There is totally a difference between paying $600 for a video card that is part of a computer and $600 for a gaming console. Of course you don't need a $600 card for your pc unless you're gaming, but (unless your blind and it doesn't matter) you'd be hard pressed to use your computer without a video card. Plus, if you're spending that much on a video card - you either don't upgrade it very often or do just the opposite and sell your old card and upgrade every year.
Sure, both the PS3 and your PC allow you to watch DVD's, surf the web, and play games - but at least on your PC you probably don't have any DRM restrictions or hard-drive limitations.
I could afford a PS3, sure, and I have a HD set too, but in my head, the notion of dropping (let's be realistic) $800 bucks for the system, cables, and a game is insane.
Joe Gamer doesn't care about E3 press releases, or some interview at the (insert city) Game Show. He knows his PS2 kicks ass and he heard from a buddy that the PS3 is coming out this year.
"Woah! I gotta get that!" he says...
That is what the average gamer is thinking. Sony is proving themselves to be arrogant and is completely shooting themselves in the foot...but maybe not to thier detriment.
The PS3 will sell out at lauch. There is no question Sony will sell a ton of systems - but I think it is overdelivering the goods. I feel the same way about Xbox, but at least they aren't shoving HD-DVD down everyone's throat.
The Wii is going to be the best choice for right now - the PS3 or Xbox are the right choice in about - oh, $300 worth of price drops...which should take enough time to ensure that most folks have some kind of high-def tv.
like me - sigh. I have a nice 50" dlp - 1080i. At least it has hdmi - god willing it is compliant with the new hdmi standard. I got this about a year and a half ago - there were 1080p sets, but they were about double the price.
not to mention, everytime this subject comes up, there is a big discussion on whats 1080i vs 1080p and if hdmi supports "true" progressive mode and how refresh rates make all the difference...
samsung should have a trade in. i would hate to make this the "basement tv".
Agreed, and I'm a thrifty PC gamer, so I never have the latest and greatest hardware.
However, your argument was that it cost $50 for a new PC game, but consoles were $50 plus the price of a console. You aren't factoring in the cost of the computer.
I think there are very few individuals who only use a computer for gaming and nothing else - so most folks have a PC for "internet stuff" and gaming.
Your average gamer, the Madden 07 type, is not going to build thier own customized PC - they are going to buy the latest Aliendellware.
I just can't believe that PC gaming is cheaper than console gaming...
(I should add the words "right now" to the end of that sentence since the PS3 might change things).
I go to a lot of concerts. Hell, I'm flying to Hawaii this Dec to see U2 and Pearl Jam. I went to Bonnaroo this year. I went to Live 8 in London last year. I go to probably 15 - 20 other smaller shows over the year. If that makes me qualified to comment, I'm not sure...
Aside from the really small club shows, there is no way that $10 or $20 tickets would be profitable. And even then, only barely.
Picture band touring for 40 nights at venues that hold 20K people at an average of $40 a ticket. Somehow, they manage to sell out every show. Thats $800K per night.
Sure, the artist is making bank, no question - but for shows with a lot of stage production, there are more people to pay. Plus the venue isnt a charity - they charge for use (and it's probably very expensive due to greed and (probably) legal issues. Not to mention transportation and lodging. And managers, accountants, personal assistants, roadies, unions, taxes, police, etc etc all getting thier piece. My guess is that the band makes in the tens of thousands each night...which is divided into even smaller chunks depending on how the band is structured - i.e. *insert latest pop solo artist* makes a fortune, while bandmates can pay rent vs a band that just splits everything equally.
Even if you make $20K per night, in a 40 night tour, thats $800K before taxes...so figure around half a million. Less than $1 for each ticket sold goes to you. Even if this is completely underestimating things - lets say they make $100K per bandmember, that's still just $5 per ticket sold.
If they doubled the number of shows, they would also double the costs associated with having the show...so they can't very well charge less.
Glad you saw that too. I remember reading an article a few years ago where the president of nintendo said, in no uncertain words, that they would always be in the hardware business and never be a 3rd party developer.
