If you put 10 different CS professors in a room and ask them how to implement something, you'll get 11 different opinions.
  I see waaayyyy too many times software that has a huge footprint and slower than molasses on a February Toronto morning because someone had to code it the "right" way.
  It's good software if: it works as designed, it's easily maintained, and it's efficient. Everything else is just opinion and ego.
13. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by cheekyjohnson · 2011-12-18 01:24 · Score: 1
  
  Everything else is just opinion
  Even the fact that it's "good" software!
  
  --
  Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
14. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Lumpy · 2011-12-18 01:34 · Score: 1
  
  No I wont. It's why the PSP Go was a utter failure and people bought older PSP's or switched to the DS.
  Sony is doing stupid things, people DONT WANT Download only games because they like selling them used. Battlefield 3 had a HUGE used turn in when MW3 came out.
  Sony hates used game sales. Sony hates gamers.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
15. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Lumpy · 2011-12-18 01:36 · Score: 1
  
  So it works on magical air charging?
  USB charge port or it is a complete FAIL.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
16. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Lumpy · 2011-12-18 01:38 · Score: 2
  
  And anyone that has programmed robotics knows that only the newbies don't put in a fall through switch. Failure to use those will = damaged hardware or death to someone.
  you ALWAYS do a fall through safety.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
17. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 01:39 · Score: 0
  
  Because you totally need a firewire port on a portable gaming console? What the hell?
18. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Megane · 2011-12-18 01:46 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  As a programmer, something about the way this conditional logic is specified makes me twitch.
  It's s/star/start/g that makes me twitch. If you're going to copy and paste something six times, you could at least notice that you've left a letter off.
  
  --
  #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
19. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by pecosdave · 2011-12-18 01:53 · Score: 1
  
  It's a data interface that can be used for communications. Not only is it a data interface if properly implemented Firewire can do up to 30V 1.5A, talk about charging. I know it's not everyone's favorite interface, but I find having daisy chaining as an option is nice, but if I prefer not to I can use separate ports, the fact there's next to no processor overhead to use it is nice. The fact I can buy 5" cables for daisy chaining makes really makes wire management simple and clean, and I can use every one of my Firewire drives at once with little perceptible slow down.
  If it came with Firewire that would be good enough for me, because I like it. I think it would be a stupid move on the part of the manufacturer considering USB has pretty much won that war, but it meets my criteria. My desktop and two out of my three laptops support it, and I happen to have a Firewire car charger, it's right there with USB in my world of convenience.
  
  --
  The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
20. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by TheLink · 2011-12-18 03:03 · Score: 2
  
  1) The smart phones and tablets will kill this - lots of games on them. Worse if bluetooth gaming controllers/joysticks become popular or get bundled with some games.
  2) It's Sony. Many slashdotters won't buy Sony anymore.
  
  But yeah if the price is negative USD200 I'd buy it. Call me a sell-out but the USD200 will be nice in my drive upgrade/replacement fund :).
  --
  
  Too many replies beneath your current threshold
21. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by marcello_dl · 2011-12-18 03:03 · Score: 1
  
  My implementation deals with a corner case.
  "Does the hardware maker's site loads some homepage elements apparently fine and then smacks a "javascript is required" DIV in front?
  Keep noscript and surf somewhere else."
  
  --
  ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
22. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 03:06 · Score: 1
  
  Which part of your test considers whether or not the attached keyboard has a "t" key?
23. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by SScorpio · 2011-12-18 03:10 · Score: 1
  
  The Vita can only run digital version of PSP games since it doesn't have a UMD drive. But Vita games are available day one as digital or you can go to a store and buy it on a small cartridge. So how will this kill off used game sales?
24. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Gravatron · 2011-12-18 03:33 · Score: 0
  
  Sony doesn't hate gamers, Sony hates pirates. Pirates are the most self-entitles scum there is.
25. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 03:40 · Score: 0
  
  Here's my simple test:
  PS Vita looks like a product made for teenagers. I'm in my 40s. Yep I won't purchase that.
  (you can post "get off my lawn" now if you wish kiddies)
26. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Sniper98G · 2011-12-18 03:40 · Score: 1
  
  But proprietary media formats have worked out so well for Sony in the past. Every time I go to the store I take a look at all the betamax tapes, mini discs and UMDs, and think man where would we be without these.
27. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 04:36 · Score: 0
  
  A kindrid spirit! Sony has at many turns shown that it does not have a grasp of corporate ethics. They do not need my business and I do not need their products (including their music).
28. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 04:42 · Score: 0
  
  Sony doesn't hate gamers, Sony hates pirates. Pirates are the most self-entitles scum there is.
  If Sony doesn't hate gamers why do they continue to use Securom?
29. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Burning1 · 2011-12-18 04:48 · Score: 1
  
  If the price was -$200, I'd buy as many as the store stocked, from every store in the area. ;)
30. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by orphiuchus · 2011-12-18 05:06 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Sony doesn't hate gamers, they just have absolutely no respect for them.
31. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 05:09 · Score: 0
  
  Even simpler test.
  Made by Sony?
  Y-Don't Buy It.
  Maybe you folks are willing to forgive the rootkit episode...I am not. Recent events have only reinforced my conviction to never again buy a Sony product.
32. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Galestar · 2011-12-18 05:42 · Score: 0
  
  I think its the opposite for most everyone else. They ask the following questions.
  Does it have Firewire? Yes - Fuck that, move on.
  Does it have USB? Yes - Awesome lets see what else it has...
  
