Why I'll never by an XBOX - read this article

[DaveSimmons]

The quote from an MS spokesman that annoyed me (from the GDC conference I think) was that the micropayments could include items to "give you an edge" in online games.

In other words, you're playing a racing game online, and the player who paid extra money wins over the better driver. Then you have pay MS yourself to level the playing field.

Totally unfair for any kind of player-vs-player games.

 

[jdub1107]

It's a good idea if the stuff you can buy is stuff that you can also attain yourself in the game, although then how would they generate $5 mil since I doubt most gamers would pay for something that they could get themselves over time. But if they're selling items that only the storefront has then that sucks for the true gamers. I guess we'll see how this goes.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: mugs
That's actually a great idea

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The quote from an MS spokesman that annoyed me (from the GDC conference I think) was that the micropayments could include items to "give you an edge" in online games.

In other words, you're playing a racing game online, and the player who paid extra money wins over the better driver. Then you have pay MS yourself to level the playing field.

Totally unfair for any kind of player-vs-player games.

This kills the concept of "fair play". Ridiculous. I hope PC games don't follow in that trend. :|

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The quote from an MS spokesman that annoyed me (from the GDC conference I think) was that the micropayments could include items to "give you an edge" in online games.

In other words, you're playing a racing game online, and the player who paid extra money wins over the better driver. Then you have pay MS yourself to level the playing field.

Totally unfair for any kind of player-vs-player games.

Ya, that much I have a problem with. If it's like buying "cheats" to pass levels in single players, or buying a new paint job on your car then it's cool. But if it's buying a super semi-auto sniper rifle in a game where everyone else has a 9mm pistol (with no chance to get another weapon unless they buy it), then that's just lame and a friggin rip off.

 

[Mo0o]

If you hate it so much then dont buy xbox. If enough people feel the same way you do then MS will probably change their policies.

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: Jehovah

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The quote from an MS spokesman that annoyed me (from the GDC conference I think) was that the micropayments could include items to "give you an edge" in online games.

In other words, you're playing a racing game online, and the player who paid extra money wins over the better driver. Then you have pay MS yourself to level the playing field.

Totally unfair for any kind of player-vs-player games.

This kills the concept of "fair play". Ridiculous. I hope PC games don't follow in that trend. :|

Well its taking qoutes out of context. It allows people who dont have the time to put in a lot of hours playing games(people with lives) to have the full enjoyment of the game. You can either log the hours to get XXX it or XXX skill or pay for it. This DOES NOT propose there will be pay only items.

 

[blurredvision]

I don't mind something to this effect, making people pay for little stuff. BUT, if they want to do this, they had better not go any higher than the $50 price tag new games carry like they say will most likely happen.

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I don't mind something to this effect, making people pay for little stuff. BUT, if they want to do this, they had better not go any higher than the $50 price tag new games carry like they say will most likely happen.

Considering items in MMOGs have gone for thousands. I agree, super high end items that are extremely rare should not be for purchase. Only medium to high.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Who gives a sh!t? I'll still buy an XBox 2.

 

[J0hnny]

Have you guys ever played gunbound. That has been going on forever.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Modeps
I swear to God, sometimes I think this forum is full of a bunch of commies.

:thumbsup:

they want everything free

 

[Literati]

How much would it cost to get a pair of scissors out of my arm?

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Modeps
I swear to God, sometimes I think this forum is full of a bunch of commies.

:thumbsup:

they want everything free

SHARE WIF US COMRADE! MAKE FOR BETTER SOCIETY! HAVE SOME BORST UN VODKA!

 

[Toasthead]

yeah because sony and nintendo will NEVER do this either

 

[EyeMWing]

Console--;

I don't own an xbox, never planned on buying an xbox2. Now it's a certainty. I own two PS2's, probably won't buy a PS3 at this rate. Even the great games aren't that good.

 

[vi edit]

If it's for cosmetic value or to help create a unique identity, that's fine. If you can pay for functional enhancements that as mentioned "give you an edge" it's out of line.

The only way I'd support it is if there were special arenas/servers/ect that kept the "pure" players seperated from "paid for players".

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Modeps
I swear to God, sometimes I think this forum is full of a bunch of commies.

