We can try to educate people all that we want. However, the real issue is getting people to listen. Most people don't care or are too lazy to really change their habits because it's seen as an inconvenience more than a threat.
Square-Enix doesn't like the idea of the Virtual Console, apparently. They'd rather port or remake older titles to card or disc and collect $40-$50, instead of settling for a "mere" $5.00 to $8.00 for digitally distributed product. It's hard to blame the execs, since Square-Enix can easily crap in a box and sell a million copies of anything with "Final Fantasy," "Dragon Quest," or "Kingdom Hearts" in the title. They've simply trained their fandrones too well.
it's the PS3 that will get all the good high-end Japanese games from Konami, Square/Enix, and the like.
To be honest, I believe you're a bit mistaken. Most developers are jumping ship and making multiplatform games to recoup costs. The reason? It's just too bleeding expensive to release a PS3 game these days, especially with the small userbase. To date, the console hasn't had a million seller, while Wii has gained two (Wii Sports sold 1 million in Japan alone, Zelda: Twilight Princess broke a million worldwide). Square-Enix recently announced that its biggest franchise will be moving to the DS for its next installment. Dragon Quest Swords and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles will be hitting Wii this year. Those three titles alone are enough to sell a ton of Nintendo hardware. The PS3's Final Fantasy titles, on the other hand, won't see the light of day until 2008 at the earliest. If the console continues to perform poorly, I wouldn't be shocked to see the franchise jump to the 360, as well. Zone of the Enders, while an amazing PS2 title, probably won't make it to the PS3. Hideo Kojima, series creator and current copyright holder, has repeatedly expressed his concern toward the PS3 on both the price of development and difficulty of production.
While I'd like to see the PS3 put up a respectable showing, I have to admit that Sony has a lot of work to do if it wants to turn the console's position around.
Actually, it's also fairly easy to find in New England, especially Rhode Island and Massachusetts, due to the high concentration of Portugese residents. However, it's spelled "chourico" here (formally so as well, since the sausage originated in Portugal). I love using it as an accent to pasta sauces, or a side dish with eggs.:-) It adds a wonderful flavor to most recipes that usually can't be matched by your usual spices or marination.
The only issue some man find is the fact that you have to cook it thoroughly or, you're guaranteed to get a new tapeworm for your intestines.
The problem with the strategy of "thinning the market", as you call it, is that the logic itself is flawed. Deliberately under-shipping a product in the face of demand ONLY works if there is no viable alternative. otherwise, people are more than happy to substitute. With Wii hitting stores two days later and the 360 already in the retail stream, any intentional under-shipments will only serve to hurt Sony more than it helps them.
I'm afraid to ask just how many retail employees will look forward to hearing "This game's broken! My kid said that you forgot to put the cars in!" as they greet the coming returns line on that Boxing Day.
Slashdot Mirror
We can try to educate people all that we want. However, the real issue is getting people to listen. Most people don't care or are too lazy to really change their habits because it's seen as an inconvenience more than a threat.
There is no Jack Thompson, only Zool?
Square-Enix doesn't like the idea of the Virtual Console, apparently. They'd rather port or remake older titles to card or disc and collect $40-$50, instead of settling for a "mere" $5.00 to $8.00 for digitally distributed product. It's hard to blame the execs, since Square-Enix can easily crap in a box and sell a million copies of anything with "Final Fantasy," "Dragon Quest," or "Kingdom Hearts" in the title. They've simply trained their fandrones too well.
it's the PS3 that will get all the good high-end Japanese games from Konami, Square/Enix, and the like.
To be honest, I believe you're a bit mistaken. Most developers are jumping ship and making multiplatform games to recoup costs. The reason? It's just too bleeding expensive to release a PS3 game these days, especially with the small userbase. To date, the console hasn't had a million seller, while Wii has gained two (Wii Sports sold 1 million in Japan alone, Zelda: Twilight Princess broke a million worldwide). Square-Enix recently announced that its biggest franchise will be moving to the DS for its next installment. Dragon Quest Swords and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles will be hitting Wii this year. Those three titles alone are enough to sell a ton of Nintendo hardware. The PS3's Final Fantasy titles, on the other hand, won't see the light of day until 2008 at the earliest. If the console continues to perform poorly, I wouldn't be shocked to see the franchise jump to the 360, as well. Zone of the Enders, while an amazing PS2 title, probably won't make it to the PS3. Hideo Kojima, series creator and current copyright holder, has repeatedly expressed his concern toward the PS3 on both the price of development and difficulty of production.
While I'd like to see the PS3 put up a respectable showing, I have to admit that Sony has a lot of work to do if it wants to turn the console's position around.
Actually, it's also fairly easy to find in New England, especially Rhode Island and Massachusetts, due to the high concentration of Portugese residents. However, it's spelled "chourico" here (formally so as well, since the sausage originated in Portugal). I love using it as an accent to pasta sauces, or a side dish with eggs. :-) It adds a wonderful flavor to most recipes that usually can't be matched by your usual spices or marination.
The only issue some man find is the fact that you have to cook it thoroughly or, you're guaranteed to get a new tapeworm for your intestines.
The problem with the strategy of "thinning the market", as you call it, is that the logic itself is flawed. Deliberately under-shipping a product in the face of demand ONLY works if there is no viable alternative. otherwise, people are more than happy to substitute. With Wii hitting stores two days later and the 360 already in the retail stream, any intentional under-shipments will only serve to hurt Sony more than it helps them.
I'm afraid to ask just how many retail employees will look forward to hearing "This game's broken! My kid said that you forgot to put the cars in!" as they greet the coming returns line on that Boxing Day.