  --
  AccountKiller
33. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 06:22 · Score: 0
  
  But proprietary media formats have worked out so well for Sony in the past. Every time I go to the store I take a look at all the betamax tapes, mini discs and UMDs, and think man where would we be without these.
  And what about the Blueray discs?
34. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by muon-catalyzed · 2011-12-18 06:25 · Score: 1
  
  So you want to waste your precious time messing with those used cards? I personally prefer to download everything from PSN, don't want to have another dust collecting stuff around me to shuffle around. Now, thanks to people like you I can't just download Skyrim off PSN.
35. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by NeutronCowboy · 2011-12-18 06:28 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Sony doesn't hate pirates, because pirates are cheap and never pay for anything. Sony does hate the second-hate market though, because these people are willing to pay money for a game, but Sony doesn't see a red cent of it.
  That's why nearly all recent games, and every major title in the past year, has had download-only content in it right from the start. And by the way, Sony isn't the only one doing this.
  
  --
  Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
36. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 06:44 · Score: 0
  
  That is in theory. However, there are two laws things are made by nowadays:
  1: Make it as cheap as possible.
  2: Let the lawyers and the paid off legal system defend #1.
37. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Cinder6 · 2011-12-18 06:51 · Score: 1
  
  The industry has worked fine for decades with used games. Why is it only now a problem?
  
  --
  If you can't convince them, convict them.
38. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Goaway · 2011-12-18 06:54 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, it's just so hard to find someone who hates Sony on Slashdot!
39. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by epyT-R · 2011-12-18 06:55 · Score: 1
  
  actually no. it's sony that is. they think they should be entitled to post sale usage patterns. this attitude creates pirates
40. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by tepples · 2011-12-18 06:56 · Score: 1
  
  PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 have proprietary media formats, based on CD, DVD, and BD respectively, so that the general public cannot make and self-publish games without going through Sony Computer Entertainment.
41. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by tepples · 2011-12-18 07:01 · Score: 1
  
  USB charge port or it is a complete FAIL.
  What if you want to charge a device faster than 2.5 W, the maximum that a conforming USB device can draw from a computer without a dedicated charging port?
42. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by epyT-R · 2011-12-18 07:05 · Score: 1
  
  good. you can save up for your walker.
43. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Spy+Handler · 2011-12-18 07:22 · Score: 2
  
  Blu ray is not proprietary, any more than the CD format is proprietary.
44. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 07:29 · Score: 0
  
  You ever read the comments on gamer sites? I don't have any respect for gamers either.
45. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by panda+cakes · 2011-12-18 07:44 · Score: 0
  
  It always has been a problem but, say, 10 years ago a game would cost only 1-5M to develop and had to sell 20-100K copies to break even. A publisher would see many games selling close to break even point from either side and quite a few turning in some 100-1000% ROI. Wanting more than this would be pure greed. Nowadays (the last gen really) a game costs 10-100M and has to sell 300K-3M to break even. A publisher sees many games do not ever reach this point and incurring some heavy losses, the total profitability is nowhere near what it used to be the previous generation. So today publishers and developers are paying attention to the income sources other than "the first sale".
46. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 07:45 · Score: 0
  
  Sony hates people who don't give them a constant stream of money. People who give Sony a constant stream of money are only mildly despised.
47. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by pecosdave · 2011-12-18 07:52 · Score: 1
  
  I'm a Kubuntu user. My external drives are mostly Acomdata bays.
  Apple is evil.
  
  --
  The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
48. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by BronsCon · 2011-12-18 07:52 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, I'm very self-entitled (fixed that for you). I'm entitled to know EXACTLY what I'm buying, through trying it out to the fullest extent possible, before I buy it. Moreso since I can't return it if I don't like it or, for some reason, can't use it.
  If piracy is my only means for doing so, so be it, that is a choice made by the company whose media I'm pirating. Were they to allow returns on opened media, I'd be willing to buy it and, if I don't like it, return it; since I can not do this, I pirate it and, if I do like it, I buy it.
  Self-entitled, indeed. Go eat a dick, fuckwad.
  
  --
  APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
49. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 08:09 · Score: 0
  
  This logic hinges on 2 assumptions: a) used games buyer will cash out $60 bucks for new game if he can't buy it used for $30, b) used games reseller will still buy the game for $60 if he knows he can't resell it for $30 after playing.
  Looks far-fetched to me.
  And no, good games still bring in the cash just fine - look no further than Skyrim for proof. It did cost something about $100M to develop, but it already sold over >$600M. Really doesn't look like "We all just have to scrape for every dollar from you reselling cheapshots"
50. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by panda+cakes · 2011-12-18 08:33 · Score: 0
  
  This logic hinges on 2 assumptions: a) used games buyer will cash out $60 bucks for new game if he can't buy it used for $30, b) used games reseller will still buy the game for $60 if he knows he can't resell it for $30 after playing.
  Looks far-fetched to me.
  Not really. This logic hinges on the assumption that used game resellers make some nice profit. I'll direct you to the GameStop (GME) balance sheet for the actual data that back up this assumption pretty well.
  