:thumbsup:

they want everything free

It's a lifestyle choice. Either you fritter money away on stupid crap like this, or you do the unthinkable and be financially responsible. I remember when, in order to have unique crap in games, you had to WORKYOURFVCKINGBUTTOFF. That was back in UO. This will detract from the game experience, because no longer will it be as much a game to become what you want to, it'll become a social thing backlit by the "game".

 

[rahvin]

If you don't want to do this don't, if enough people do the same as you the idea dies because no one responds to it.

Jesus you people bitch just like the ones that bitch about internet download limits and other stuff like this. It's simple, vote with your wallet, if you do and everyone else does the consumer wins. But if you choose to buy it then bitch that it should be illegal you are nothing more than a twit.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: rahvin
If you don't want to do this don't, if enough people do the same as you the idea dies because no one responds to it.

Jesus you people bitch just like the ones that bitch about internet download limits and other stuff like this. It's simple, vote with your wallet, if you do and everyone else does the consumer wins. But if you choose to buy it then bitch that it should be illegal you are nothing more than a twit.

Your mentality is irksome as well. How many times does it get where you don't have a choice but to use a certain company. For instance if you want broadband, lots of places you either pay for whatever is available or not. If you don't like the rules of the prevailing company, your only way to pay with your wallet is to not have any service at all - which for many isn't and option. It is like a monopoly. We'd all love to vote with our wallets, but often there is no other choice.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: digitalsm

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I don't mind something to this effect, making people pay for little stuff. BUT, if they want to do this, they had better not go any higher than the $50 price tag new games carry like they say will most likely happen.

Considering items in MMOGs have gone for thousands. I agree, super high end items that are extremely rare should not be for purchase. Only medium to high.

Oh no, I meant that they've been talking about raising the regular price of $50 on the next gen games for triple-A titles to $60 and even $70. What I'm saying is that if they want to charge me $10 more for next-gen titles, then I don't want to see this crap of them charging for extra. However, charge me the regular $50, THEN try to milk me of my money.

 

[angrymaxx]

I wonder how long it will be until people hack their gamesaves to add these items regardless. I'm assuming it hasn't happened with MMOs because all the account information is stored server side. I'm guessing this only applies to online enabled multiplayer games because any client side save info can and will likely be hacked.

 

[oboeguy]

What concerns me is that they probably will not open things to free content (such as jersey / shoe / face patches freely availble right now for NBA Live on the PC).

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The quote from an MS spokesman that annoyed me (from the GDC conference I think) was that the micropayments could include items to "give you an edge" in online games.

In other words, you're playing a racing game online, and the player who paid extra money wins over the better driver. Then you have pay MS yourself to level the playing field.

Totally unfair for any kind of player-vs-player games.

How odd of a perspective to present, when previously, MS held a very hard-line "no cheating" stance for online gaming via XBL. Isn't this more or less exactly like a pay-per-view GameGenie-like feature?

Major :thumbsdown:

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: angrymaxx
I wonder how long it will be until people hack their gamesaves to add these items regardless. I'm assuming it hasn't happened with MMOs because all the account information is stored server side. I'm guessing this only applies to online enabled multiplayer games because any client side save info can and will likely be hacked.

Yes. I'm wondering what the legal issues will be, several years down the line. Look at it this way, you currently pay for the console hardware. You can legally mod it as much as you desire. However, you have to pay for the XBL online service (or any other), and in the TOS, they can choose to ban you or not allow you to connect, unless you consent to their scanning of your console system's contents and hardware. That's legal too.

What gets really thorny is, if these "virtual items" (completely arbitrarily software abstractions), are normally set up (in terms of a business model by some company), to be paid for with "real money" - and you hack them into your game-saves using a GameGenie or something - is there a "real" legal monetary loss there for the company or not? (Especially if it's just data files, stored on your privately-owned hardware.)

Will the existing concepts of copyright law, be extended to protect against the electronic theft of virtual items, when those items are sold and/or can be paid for with money? What about the right of resale of those items? If you paid your money to acquire them, then why can't you resell them likewise? Aren't they "yours"? I expect there to be lawsuits over this sort of thing, eventually. It will be a wierd world indeed, when MMORPG-like "virtual property" is potentially protected or regulated by law, like real property is. Will that ever happen? Who knows. But if MS feels it necessary to prop up their business models, you can bet that they will be special laws passed in their favor, just for them. (Just like the recent COA garbage. Single-party special-interest laws that take away rights from the majority, are WRONG WRONG WRONG.)