I actually have just the opposite experience. I see TONS of things on Amazon that are cheaper than anywhere else (proof [note, some are probably expired]) since they have low prices and a lot of exclusive promotions and rebates. I've rarely waited more than a few days for anything to be shipped, and once it had, I've gotten it quite quickly (then I got Prime, and now it's even more amazing). Incidentally, I *DO* only order things that come from Amazon themselves, so that may be where the difference lies.
This isn't a small sample size, either. I've ordered hundreds of things from them. Only been let down a couple times, and they made it right. I know I sound like a total shill right now, but I'm really just a huge Amazon whore.
Ah, but Google isn't a generic word for "web-search". It's a word for "web-search using Google". That's quite a distinction. People don't Google things on Yahoo.
Back when I lived at home, my room was the coldest in the house. Not much air came through the vent, and the Chicago winter wind belted the side of the house constantly. Frost would form on the inside of the walls.
Then I purchased myself an Athlon computer and 19" CRT. My room quickly became quite comfortable:)
It works really well in other games, too. For instance, sports arenas and racetracks look barren and WRONG without advertising. Putting real ads there helps the publishers AND adds to immersion.
Indeed. There are certain franchises that make consoles succeeed, especially in certain markets. For instance, no console which has the main Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series will ever fail in Japan (and, at this point, likely never in the US, either).
You know, there's this little matter called "taste" that comes into play. I've been an RPG nut since FF1 and DQ1, and FF7/FFT are my favorites with FF6 being one of my least favorites. It sure is nice of you to judge me as not a REAL fan by my personal preferences, though!
Currently, Adwords is the MAJOR source of revenue (they sell a few search appliances, but that's pennies compared to Adwords), but Google Checkout will hopefully be a decent income source, especially once Google Base becomes more popular.
Want to know what nerds of the future will find interesting? Go into a state of suspended animation, and then on Slashdot, you can read the latest...... dupes of the stories you read before you were frozen!
Looking "real" IS pretty awesome, so long as they don't make the entire game concentrate on realism. For instance, the FFXIII trailer looks pretty "real" with respect to image quality, but, since they stylized a lot of things and didn't concentrate on making the gameplay "realistic", it doesn't come off as boring.
Real-looking graphics aren't the problem. It's the boring "realism" gameplay.
This would be AMAZING, though, as an open-source project. Get an amazing, constantly-updating engine down, and let people release all the content they want for it. It would be like Doom WADs on steroids.
It's very possible that they'll put more effort into it this time, as it'll be a big, crushing f-you to Microsoft, both in the "our console is better than yours" and in the "who needs Windows?" ways.
EVERYONE who bashes the PS3 on price does this. It's like they don't even want to admit that there is a $499 machine. The funny thing is that, for 95% of people, the cheaper box is all they'll need.
The high price could be a marketing stunt anyway. I can think of two possibilities:
1) In the eyes of many who don't know how to interpret specs, a higher price makes the console seem "better". 2) Console launches are slammed with people reselling consoles for insane prices. Sony wants a cut of this initial rush, and adds some of that margin to their own pockets. Then, once the initial rush dies down, BAM! $100 price drop! Sales surge again.
Several really GREAT games making it worth buying despite the price.
I have two words for you (well, one hyphenated one):
Square-Enix.
Sony absolutely cannot fail if they have Final Fantasy (the main series, not random shootoffs) and Dragon Quest. It really is that simple. People will flock by the millions to buy a PS3 just for these games.
If they weren't able to take down PirateBay **in the EU**, what chance have they got to take down Allofmp3 in Russia?
It's a lot different - PirateBay wasn't actually hosting any content, so they're completely on the level. AllofMP3 is directly hosting and distributing everything.
Actually, the chalk is not used when there's a violation, it's used to track violators. If you've chaked three hours ago, and there's a two-hour limit, anyone with the chalk in the same spot has been there the whole time.
Slashdot Mirror
I actually have just the opposite experience. I see TONS of things on Amazon that are cheaper than anywhere else (proof [note, some are probably expired]) since they have low prices and a lot of exclusive promotions and rebates. I've rarely waited more than a few days for anything to be shipped, and once it had, I've gotten it quite quickly (then I got Prime, and now it's even more amazing). Incidentally, I *DO* only order things that come from Amazon themselves, so that may be where the difference lies.
