For a Few Dollars More

From IGN.com: "The Xbox and the GameCube are dead. The PlayStation 2 is dying. The next generation is upon us. And it's going to cost you, but by means you've never dreamt of.

You can start by thanking Microsoft. Bill Gates' company has spent the last three years working on a new financial system, Xbox Live Marketplace, which will be the model for many other console manufacturers to come. Xbox Live Marketplace has introduced an excellent idea, the micro-transaction on an intranet, a closed system built around the console gamer. And we love it.

The thing is, Microsoft really hasn't gotten started. No one really has. Other companies have been figuring out ways to make money for years. Banks charge you for using another bank's ATM. eBay takes a percentage when you make a purchase, and Amazon gets a little for each CD, book, or t-shirt you buy. But console manufacturers have finally come around to the idea of making real money, and gamers are going to love it like they never had before....

PS: This editorial is a satire...

[eques judicii]

Yea, somethings are bad... but there are some good things to the marketplace... episodic content and xbla...not to mention the wealth of free downloads (demos and the what-not) it really is EA (those evil bast4rds) that will screw everyone... most developers probably won't.

[FordGTGuy]

you do know the Microsoft doesn't decide on the prices of the content put on the marketplace. Also its a choice system if you want it and think its worth buy it but if you don't they noone is forcing you to buy it. Not the mention the amount of free content put onto the marketplace.

[DJ]

So how the author thinks that the "PS2 is dying" is a bit perplexing. The point about microtransactions is pretty good though, and while consumers have 'choice', they never really exercise a lot of the choices they're given. Yeah, everybody could stop driving their cars any day of the week in order to force gas prices to sink, but it'll never happen.

Hopefully Sony is taking at least some control of microtransactions and ensuring that developers adhere to certain pricing rules.

[kewlkat007]

No need for damage control..the PS2 is dying, nuff said. Plus it's like $100 bucks so finally some poor peeps can afford it. There will be less development for it as it slowly dies. On the other hand developers are starting to focus PS3, 360 and Wii systems. As you see it's gonna be pricey for small firms to make great games. Nevermind EA and all the other big Developers with lots of cash. Probally be more cash to develop for th ePS3 as it might take more time so there ya go. If the game doesn't do well then it's over for small developing firms.

[TheXgamerLive]

WADF!

[jagjones]

Well there is so much in your article that really doesn't hold water...the PS2 dying is perhaps the biggest but for the life of me you and Mickey Mouse must inhabit a fantasy world...yes there will be micro costs but to go down the road you suggest would be suicide for any game console - per bullet good grief. Greediness will cause a consumer backlash that will ring loud and clear in the ears of the industry. Fine line then to tread, yes I agree that their will be new costs but not to the extent you propose. It will be interesting to see how far across that line the industry will lean...

[The Milkman]

It was bound to happen. You make the having to pay a different bank to withdraw money sound like a new thing. Yea but your going to have to watch out for those rip off developers like EAs little scam because its going to happen. The Xbox 360 is not going to be the only one with a marketplace.

[THE TRUTH]

The fact that MS uses points instead of just dollar values can confuse gamers as to exactly what the price of items they are buying. If they were really trying to service gamers better I think they would use dollar values, making you but points means that you you have already paid MS before you actually bought anything. I love having free demos but its just a matter of time before game developers take advantage of is gamers by not fully completeing games and charging is extra for content that should be in the game from day one!

Also the PS2 is far from dead and some gamers would say PS2 presents the best value for the money, I mean the PS2 has a huge amount of AAA at cheap prices and in all genre of gaming, that doesn't even include the AAA that are coming like God Of War 2. Sony always does a great job of supporting its older consoles and not leaving their customers without something really worthwhile to look forward to. So let's just not pronounce PS2 dead just yet its still the best selling console and holding the #1 spot with an iron fist

[kmis87]

Usinga microcurrency for microtransactions is by and far the best way to implement that kind of online system. If for every purchase of 99 cents or whatever, a separate deduction had to be made from a credit card account, the price of having hundreds of small deductions would cost profits to decline readily. Having points that can be purchased for a set amount like $20 lets people spend that money over any period of time while still only having that initial transaction of actual money from the account. If Sony decides to forgo using a microcurrency system, it would actually be pretty troubling. It would be nice if the currency matched up with our currency more, like 100 points for 1 dollar (1 point = 1 cent) but that would still confuse people in other countries just as much I guess.

Also, while the ps2 is by no means dead yet, the fact that it is in decline is indisputable. There are still some great games I'm looking forward to on it, FFXII, God of War 2, Guitar Hero 2, Rogue Galaxy, and some others, but the list of new games coming out is thinning, and developers are starting to focus on the new systems. Next year we'll see the decline of the ps2 even more clearly.

[Captain Tuttle]

For being a satirical piece...

[Boink]

but I don't think it will get to the point that he mentioned. I don't like what sony is doing with grand turismo, I think that takes it to far, and I think gamers will respond accordingly, much like they did with the horse armor in oblivion, fanboys bought it, but the rest didn't.

Marketplace is like everything else, if it's worth the money, people will buy it, if it's not, they won't. The useless saint's row pack is more proof.

[Ravenator529]

but it is a mere step in the direction of digital media distribution.

Marketplace has been huge for the "Live" service. Is everything worth the money? No, its not. But there are some things that are. (Mainly arcade content).

And I also love the point structure for the service as well. Why? Because it keeps me from having to put my credit card info onto my XBox. I would much rather purchase a $20 1600 point card from Gamestop then throw my credit card number out there. Plus it gives people the option to give someone "points" as a gift.