Just how much space will major retailers give the Wii? I would imagine that it would somehow be related to the past success of Nintendo products in the marketplace.
Could the Wii's potential in the market be affected by small shelf-space allocation due to the limited success of the GC?
This makes me think I've been looking at this the wrong way. I think the Wii is going to offer innovation above and beyond the competition. In a perfect world, this would translate into big sales.
I suppose Nintendo can counter this by a huge advertising blitz. As far as I know, they are already involved in one. Hell, a few weeks (months?) ago I saw a Nintendo ad in Glamour (my gf's copy...obviously).
Ridiculous amount? I suppose that is in the eye of the buyer...
When I bought my HDTV, it was not so I could continue watching stuff on the low-res channels. And they don't make normal TV look bad - it looks bad on it's own.
However, I agree, I look forward to when normal tv is phased out - HD is really, really, nice. ill probably sell my existing 1080i and get a new, cheap 1080p system...well, assuming that i can actually connect a 1080p signal to it.
A thousand other people have made this point, and have been refuted with this:
Just because Mario or Link is in a game, does not mean it is just a derivite sequel. In fact, those characters are there to help sell the game - which, typically, has new gameplay models that might otherwise go unnoticed without some star attraction.
i.e. Mario Golf is not equal to Mario 64 is not equal to New SMB is not equal to Mario Kart...
I don't think I've heard anyone mention DVD ability as a downfall this late in the game. You really want a PS2 as your primary DVD player?
When it comes to game availability in the UK or Europe, I have no idea - but even if you can't get them in a store, can't you buy them online?
And as for the switching wires bit - they sell "hubs" for video connections. They are great, especially if you want to have several consoles hooked up at once. In the US they are about $20 bucks and, imo, a huge convenience.
I dont want to stick up for Ticketmaster, but its *free* to have them mailed to you via normal post.
That said, I spend, oh, probably somewhere around $1500 a year going to concerts - mainly through TM.
They should either restrict tickets to the actual buyer and allow returns in case you can't make it or offer some incentive to folks like me that do a lot of business with them.
I'm sure that what you said all works out, but I'm sorry, people just don't analyze things that closely! We are talking about a video game system that is supposed to provide entertainment, not buying a car and rationalizing the expense.
Sure, the console's expense is small over 5 years, but it's a lot right now - which is what's important to 90% of the people buying a console. Thankfully, I can afford a PS3 (I have no plans on actually buying one...) - but to your average Mom Twokids, forget it!
I plan on buying some Nintendo stock soon, because they are going to win this one. No doubt about it. In America, the topseller is almost never the most expensive offering.
Re:Was it necessary to use the Lord's name in vane
on
Everyone Hates UMD
·
· Score: 1
My point is that I don't want to pay extra for the BR. When DVD's came out, it was all newfangled and scary. Now, it's just some, more expensive, shiny discs.
I don't want to pay for a BR player right now. Not as a stand alone unit or as part of something else.
And unless you missed the first sentence, I have a 50" DLP. I am the target audience for HD-DVD. I don't want it until there is just a single choice.
Slashdot Mirror
There is totally a difference between paying $600 for a video card that is part of a computer and $600 for a gaming console. Of course you don't need a $600 card for your pc unless you're gaming, but (unless your blind and it doesn't matter) you'd be hard pressed to use your computer without a video card. Plus, if you're spending that much on a video card - you either don't upgrade it very often or do just the opposite and sell your old card and upgrade every year.
Sure, both the PS3 and your PC allow you to watch DVD's, surf the web, and play games - but at least on your PC you probably don't have any DRM restrictions or hard-drive limitations.
I could afford a PS3, sure, and I have a HD set too, but in my head, the notion of dropping (let's be realistic) $800 bucks for the system, cables, and a game is insane.
Joe Gamer doesn't care about E3 press releases, or some interview at the (insert city) Game Show. He knows his PS2 kicks ass and he heard from a buddy that the PS3 is coming out this year.
"Woah! I gotta get that!" he says...
