It was based on an old joke which probably isn't as well known as I hoped.;)
An American was backpacking across the highlands, when he came across a small village where he decided to spend the night.
Upon entering the local pub that evening for some drinks with the locals, he found himself in a conversation with one particularly drunk and indignant individual.
"Ya see that fence out there?" The old man asked the backpacker. "I built that fence with me own hands. But ya think they call me MacGregor the fence builder? No!"
"And that church out there. I hoisted the bell up to the top with me own hands. But ya think they call me MacGregor the church builder? No!"
And that bridge. I put it together stone by stone. But ya think they call me MacGregor the bridge builder? No!"
"But ya screw one goat..."
For the most part the ESRB has done a great job rating games but most everybody only remembers them for "Hot Coffee".
>"I've had folks at GameStop tell me that the PS3 might still make s "surprise" arrival by the end of this year.
>
IGN Reporter: "PS3 may ship before XMas! I got the word from Angry Bob at GameStop, and confirmation from tprime on Slashdot!"
The point is Microsoft is banking in part on the fact that they are first. If most people can't buy before Sony or Nintendo goes to market, they lose this advantage (or worse, they become "last year's" console).
Oh, and it isn't all about you. Just so you know.;)
Just like no software company would have the guts to key their OS to one machine.
This is the future as the big companies see it. With bandwidth being so cheap, and so much of their product being little more than 0's and 1's, they feel they need to do something to continue making a buck.
I'm not happy with it, but I can also see why they are doing it.
If they do sell out on Tuesday but, miracle of miracles, they get a huge shipment in just in time for Black Friday. If this happens, you can bet it was all a big scam.
And, if it works, I think we should make Jennifer Government required reading for all future marketing classes...
I'm not sure about Sony's financial woes 5 years ago, but I remember the XBox being more expensive to make then the PS2. So, unlike last time, Microsoft has the advantage of deep pockets, a cheaper product, and being first to market.
Don't forget, Microsoft is known for its big mistakes but also for the fact that it learns from them. They learned a lot from the first XBox. Expect to see all new mistakes this time.;) But never underestimate them...
Over the last week or so, most of the posts have been in the sub-100. But this isn't normal.
IGN Talks Games Industry Salaries (On October 20th, 2005 with 348 comments)
Jack Thompson Under Investigation (On October 20th, 2005 with 214 comments)
TransGaming Releases Fast Software 3D Rendering (On October 19th, 2005 with 256 comments)
Nintendo & McDonalds Providing WiFi (On October 18th, 2005 with 296 comments)
You are looking at a lull between storms right now. You'll see 1000's of comments once the next next-gen consoles are released.
Am I the only one that got excited reading this? Microsoft expects to have at least two games ready by launch!!!
Re:Regulate Sales As Well As Content Creation
on
The ESRB Bites Back
·
· Score: 1
You know, I might be fine with local and state government (hell, maybe even the feds) passing a law that would fine stores for selling M-rated games to kids. The problem I have is that "they" want to decide what is "bad".
The California law, as far as I can tell, doesn't even tell me who "they" are. Nor does it clearly tell me how "they" will judge the content. Can I have "them" judge the content before I release the game? Or do I just release the game and hope that "they" don't find the violence too hard for kids?
ESRB may not be perfect, but they've done a really good job most of the time. It is also a system that is easy to work with. The rules and ratings are clear for developers, publishers, sales, and consumer. Why can't we use a tool we have?
If rumors are correct, and it launches at a sub-$200 price (yes, even $199.95) then I think these things will fly off the shelves.
I'm not an economist, but it looks like the buying power of the average US consumer isn't going to improve in the next year. People are more likely to take a chance on a $200 box then a $400 (or $600).
Video games DO have a rating system that is as good, if not better then the one used for movies and TV.
I wouldn't be upset if they wanted to keep M and Ao rated games out of the hands of minors. The problem is, they (CA government) wants their own rating system. So, if the ESRB says a game is rated T, and I sell it to a 16 year old, their parents can say "This game is too violent" and I'll get sued.
> I assume there are laws, other than the first amendment, that restrict access to sexual movies to adults.
>
Don't assume, look it up. I think you will be surprised.
Common mistake. I thought the same thing until these bills started popping up.
I think the fact that most people think the same thing is why they can pass laws like this ("Hey, if movies have to follow these rules, shouldn't games?").
If Scenario B happen more often maybe the project managers would learn to write a feasible schedule.
My experience has been that too many project managers take the fact that they can always fall back on Scenario A (death march). In fact, some special a-holes actually schedule the death march from the beginning.
I agree with you that this is the "right thing to do" but, as anybody who's dealt with SOE can tell you, game companies don't always do the "right thing".