  And no, good games still bring in the cash just fine - look no further than Skyrim for proof. It did cost something about $100M to develop, but it already sold over >$600M. Really doesn't look like "We all just have to scrape for every dollar from you reselling cheapshots"
  Skyrim has not sold 10M units. They shipped 10M units and sold about 3M from what I read. They are never going to sell 10M at $60 (for once it's already discounted so even if they manage to move 7M more units it's not going to be at $60). But this is besides the point - nobody said that good games do not bring cash. They just don't bring as much as they used to and they need to bring more because the "bad" games now make more losses than they used to.
51. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 08:55 · Score: 1
  
  This logic hinges on the assumption that used game resellers make some nice profit
  Eh? What does reseller's profit have to do with game dev's profit?
  Stopping reselling only _ensures_ drop in resales, not a spike in first sales.
  
  They just don't bring as much as they used to and they need to bring more because the "bad" games now make more losses than they used to.
  BS. First, most titles selling over 1M copies are in post-"1-5M to develop" era. Second, "10-100M to develop" era is long here and companies survived just fine with resellers. Trying to double-dip is just pure greed. Third, if you spend tens of millions dollars and can't even break even on your product - it means you failed in managing money and judging the market for your product. Scraping the bottom of the barrell for extra dollar won't help you in this case.
52. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by panda+cakes · 2011-12-18 09:18 · Score: 0
  
  This logic hinges on the assumption that used game resellers make some nice profit
  Eh? What does reseller's profit have to do with game dev's profit?
  Stopping reselling only _ensures_ drop in resales, not a spike in first sales.
  So you believe there is a market of people who only wish to buy used games for the sole reason of them being used similarly to the used underwear market alleged to exist in Japan? You might be right but the current theory in the industry is that people buy used games to save money. If secondary market did not exist then publishers could offer games at the same price points through gradual discounting.
  
  BS. First, most titles selling over 1M copies are in post-"1-5M to develop" era. Second, "10-100M to develop" era is long here and companies survived just fine with resellers. Trying to double-dip is just pure greed. Third, if you spend tens of millions dollars and can't even break even on your product - it means you failed in managing money and judging the market for your product. Scraping the bottom of the barrell for extra dollar won't help you in this case.
  BS. Most of the companies that existed before 2000 have not survived or barely exist now (like Interplay with a dozen people left), both publishers and developers. Here is a fine read for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Defunct_video_game_companies
53. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 09:54 · Score: 1
  
  So you believe there is a market of people who only wish to buy used games for the sole reason of them being used similarly to the used underwear market alleged to exist in Japan? You might be right but the current theory in the industry is that people buy used games to save money. If secondary market did not exist then publishers could offer games at the same price points through gradual discounting.
  Discounting? Now you make even less sense. Consider two scenarios: a) person #1 buys a game for $60 when it's released, sells it to person #2 for $30 two weeks later. Result: company's profit $60, #1 and #2's spending $30 each. b) person #1 and #2 buys a game half a year later, when it's discounted to $30. Result: company's profit $60, #1 and #2's spending $30 each, the only difference being "buy now" vs "buy later".
  
  BS. Most of the companies that existed before 2000 have not survived or barely exist now (like Interplay with a dozen people left), both publishers and developers. Here is a fine read for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Defunct_video_game_companies
  
  And what exactly should that link prove? "Video games always were a flimsy market and it takes a master to steer"? "If you produce shitty games, you're out"? "Those who fail at business, go bankrupt"?
  Why, here's an excellent (non-)counter to your (non-)argument: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_developers - see how much there are active companies who started before 2000?
  I fail to see how this proves sudden necessity to try and take a bite out of reseller's profits.
54. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by sortius_nod · 2011-12-18 10:14 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  You are confusing copy protection with proprietary media formats. There's no correlation between the two. The drives will still read CDs, DVDs & BDs that DON'T have the copy protection, you just can't execute code without bypassing said protection. With the Vita, there is NOTHING compatible with the proprietary media format they are using. You can't get a reader & you can't get blank media.
  Dictionaries are useful tools when you don't understand a concept, even a quick google would have given you enough information to say your comment is flawed.
55. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by panda+cakes · 2011-12-18 10:31 · Score: 0
  
  Discounting? Now you make even less sense. Consider two scenarios: a) person #1 buys a game for $60 when it's released, sells it to person #2 for $30 two weeks later. Result: company's profit $60, #1 and #2's spending $30 each. b) person #1 and #2 buys a game half a year later, when it's discounted to $30. Result: company's profit $60, #1 and #2's spending $30 each, the only difference being "buy now" vs "buy later".
  These are obviously only two possible scenarios, right? People don't ever buy games if they cannot sell them later, right? Valve's Steam, Microsoft's Live, Sony's PSN and Apple iTunes are just fake businesses to launder drug money, correct?
  
  And what exactly should that link prove? "Video games always were a flimsy market and it takes a master to steer"? "If you produce shitty games, you're out"? "Those who fail at business, go bankrupt"?
  Why, here's an excellent (non-)counter to your (non-)argument: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_developers - see how much there are active companies who started before 2000?
  I fail to see how this proves sudden necessity to try and take a bite out of reseller's profits.
  The point I countered was "the industry is doing fine". I don't count bankrupcies and studio closures as "doing fine". Glad to see you finally realized that developers can take a bite of resellers profits though.
56. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by tepples · 2011-12-18 10:39 · Score: 2
  
  You are confusing copy protection with proprietary media formats. There's no correlation between the two. The drives will still read CDs, DVDs & BDs that DON'T have the copy protection, you just can't execute code without bypassing said protection.
  For one thing, that's not copy protection but instead execute protection because it restricts execution even of original software that is not an illegal copy.
  