That is what the average gamer is thinking. Sony is proving themselves to be arrogant and is completely shooting themselves in the foot...but maybe not to thier detriment.
The PS3 will sell out at lauch. There is no question Sony will sell a ton of systems - but I think it is overdelivering the goods. I feel the same way about Xbox, but at least they aren't shoving HD-DVD down everyone's throat.
The Wii is going to be the best choice for right now - the PS3 or Xbox are the right choice in about - oh, $300 worth of price drops...which should take enough time to ensure that most folks have some kind of high-def tv.
like me - sigh. I have a nice 50" dlp - 1080i. At least it has hdmi - god willing it is compliant with the new hdmi standard. I got this about a year and a half ago - there were 1080p sets, but they were about double the price.
not to mention, everytime this subject comes up, there is a big discussion on whats 1080i vs 1080p and if hdmi supports "true" progressive mode and how refresh rates make all the difference...
samsung should have a trade in. i would hate to make this the "basement tv".
oops, wrote too soon - thought of another - the "super monkey ball" series is essentially a Dole banana ad...
Dont forget about a more recent advergame - Beetle Adventure Racing for the N64. Quite a great racer, imo...
Did Sega or Atari have the CD first? There was that wacky add-on to the Jaguar that used CD's - I'm not sure when that was.
:)
Did the Turbografx 16 have a CD option?
And of course, don't forget the Phillips (CD-i?) thing with those terrible unlicensed Zelda games
You should've posted using your login, not AC. You made a valid point and actually said some positive things about the PS3.
However, most folks don't have $1700+ bucks to spend on a console. (you have to figure a game and sales tax in that total).
Sure, they offer a low-rent bluray player and top shelf kit... But is their offering actually a reflection of what people want?
"medievalists"
I love it.
I gotta use that sometime... Too bad it's today and not last week since the Jehova's Witnesses showed up at my door over the weekend.
Agreed, and I'm a thrifty PC gamer, so I never have the latest and greatest hardware.
However, your argument was that it cost $50 for a new PC game, but consoles were $50 plus the price of a console. You aren't factoring in the cost of the computer.
I think there are very few individuals who only use a computer for gaming and nothing else - so most folks have a PC for "internet stuff" and gaming.
Your average gamer, the Madden 07 type, is not going to build thier own customized PC - they are going to buy the latest Aliendellware.
I just can't believe that PC gaming is cheaper than console gaming...
(I should add the words "right now" to the end of that sentence since the PS3 might change things).
"ART is not some magic invisible soul cream. If you are selling your art, then you are selling your thoughts"
I agree with your post except for this bit. The only thing that any of us really has is our time.
We are compensating someone for the time it took for them to apply thier talents and inspiration and produce a marketable item.
I go to a lot of concerts. Hell, I'm flying to Hawaii this Dec to see U2 and Pearl Jam. I went to Bonnaroo this year. I went to Live 8 in London last year. I go to probably 15 - 20 other smaller shows over the year. If that makes me qualified to comment, I'm not sure...
Aside from the really small club shows, there is no way that $10 or $20 tickets would be profitable. And even then, only barely.
Picture band touring for 40 nights at venues that hold 20K people at an average of $40 a ticket. Somehow, they manage to sell out every show. Thats $800K per night.
Sure, the artist is making bank, no question - but for shows with a lot of stage production, there are more people to pay. Plus the venue isnt a charity - they charge for use (and it's probably very expensive due to greed and (probably) legal issues. Not to mention transportation and lodging. And managers, accountants, personal assistants, roadies, unions, taxes, police, etc etc all getting thier piece. My guess is that the band makes in the tens of thousands each night...which is divided into even smaller chunks depending on how the band is structured - i.e. *insert latest pop solo artist* makes a fortune, while bandmates can pay rent vs a band that just splits everything equally.
Even if you make $20K per night, in a 40 night tour, thats $800K before taxes...so figure around half a million. Less than $1 for each ticket sold goes to you. Even if this is completely underestimating things - lets say they make $100K per bandmember, that's still just $5 per ticket sold.
If they doubled the number of shows, they would also double the costs associated with having the show...so they can't very well charge less.