This isn't a small sample size, either. I've ordered hundreds of things from them. Only been let down a couple times, and they made it right. I know I sound like a total shill right now, but I'm really just a huge Amazon whore.
Ah, but Google isn't a generic word for "web-search". It's a word for "web-search using Google". That's quite a distinction. People don't Google things on Yahoo.
Back when I lived at home, my room was the coldest in the house. Not much air came through the vent, and the Chicago winter wind belted the side of the house constantly. Frost would form on the inside of the walls.
:)
Then I purchased myself an Athlon computer and 19" CRT. My room quickly became quite comfortable
It works really well in other games, too. For instance, sports arenas and racetracks look barren and WRONG without advertising. Putting real ads there helps the publishers AND adds to immersion.
Indeed. There are certain franchises that make consoles succeeed, especially in certain markets. For instance, no console which has the main Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series will ever fail in Japan (and, at this point, likely never in the US, either).
But were the good ol' boys drinking whiskey & rye?
Yes, and that's how they came up with the name for the Wii.
You know, there's this little matter called "taste" that comes into play. I've been an RPG nut since FF1 and DQ1, and FF7/FFT are my favorites with FF6 being one of my least favorites. It sure is nice of you to judge me as not a REAL fan by my personal preferences, though!
Currently, Adwords is the MAJOR source of revenue (they sell a few search appliances, but that's pennies compared to Adwords), but Google Checkout will hopefully be a decent income source, especially once Google Base becomes more popular.
Want to know what nerds of the future will find interesting? Go into a state of suspended animation, and then on Slashdot, you can read the latest... ... dupes of the stories you read before you were frozen!
Seriously. This story needs to be modded -1, "Duh".
Looking "real" IS pretty awesome, so long as they don't make the entire game concentrate on realism. For instance, the FFXIII trailer looks pretty "real" with respect to image quality, but, since they stylized a lot of things and didn't concentrate on making the gameplay "realistic", it doesn't come off as boring.
Real-looking graphics aren't the problem. It's the boring "realism" gameplay.
This would be AMAZING, though, as an open-source project. Get an amazing, constantly-updating engine down, and let people release all the content they want for it. It would be like Doom WADs on steroids.
They may have certain contracts that don't expire until then.
Google's dress code is basically "just don't wear flip-flops everyday".
It's very possible that they'll put more effort into it this time, as it'll be a big, crushing f-you to Microsoft, both in the "our console is better than yours" and in the "who needs Windows?" ways.
No actions yet, but they say it'll be done by 2007.
EVERYONE who bashes the PS3 on price does this. It's like they don't even want to admit that there is a $499 machine. The funny thing is that, for 95% of people, the cheaper box is all they'll need.
The high price could be a marketing stunt anyway. I can think of two possibilities:
1) In the eyes of many who don't know how to interpret specs, a higher price makes the console seem "better".
2) Console launches are slammed with people reselling consoles for insane prices. Sony wants a cut of this initial rush, and adds some of that margin to their own pockets. Then, once the initial rush dies down, BAM! $100 price drop! Sales surge again.
FFXI doesn't really count - it's been out for the PC for years as well. The real attraction is FFXIII (confirmed) and DQ9 (presumed).
Several really GREAT games making it worth buying despite the price.
I have two words for you (well, one hyphenated one):
Square-Enix.
Sony absolutely cannot fail if they have Final Fantasy (the main series, not random shootoffs) and Dragon Quest. It really is that simple. People will flock by the millions to buy a PS3 just for these games.
If they weren't able to take down PirateBay **in the EU**, what chance have they got to take down Allofmp3 in Russia?
It's a lot different - PirateBay wasn't actually hosting any content, so they're completely on the level. AllofMP3 is directly hosting and distributing everything.
... yes, because everybody who works for Microsoft is a horrible, horrible person who is unfit to work at any good company.
They'd never do that, because they know they can update the graphics and sell it for $50 and people will still swarm to buy it.
Only when I ride him bare-back.
I took this COMPLETELY the wrong way at first.
You know that you don't have to sign up for all these services under the same account, right?
Actually, the chalk is not used when there's a violation, it's used to track violators. If you've chaked three hours ago, and there's a two-hour limit, anyone with the chalk in the same spot has been there the whole time.