  With the Vita, there is NOTHING compatible with the proprietary media format they are using.
  Which is different from another company's Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS media how? Even within the Sony-verse, Memory Stick PRO Duo might be considered a proprietary media format.
57. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 11:23 · Score: 0
  
  These are obviously only two possible scenarios, right? People don't ever buy games if they cannot sell them later, right? Valve's Steam, Microsoft's Live, Sony's PSN and Apple iTunes are just fake businesses to launder drug money, correct?
  What. Learn to read, really. I say "People who won't spend $60, but are willing to spend $30 won't buy it for $60, so there's no profit in stopping resales", you say "Oh, so you say nobody wants to spend $60 on this". Yes, I know that people who are willing to spend their $60 exist, but they don't enter this equation at all - we're talking about "does stopping resell increase profits", remember?
  
  The point I countered was "the industry is doing fine".
  Nope, the point you countered is "everyone, no matter how shitty or skilled, is doing fine". There are failures in every business, especially when trading in such volatile market as VG, just pointing at them doesn't prove that the industry is doomed unless they squeeze the customer for every cent available.
  
  Glad to see you finally realized that developers can take a bite of resellers profits though.
  Sad to see you can't discern between "try and take a bite out of reseller's profits" and "take a bite out of reseller's profits".
58. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by panda+cakes · 2011-12-18 11:50 · Score: 0
  
  What. Learn to read, really. I say "People who won't spend $60, but are willing to spend $30 won't buy it for $60, so there's no profit in stopping resales", you say "Oh, so you say nobody wants to spend $60 on this". Yes, I know that people who are willing to spend their $60 exist, but they don't enter this equation at all - we're talking about "does stopping resell increase profits", remember?
  So where exactly does re-seller profit come from? From what I know your numbers are completely off base. GameStop does not re-sell game with 0 margin. They will buy a game for $30 only if they can turn it around and sell for $50. So we have somebody who wants a game for $30 and somebody who is fine with $50. A developer would have discounted to $50 first, got $50 sale, then discounted to $30 - got $30 sale, total $80 vs $60 he is getting now. The actual profit is even more because somebody who buys a $60 game on the release date with intention to re-sell it for $30 might not be comfortable with waiting several months till discounts will reach $30 and is likely to spend $60 or wait much less for a smaller discount, say $50.
  
  Nope, the point you countered is "everyone, no matter how shitty or skilled, is doing fine". There are failures in every business, especially when trading in such volatile market as VG, just pointing at them doesn't prove that the industry is doomed unless they squeeze the customer for every cent available.
  There are failures in every business but when the failures increase the business has to adapt or perish.
59. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by iapetus · 2011-12-18 22:38 · Score: 1
  
  That's kind of Sony's fault, though, isn't it? I was a big fan of theirs back in the day, but since they've been so anti-consumer and... well, straight out evil, that they give Microsoft and Apple a run for their money.
  </troll>
  
  --
  ++ Say to Elrond "Hello.".
  Elrond says "No.". Elrond gives you some lunch.
60. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by man_the_king · 2011-12-19 00:33 · Score: 1
  
  Why?
  It could cost $5 and I wouldn't buy it because it comes stamped with 'Sony' on the front. Screw that and screw them.
  On top of which there's a whole new proprietary memory card format! Hooray!
  Trolls chanting "Screw Sony" marked "Insightful".
  
  Only on Slashdot.
61. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by mcgrew · 2011-12-19 05:09 · Score: 1
  
  "Screw Sony" a troll? Do you work for them or something??? XCP, otherOS, insecure customer data? I won't say screw Sony, I'll say FUCK Sony in the ass with a hot soldering iron. Someone should be in prison for XCP. Sony should have gone out of business long ago, and would have if people weren't stupid.
  Only a damned fool buys a Sony product. Oh, and BTW, I've been modded down for this exact type of comment against Sony.
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
62. Re:Simple "will I buy it" test. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-19 05:21 · Score: 0
  
  The industry has worked fine for decades with used games. Why is it only now a problem?
  2 reasons, one valid and one lame respectively:
  1. Games are treated more seriously nowadays and more time and money is spent developing a more unique user experience akin to other forms of entertainment media
  2. Games are treated more seriously nowadays and more time and money is spent on advertisement, executive salaries and to please investors akin to other forms of entertainment media
A good thing? by lyinhart · 2011-12-17 23:59 · Score: 4, Interesting

Somehow this seems a little irrelevant, considering the boon of gaming on mobile phones and an economy that makes people think twice of buying a separate portable gaming system.