And to the Doom comment. IMO $10 for the full version of Doom and multiplayer isn't so bad. I loved Doom and still love it as of today!

But if you only wanted a taste, you could easily download the demo. Every arcade game has a demo, so you don't just go blindly making arcade purchases.

IMO paying for picture packs and gamer pics is stupid, so I don't buy them. But some people like to customize their 360's. To me, its not that important.

Yes, companies like EA are tryin to exploit the popularity of the service, but in reality all you have to do is not buy the crap they put out.

Consumables is a whole other issue. Lets hope that this idea was thrown out to the public to see the reaction. And lets hope they see the reaction is not good!

[andy capps]

Great article. Valve is going the right way in episodic content and has been pioneering that for several years, the other companies are following suit. Downloading episodic content like Valve does it is one thing, downloading an additional level that should have been included in the game is something else entirely. If publishers release a map pack or something that adds something substantial to the gaming experience, then 5 bucks may be worth it. Paying for cars and tracks is not the way to go (if the rumor is true anyway).

[Mikey_Gee]

Take the MS value in Points, multiply it by .02 and that is what you are paying
-----------
The 1250 pt card with tax runs approx $21.64
This is the number I used to calculate and did a bit of rounding off
--------------
So, Doom @ 800 MS points cost me $16 (Cdn)
.02 X 800 = $16

Expensive ?????

Kind of, but you know what .... "I KNEW WHAT THE COST WAS AND WHAT I WAS GETTIN" and guess what ..... I was good with that. It brought me back to my Biology class cutting days to play Doom in the PC Lab and has given me more than $16 worth of pleasure.
HOWEVER, as was said .... devs like "EA" .. hmm, these are the assholes you need to watch for. As long as "YOU KNOW" what you are getting and for how much and are cool with it ......... than I see "NO ISSUE" .Of course if Devs get retarded stupid (ie sell a half complete game and you BUY the rest) then I will pack up my consoles (as will many other I am sure) and you will have a "Oh Sh!t, what did we do" comment from the devs.

Cheers

PS

I LOVE how folks are always so FAST to blame "Bill Gates"

Really kind of funny and silly at the same time.

Look at your bank machines .... YOU PAY to get YOUR MONEY out

[Dusk]

I think what he meant by that comment is that developer support for the PS2 is dying. There are a lot less games coming out now than before and shortly there will be none. The gamecube and Xbox already have practically none.

Yes, for all you eager to say the PS2 is alive and kicking, it is still selling. Without new games for it, however, it will eventually stop. Hence the phrase, 'the PS2 is dying'. It's benefit, however, is that it has a huge library of games and is dirt cheap now. For those that aren't current with video games or can't afford to be, it's a good deal. Also, many PS2 owners have large libraries of PS2 games. The PS2's optical device is notorious for crapping out. Since the PS3 is pricey, going to be unavailable for awhile for most, and is a little rocky when it comes to stability (ie. overheating, cell problems, etc.), it makes since to go ahead a buy another PS2 to replace the broken one. It's cheap enough. You can continue to play the large library of games and then buy a PS3 later, if that's what you want to do. However, without new games, people will eventually lose interest.

This author is a little paranoind when it comes to DLC. True, companies like EA are trying to gouge the consumer, but not every company is like that. Plus, if consumers don't buy it, the price will lower. Since gamers can still get great games for retail price, the DLC is not a necessity. I'm a little concerned about GT: HD, however. Personally, I won't buy the game if it's full retail price and you have to buy cars and tracks individually. That model and what EA is doing are both wrong and won't get my dollars.

[ScorpioKyle]

Lately all the people i've had buy ps2's from my work fall into 2 categories. They are either replacing a broken ps2 (sometimes for more than the 2nd time) or finally getting one because it's cheap. for those people, I do suggest the PS2, just because it will be around for longer than the cube or xbox (we dont' even sell original xbox's anymore)

[Daewoodrow]

Yes, the PS2 is dying. It's just dying very very painfully slowly, gargling. You see, there is actually a sub category of people who are always literally a generation late. Not really willing to spend their hard earned money on new fangled technology, they pick up the old gen at a bargain and live off second hand games. There will be a massive drop off in PS2 sales next year, after all the next gen consoles get forced down the public's throat, but the PS3 will - just like the PS1 - continue selling until they cease production.
I mean, today I was in the game store and heard a couple of confused parents discussing the DS with the store attendant, and their teenage son actually asked if they still sell PS1s.

[ScorpioKyle]

yeah, i still get people asking about N64 and PS1 stuff. I had some old lady last winter get angry with me when I told her we do not carry anything for the N64 and could not understand that they havne't made new stuff for it in years. and don't get me started on times when people ask for even older stuff

[Aramis001]

"As soon as you boot up that first level, a little vending machine image should pop up and charge you an entrée fee to the next level. Nothing substantial, of course. But you know, just a few bucks. If they were smart, they'd charge an incremental amount for each new level; that way, the more you play, the more you pay."

Jesus ign, don't give them any ideas!

P.S. Isn't this what sony is doing with GT HD?

[Say's you]

Like Polphony will actually make the players pay the gasoline onl for $4 in real life even they know that would be ridiculous even in the game that would be retarded and in GTA like "cha" you would have to pay your bail to just get out of jail and the people you kill now thats just going over board with realism here.

[Daewoodrow]

I don't understand a word you wrote, but since it's you, and you only have two bubbles, i'm pretty sure I disagree.

[Jakens]

I will buy the downloadable content because it's cool.