"the Nintendo Cable Modem... err, I mean Wii. "
:)
that was teh funny.
Glad you saw that too. I remember reading an article a few years ago where the president of nintendo said, in no uncertain words, that they would always be in the hardware business and never be a 3rd party developer.
I'm always amazed at how much you Brits get screwed on game prices. Brain Age is $19.99 here in the States, or less than £11. (http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=19. 99&from=USD&to=GBP&submit=Convert)
How in the world do they justify that?
When I got a Genesis, I made sure it was the one with the Altered Beast pack-in, not Sonic.
:)
I first played AB at Wiers Beach in NH - you know, the funspot! where all the new retro-gaming records are made.
"Rise from your grave"!!!
You raise a very interesting question.
Just how much space will major retailers give the Wii? I would imagine that it would somehow be related to the past success of Nintendo products in the marketplace.
Could the Wii's potential in the market be affected by small shelf-space allocation due to the limited success of the GC?
This makes me think I've been looking at this the wrong way. I think the Wii is going to offer innovation above and beyond the competition. In a perfect world, this would translate into big sales.
I suppose Nintendo can counter this by a huge advertising blitz. As far as I know, they are already involved in one. Hell, a few weeks (months?) ago I saw a Nintendo ad in Glamour (my gf's copy...obviously).
Ridiculous amount? I suppose that is in the eye of the buyer...
When I bought my HDTV, it was not so I could continue watching stuff on the low-res channels. And they don't make normal TV look bad - it looks bad on it's own.
However, I agree, I look forward to when normal tv is phased out - HD is really, really, nice. ill probably sell my existing 1080i and get a new, cheap 1080p system...well, assuming that i can actually connect a 1080p signal to it.
A thousand other people have made this point, and have been refuted with this:
Just because Mario or Link is in a game, does not mean it is just a derivite sequel. In fact, those characters are there to help sell the game - which, typically, has new gameplay models that might otherwise go unnoticed without some star attraction.
i.e. Mario Golf is not equal to Mario 64 is not equal to New SMB is not equal to Mario Kart...
I don't think I've heard anyone mention DVD ability as a downfall this late in the game. You really want a PS2 as your primary DVD player?
When it comes to game availability in the UK or Europe, I have no idea - but even if you can't get them in a store, can't you buy them online?
And as for the switching wires bit - they sell "hubs" for video connections. They are great, especially if you want to have several consoles hooked up at once. In the US they are about $20 bucks and, imo, a huge convenience.
In fact, they use to do just this - they had it set up on ebay - this is a link to the feedback of the account: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeed back&userid=getaccess&item=-1&frm=1883
looks like they stopped in 04.
I dont want to stick up for Ticketmaster, but its *free* to have them mailed to you via normal post.
That said, I spend, oh, probably somewhere around $1500 a year going to concerts - mainly through TM.
They should either restrict tickets to the actual buyer and allow returns in case you can't make it or offer some incentive to folks like me that do a lot of business with them.
I'm sure that what you said all works out, but I'm sorry, people just don't analyze things that closely! We are talking about a video game system that is supposed to provide entertainment, not buying a car and rationalizing the expense.
Sure, the console's expense is small over 5 years, but it's a lot right now - which is what's important to 90% of the people buying a console. Thankfully, I can afford a PS3 (I have no plans on actually buying one...) - but to your average Mom Twokids, forget it!
I plan on buying some Nintendo stock soon, because they are going to win this one. No doubt about it. In America, the topseller is almost never the most expensive offering.
hey! you stole my post! :)
c id=15373837
http://games.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=186275&
I'm an athiest, and I agree. And believe me, I curse like a sailor. It's out of place in a /. title about UMD's...
My point is that I don't want to pay extra for the BR. When DVD's came out, it was all newfangled and scary. Now, it's just some, more expensive, shiny discs.
I don't want to pay for a BR player right now. Not as a stand alone unit or as part of something else.
And unless you missed the first sentence, I have a 50" DLP. I am the target audience for HD-DVD. I don't want it until there is just a single choice.