--
Freedom is drinking a beer in the park when you're supposed to be at work.
1. Re:A good thing? by broknstrngz · 2011-12-18 00:04 · Score: 1
  
  You apply good ol' fashioned logic where there usually is none. Nowadays, people mostly buy things because they are affordable, not because they are necessary. If this gizmo is affordable, it will sell.
2. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 00:10 · Score: 0
  
  The problem with gaming on a phone is the controls _suck_. Have you tried playing a game using a tilt controlling while on shakey public transport? Does not work. It is fine while I am sitting at home, but that isn't the point of having a mobile device. Also touch screens a lot of gamers' cup of tea.
3. Re:A good thing? by wrencherd · 2011-12-18 00:12 · Score: 3
  
  Somehow this seems a little irrelevant, considering the boon of gaming on mobile phones and an economy that makes people think twice of buying a separate portable gaming system.
  I have to agree that "gaming" is becoming a redundant function.
  
  The first reaction to something like the Vita has to be, "What else does it do?"
4. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 00:15 · Score: 0
  
  When has a game console ever been necessary?
5. Re:A good thing? by shione · 2011-12-18 00:35 · Score: 2
  
  Exactly. That is why the results of this devices sales will win/lose regardless how well mobile phones perform.
  With Sony having a foot in android phones as well it keeps them covered in both markets.
  For serious gaming there is nothing that beats tactile feedback from real buttons and controls. How many times have you played a FPS on a touchscreen and had to adjust the positioning of your thumb because its moved off the touch directional pad?
6. Re:A good thing? by shione · 2011-12-18 00:52 · Score: 2
  
  You can listen to music, browse the internet (has html5 support), go on youtwitface, watch movies, read ebooks I guess. Basically the same stuff as a smartphone minus gps and phone features and in a bigger form factor but the gaming experience should be better. It runs a arm chip so I wouldnt be surprised if somebody manages port android to it like they've done with a ipod touch.
7. Re:A good thing? by thegarbz · 2011-12-18 00:56 · Score: 1
  
  For serious gaming ...
  Nothing beats sitting at the couch or infront of a gaming rig.
  People bought Gameboys not to do serious gaming (or ok I'll say some did, but I doubt they'd support the platform on their own). People bought Gameboys to get them through a boring bus ride to school, or to kill some time waiting for a train. I used to see Gameboys, DSes PSPs and all sorts of hand held gaming consoles on my daily commute to uni. These days all I see is people playing Angry Birds.
  I'm willing to bet that people don't buy these things to play a hardcore FPS. They buy these things just to have some casual fun that can kill 20minutes. The FPS element or any other element requiring the tactile feedback of a D-Pad can easily be replaced with some other game type which could still serve the same fun purpose.
  Just my guess anyway. I don't see this taking off. But hey I'm not a CEO.
8. Re:A good thing? by Turbine2k5 · 2011-12-18 00:59 · Score: 1
  
  I'm willing to bet that people don't buy these things to play a hardcore FPS. They buy these things just to have some casual fun that can kill 20minutes.
  So why are people spending $200-$500 on these things, when they can pick up some casual games off the App Store/Android Market for $0-$5 a pop?
  
  --
  I can't think of a good sig, so I'll pirate yours.
9. Re:A good thing? by loufoque · 2011-12-18 01:20 · Score: 1
  
  Right, because iPhone/Android games are really comparable to PSP or Vita ones.
  And a touchscreen is better than an actual keypad or a joystick too I suppose.
10. Re:A good thing? by Lumpy · 2011-12-18 01:40 · Score: 1
  
  I dont care what the platform... FPS's SUCK on a portable. the PSP was the best portable yet for FPS and it still sucked, the analog stick on the PSP is garbage.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
11. Re:A good thing? by Lumpy · 2011-12-18 01:42 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Because contrary to what apple and google wants you to think, Game controls on phones suck.
  Go ahead and play Rage on the iphone or Ipad.. it's frustrating as hell.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
12. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 01:45 · Score: 0
  
  Well actually, there is GPS features on the networked version (not the wi-fi one)
  Technically there could be phone features to a very limited extent if you used, say, Skype, or whatever.
  There is an appstore on this thing, right?
  If so, probably more communication methods rather than people depending on browser access.
  Although I wonder if most people would buy them since the types who would buy the console in the first place aren't typically of the lazy and quite thick people who buy apps left, right and center "just because"
  Most will be like "I can access it through browser+bookmarks, why would I buy an app to do that for me?"
13. Re:A good thing? by PopeRatzo · 2011-12-18 01:46 · Score: 1
  
  If this gizmo is affordable, it will sell.
  "Affordable" is a slippery term.
  Personally, I cannot afford to support a company like Sony. I'm not sure we can afford to have companies behave the way Sony behaves. So no Sony product is "affordable".
  
  --
  You are welcome on my lawn.
14. Re:A good thing? by Megane · 2011-12-18 01:48 · Score: 2
  
  Good luck jailbreaking it first. That's one of the reasons they're completely breaking away from the old PSP architecture other than more or less keeping the same form factor.
  