I think giving them credit for thinking in the long term and not squeezing every cent they can from their loyal users is worthy of praise. To me, praising companies that respect their clients is a no-brainer.
I use to feel the same way but, after years of paying for power, phone, internet, and cable every month, I'm use to buying non-tangible items.
They would have to cost a lot less than the boxed versions however. I might buy one or two songs on iTunes but, if I want an entire album I'll buy the CD unless I can save a lot of money. With new CDs selling at $14, you'd have to be able to buy all the music for $5 online to make it worth it.
Slashdot Mirror
Hell, when I buy my coffee from a local coffee house, the cup has a car ad on it.
Welcome to the REAL WORLD Mr. Anderson.
An American was backpacking across the highlands, when he came across a small village where he decided to spend the night.
Upon entering the local pub that evening for some drinks with the locals, he found himself in a conversation with one particularly drunk and indignant individual.
"Ya see that fence out there?" The old man asked the backpacker. "I built that fence with me own hands. But ya think they call me MacGregor the fence builder? No!"
"And that church out there. I hoisted the bell up to the top with me own hands. But ya think they call me MacGregor the church builder? No!"
And that bridge. I put it together stone by stone. But ya think they call me MacGregor the bridge builder? No!"
"But ya screw one goat..."
For the most part the ESRB has done a great job rating games but most everybody only remembers them for "Hot Coffee".
You screw ONE goat...
>"I've had folks at GameStop tell me that the PS3 might still make s "surprise" arrival by the end of this year.
>
IGN Reporter: "PS3 may ship before XMas! I got the word from Angry Bob at GameStop, and confirmation from tprime on Slashdot!"
Oh, and it isn't all about you. Just so you know. ;)
This is the future as the big companies see it. With bandwidth being so cheap, and so much of their product being little more than 0's and 1's, they feel they need to do something to continue making a buck.
I'm not happy with it, but I can also see why they are doing it.
And, if it works, I think we should make Jennifer Government required reading for all future marketing classes...
Don't forget, Microsoft is known for its big mistakes but also for the fact that it learns from them. They learned a lot from the first XBox. Expect to see all new mistakes this time. ;) But never underestimate them...
IGN Talks Games Industry Salaries (On October 20th, 2005 with 348 comments)
Jack Thompson Under Investigation (On October 20th, 2005 with 214 comments)
TransGaming Releases Fast Software 3D Rendering (On October 19th, 2005 with 256 comments)
Nintendo & McDonalds Providing WiFi (On October 18th, 2005 with 296 comments)
You are looking at a lull between storms right now. You'll see 1000's of comments once the next next-gen consoles are released.
Am I the only one that got excited reading this? Microsoft expects to have at least two games ready by launch!!!
The California law, as far as I can tell, doesn't even tell me who "they" are. Nor does it clearly tell me how "they" will judge the content. Can I have "them" judge the content before I release the game? Or do I just release the game and hope that "they" don't find the violence too hard for kids?
ESRB may not be perfect, but they've done a really good job most of the time. It is also a system that is easy to work with. The rules and ratings are clear for developers, publishers, sales, and consumer. Why can't we use a tool we have?
I'm not an economist, but it looks like the buying power of the average US consumer isn't going to improve in the next year. People are more likely to take a chance on a $200 box then a $400 (or $600).
Really? I must be on some REAL powerful drugs then. ;)
>
You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps.
I wouldn't be upset if they wanted to keep M and Ao rated games out of the hands of minors. The problem is, they (CA government) wants their own rating system. So, if the ESRB says a game is rated T, and I sell it to a 16 year old, their parents can say "This game is too violent" and I'll get sued.
> I assume there are laws, other than the first amendment, that restrict access to sexual movies to adults.
>
Don't assume, look it up. I think you will be surprised.
Today's games already have a much better rating system then any movie or music CD. Why do we have to add another one?
I think the fact that most people think the same thing is why they can pass laws like this ("Hey, if movies have to follow these rules, shouldn't games?").
My experience has been that too many project managers take the fact that they can always fall back on Scenario A (death march). In fact, some special a-holes actually schedule the death march from the beginning.
Thank you for saving me all that time. Can I hire you for the next "Dog and Pony" show I have to go to?
I think giving them credit for thinking in the long term and not squeezing every cent they can from their loyal users is worthy of praise. To me, praising companies that respect their clients is a no-brainer.
They would have to cost a lot less than the boxed versions however. I might buy one or two songs on iTunes but, if I want an entire album I'll buy the CD unless I can save a lot of money. With new CDs selling at $14, you'd have to be able to buy all the music for $5 online to make it worth it.