  --
  #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
15. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 01:51 · Score: 0
  
  I dont care what the platform... FPS's SUCK on a portable.
  Not Quake or The Warlock of Firetop Mountain on the DS - controlling looking with the stylus!
16. Re:A good thing? by TheLink · 2011-12-18 03:13 · Score: 2
  
  Does stuff like this help? http://www.icontrolpad.com/
  If the prices go down and stuff like this becomes popular for Android and Apple stuff I think the portable gaming console market is going to die and be completely replaced by the phones and pads.
  --
  
  Too many replies beneath your current threshold
17. Re:A good thing? by anonymov · 2011-12-18 03:35 · Score: 1
  
  Some do, but a) controls and battery life still tend to be better on portables, b) there are hugely popular titles that are still exclusive to portables (can't say much about Sony, but here's a hint for one of examples on Nintendo - it starts with "Pok" and ends with "mon")
18. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 04:25 · Score: 0
  
  Go ahead and play Rage on the iphone or Ipad.. it's frustrating as hell.
  That seems rather appropriate.
19. Re:A good thing? by Legion303 · 2011-12-18 04:28 · Score: 1
  
  SKFU has already run homebrew ("hello world") on it. Sony just changed the old AES key they were using, but since this is Sony, there is undoubtedly more fail inbound.
20. Re:A good thing? by blackraven14250 · 2011-12-18 05:19 · Score: 1
  
  I don't think so. That becomes another gadget to carry around, as it's not even like it can fold in with the iPhone and reduce its footprint.
21. Re:A good thing? by CityZen · 2011-12-18 06:35 · Score: 1
  
  This is a sign that you are getting old. Time to buy a nose-hair trimmer.
22. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 06:46 · Score: 0
  
  Agreed. Some games require physical controllers. Loving thr new connectivity in Sony's tablet update though. Considering buying one if ics hits it.
23. Re:A good thing? by epyT-R · 2011-12-18 07:09 · Score: 1
  
  nevermind that.. fps sucks on a controller period.
24. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 07:35 · Score: 0
  
  The ironic thing is that Sony is one of the few Android phone makers who will allow people to unlock their bootloaders.
25. Re:A good thing? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 07:49 · Score: 0
  
  Apple didn't build a gaming phone. Developers created games, and users decided they liked them.
  Of course better controllers are available. Better computers and graphics are as well. Using your phone in place of a dedicated game rig is a compromise, but one the majority is apparantly satisfied with.
Another 'Dependent' Product by WrongSizeGlass · 2011-12-18 00:12 · Score: 3, Insightful

It will enable gamers to play against each other using PlayStation 3 consoles over the Internet-based PlayStation Network
Just like RIM's PlayBook, the Vita requires another expensive manufacture & platform specific product to be able to use its full capabilities. This isn't as bad as RIM's requirement for a BlackBerry just to be able to get email, but this type of forced dependency is never good for the consumer.
1. Re:Another 'Dependent' Product by Gravatron · 2011-12-18 03:36 · Score: 2
  
  You don't need a ps3 for online play you know, no more then you needed one for the PSP. You can just play over normal wireless if you so chose, provided your in range of a network or hotspot. The PSvita does support playing against ps3 games in certain games though, a first for a handheld.
No clue.. by crossmr · 2011-12-18 00:22 · Score: 1

If it wasn't for piracy the PSP wouldn't have sold. Sony has admitted that in at least one interview. Yet they continually tried to lock it down.
That was a handheld that was only $200.. I've seen prices around $500 for this. Sony just doesn't seem to have a clue. The PSP Go was a huge hit for them too
1. Re:No clue.. by Kiraxa · 2011-12-18 00:36 · Score: 0
  
  The PSP in general is the best selling non-Nintendo handheld, ever. Its a pretty big accomplishment. Sony has quite a big clue as to what they're doing, and are scaring the pants off Nintendo while they do it (See: Nintendo price dropping the 3DS a week after announcing that the Vita launch price is == 3ds launch price, well before nintendo normally price drops.)
  
  --
  http://phelannguyen.blogspot.com/
2. Re:No clue.. by crossmr · 2011-12-18 01:35 · Score: 1
  
  Do you know anything about the PSP?
  What other competition was there really? Nintendo and Sony, no one else in the game, not hard to be number 2.
  There were a lot of times when no games were being released for the PSP and the only thing keeping sales going was people hacking it for homebrew/piracy
3. Re:No clue.. by antifoidulus · 2011-12-18 02:05 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  Um, 2006 called, they want their stereotypes back. The PSP did get off to a rough start, and a lot of early adopters bought it to play pirated games, but overall game sales are around 300 million for roughly 70 million sold, or about 4 games/console, and I don't think that includes downloadable sales, which would push the total higher. Plus I'm sure that even though 70 million consoles were sold, they weren't sold to 70 million different people, due to the huge # of hardware variations there are probably a significant number of people who bought more than 1 version of the console, pushing the games per gamer up even higher.
  
  --
  Monstar L
4. Re:No clue.. by Narishma · 2011-12-18 02:45 · Score: 1
  
  The Vita will cost $250 when it launches, the same price the PSP and 3DS started with. The $500 you're seeing is for devices imported from Japan.
  
  --
  Mada mada dane.
5. Re:No clue.. by heinousjay · 2011-12-18 05:25 · Score: 0
  
  Nintendo wasn't scared of the PSP, they were scared of Apple's amazingly successful iDevices.
  Sony is about to taste third place in yet another market. Heaven help them if Microsoft ever figures out their mobile strategy.
  
  --
  Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
6. Re:No clue.. by CanEHdian · 2011-12-18 05:29 · Score: 1
  
  The PSP did get off to a rough start, and a lot of early adopters bought it to play pirated games,
  Where did you get that? I remember a modified "Lumines" and maybe a few others that had hardcoded pathnames changed from the UMD to the memory card, but those were the exception. At the start, memorystick pro duo cards were very expensive. Fact is that there was a very successful homebrew scene (especially for those that remained on v1.50 firmware). Only when ISO-loaders came out, years into the PSP's life, piracy became a problem.
  
  --
  When the copyright term is "forever minus a day", live every day like it's the last.
7. Re:No clue.. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 05:41 · Score: 0
  
  Yet they continually tried to lock it down.
  And with good reason. I can tell you first hand that CFW killed the PSP multiplayer community. CFW allows 'gamegenie' type homebrew to be run. It is not fun having people running around with infinite health or sniping people from outside the map or being insta kicked out of a match w/o going through a vote. I've seen the Socom FTB die as a result of CFW v2.80 being released. It went from 30,000 users to ~500 users online in just a couple months.
8. Re:No clue.. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 06:01 · Score: 0
  
  It is not fun having people running around with infinite health or sniping people from outside the map or being insta kicked out of a match w/o going through a vote.
  You say that like if it's not developer's fault for writing crappy code in the first place.
  Programming a game to behave like this is kinda like playing poker and just handing over the chips whenever someone says "I've got royal flush!" without looking at the cards (and disregarding you've got a face card from each suit on the hand as well)
9. Re:No clue.. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 06:27 · Score: 0
  
  Doesnt matter what kind of code the programmers write when the firmware can just overwrite the RAM at the hardware level.
10. Re:No clue.. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 06:51 · Score: 0
  
  ... On the other player's side? Sorry, but it doesn't work this way.
  Properly written P2P-model networked soft can at least detect and flag cheats and client-server model won't even let most cheats to live (unless the cheater is the server)
  Inifinite health in multiplayer is failure to grasp basics on developer's side. Wallhack and aimbot style cheats is a completely different beast, but still catchable without full lockdown of the platform.
11. Re:No clue.. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 11:10 · Score: 1
  
  You don't seem to understand how games and cheats work.
  The cheat actually play with the game's memory. The only way to protect yourself from this, is to have an external program auditing the whole memory while the game is running (that's how any anti-cheat system works on PC, some of them also scan the hard drive to find exploits).
  So yeah, you blame game devs when there's cheating. And you blame them when they're spying on memory to block cheat.... good grief.
12. Re:No clue.. by BenoitRen · 2011-12-19 00:00 · Score: 1
  
  If it wasn't for piracy the PSP wouldn't have sold.
  
  That's wrong, at least as far as the portable's second life is concerned. Retailers started pushing it in Japan because it had less piracy than the DS. Then came titles like God of War, Monster Hunter, Phantasy Star Portable and others that revitalised it.
All I want by MrDoh! · 2011-12-18 00:49 · Score: 1

Is more revisions to their xperia play. This should be a phone of some sort. Doesn't have to be Android (though preferred). Just a cool gaming device, with proper controls, that can also make phone calls.

--
Waiting for an amusing sig.
1. Re:All I want by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 02:36 · Score: 0
  
  I love my Xperia Play. Yeah, your fancy dual-core phone may be able to run emulators like a champ, but mine? I can actually play the damn games without wanting to hulk smash the thing into the ground.
  My only problem is the stupid glossy finish. It feels like I'm holding a bar of soap.
A Question with a Question by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 00:51 · Score: 1

If one goes to the official PSVITA FAQ section on Sony's website, one can see this interesting screw-up:
>Q: Can the PSVITA's output be displayed on a TV?
>A: Can the PSVITA's output be displayed on a TV?
http://jp-playstation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12268/p/1251/page/3/r_id/100001
I found this because I was genuinely curious about this feature and Googled for it, only to find this. Apparently, 2chan is getting a laugh out of it.
A lot of other complaints about the VITA are already piling up from Japanese gamers. This release, abundant software or not, is going to be as flaky and pit-fall ridden as any other.
Q: but does it run linux? by Gravis+Zero · 2011-12-18 01:08 · Score: 2

A: Cease and Desist letter.

--
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
Any gamblers here? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 01:18 · Score: 0

Quote from above:
"It will enable gamers to play against each other using PlayStation 3 consoles over the Internet-based PlayStation Network..."
This is a nice feature, but is is just streaming video from another machine. Not to difficult as long a you have the bandwidth. Who want's to lay a bet down that it won't stream the next gen PlayStation console games without either an expensive software upgrade or brand new hardware. The hell with Sony and others with their proprietary hardware and locked down software. I will go play Tux Racer on and old P3 first thank you very much.
Not in near real time coding it isn't by Kupfernigk · 2011-12-18 01:27 · Score: 1

A properly designed fall through switch (commented, obviously) is an extremely efficient decision structure. If someone tells me at an interview that they would never use it because it is bad form, I immediately ask them if they have ever done any real time or high throughput programming. The answer is always no.

--
From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
1. Re:Not in near real time coding it isn't by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 02:36 · Score: 0
  
  real time or high throughput programming
  Hell, even in basic stuff, I've got a billion switches that fall through. For instance, a customer wants to see what something is going to cost before they close the ticket?
  
  case VIEWTICKET: preview=1; case CLOSETICKET: if (!preview) { take_money(); close_ticket(); } print_receipt(); break;
  
  Can't count the number of "dry run" things I've written in the 10 years since I graduated that sets a flag and then falls through to the normal process.
Controls... by misterjjones · 2011-12-18 01:51 · Score: 1

"The Vita has front and back cameras, a touchscreen in front, a touch pad on the back and two knob-like joysticks."

Who's their target audience? An octopus?
1. Re:Controls... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 03:55 · Score: 0
  
  Yay, tentacles.
2. Re:Controls... by SixGunMojo · 2011-12-18 04:47 · Score: 1
  
  Yay, tentacles.
  Can't tell if seen enough hentai
  (-_-)
  Or not enough
SmartPhones Up - Sony Down by BoRegardless · 2011-12-18 01:57 · Score: 1

Progress happens. Fewer devices, cables, parts, total cost. Phones and their tablet kin have more uses and allow gaming to be done by even more people than before, but Sony doesn't want to believe it.
1. Re:SmartPhones Up - Sony Down by Gravatron · 2011-12-18 03:40 · Score: 1
  
  Different styles of games yo. I've had a smartphone for years but very very rarely are the games worth playing for more then 5 minutes, mostly being on the level of newgrounds java games. 3DS and Vita looks are much more substantial in terms of design and depth. Both devices are also showing multiple capabilities beyond games, such as movies, photo, and in the vita's case, apps.
Rear touchpad is a good idea... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 03:21 · Score: 0

I should know, I came up with it over a year ago and emailed it to Motorola's customer support in march.
androidtrieste@gmail.com
This has Skype by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 03:46 · Score: 0

Skype on it make it pretty epic with google voice texting or online texting from your regular provider. It might be usable as a phone and a gaming machine.
Re: people-used-to-wait-in-line-for-concerts dept by guttentag · 2011-12-18 04:18 · Score: 1

They still do, but only at Microsoft Store grand openings.
Connection for controlling PS3 by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 04:25 · Score: 0

So it's a neat concept to be able to control your PS3 and play the games while away from your console. However, there is no way in hell a 3g connection is going to support this feature in the slightest. Try loading google on 3g... now just imagine the amount of data streaming to link games.
Battery not user-replaceable! by CanEHdian · 2011-12-18 05:21 · Score: 1

Be warned, you cannot change the battery yourself (officially). I have a 2005 PSP-1000 (USA/Canada) and it's currently on it's third battery (1 original, 2 high-capacity), and I'm just an occasional player. The device is working perfectly, and because of the new battery holds it charge fine. If the battery had not been replaceable I'd either have a portable player I can use for 30 minutes, or use it off an AC adapter, or throw it out and buy a new one. Sony's "solution" (after the Ah-oh moment) is an external battery pack.

--
When the copyright term is "forever minus a day", live every day like it's the last.
1. Re:Battery not user-replaceable! by BenoitRen · 2011-12-19 00:04 · Score: 1
  
  What batteries would you recommend? A friend tried several third-party ones and none of them held their charge for as long as advertised. In fact, the longer it should last, the less it did.
Cap by tepples · 2011-12-18 06:59 · Score: 1

Now, thanks to people like you I can't just download Skyrim off PSN.
Is it that, or is it thanks to people like the U.S. home ISPs that spend money on monthly transfer cap enforcement measures instead of on improving their network capacity? Retail PS3 games on BD-ROM are in the double-digit gigabytes and already exceed some home ISPs' monthly caps.
SERIOUS GAMING by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 06:59 · Score: 0

SERIOUS GAMING
Sony's Next-Generation Portable Is Out, In Japan by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 07:09 · Score: 0

And not a single fuck was given that day.
Too late by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 07:12 · Score: 0

The orginal PSP was ahead of its time in 2005, it had many features that found their way into modern smart phones and tablets such as wifi internet, digital downloads and being a portable media player. But now with so many other products out there that are less restrictive with DRM or just easier to jailbreak there isn't much point unless you are a hardcore Sony fanboy who likes it up the ass with proprietary cocks.
Who cares about phones? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-18 07:37 · Score: 0

I don't care about mobile phones, I don't need the harassment. I don't even need the voice feature of phones. I'd carry this around, though. I can access free wifi if I need to, or use a payphone or phone from my destination if I'm going somewhere.
Can't depend on already owning an iControlPad by tepples · 2011-12-18 08:36 · Score: 1

Game developers can't depend on a customer already owning an iControlPad. Nor can they take the Dance Dance Revolution/Guitar Hero/Wii Sports Resort/Wii Play Motion approach of bundling the required controller because the price of a controller far exceeds the expected price of a game on such a platform.
A bit of theory by anonymov · 2011-12-18 13:35 · Score: 2

All cheating can be basically divided in two groups: providing false information and abusing information you shouldn't know.
For multiplayer, all cheats of first kind - and cheats mentioned in GP are in there - can and must be detected by the server or the peer.
The first principle of all robust network apps - MP games are just a single example of net soft, after all - is "Trust no one".
See, even though "The cheat actually play with the game's memory" it shouldn't matter in this case, because "The game's memory" is not only in cheater's device, it's necessarily on other player's devices as well.
For example, infinite health just won't work when the server keeps tabs on each player's HP. It only works if server blindly trusts when cheater's client tells him "Hey, don't mind those hits, I still have 100HP".
And sniping from outside the map only works when server doesn't ensure players don't move outside the bounds.
But here game devs just said "Naah, too much bother, what can go wrong?". Why shouldn't they be blamed for dismissing basic sanity checks and blindly trusting that there will never-ever-ever-ever be a modified client on the net?