GhaleonOne wrote: And Roas, I have to agree with Kiz. In addition, complaints of the price certainly are worthwhile.
You know, I'd said my piece already, and was not really going to say anything else on the topic, because frankly, I had nothing relavent left to say. However, just now in the shower I remembered something from a few days ago that turns out to actually be relavant to the conversation.
So, I have to say I still disagree, and here's why.
So, it was last week, and I was out in town running errands. I pushed my errand runnings later than usual, because I had heard an old buddy was working at the local Gamestops, and I thought I might try to catch him on said day, since that was when he was supposed to be working. So, I went to both stores, and eventually ended up at the final one with no luck in finding my friend on duty. But, I stuck around for a few more minutes, incase he'd been in the back storeroom or something.
Well, as I was pretend browsing, I happened to catch the conversation between what appeared to be your average consumer woman and the Gamestop employee on duty. And low and behold, they were talking about the PS3. The GS guy was giving her the specs on the system while explaining how expensive it was supposed to be (this was before the offical conference this week, obviously).
Now, I know evesdropping isn't nice, but what else was I really doing there?
Anywho, the conversation went on and the woman (approximately, since this was last week) says, "I just bought my husband an Xbox 360. What can I do to reserve a PS3 now?"
The GS guy went on to explain how they were probably not going to take any form of reservations for the PS3 after the 360 debacles in the fall, yet she still tried to get him to let her do it somehow.
Back then, I just passed the conversation off and filed it away as misc. junk in my head. But now, to me at least, lends towards a feeling of "Who cares" when it comes to the money issue.
Basically we, and I say we as in the internet gaming community of geeks and gamers, are probably a marginal...maybe even small fraction of a percent of the actual consumer market for this stuff. We all have out big opinions and insider knowledge, as well as the decade plus experience in dealing with consoles and their developers. Some of us are appauled at the prices, and refuse on principle to participate.
However, I do not think we really compare to the true consumer masses out there, to which I believe this women I encountered truly represents. She is a possible example of a mentality of people that will purchase things no matter what because: A- they want it for themselves no matter what, or B- want to give it to a family member, friend, or loved one. These people are not gamers in the sense that we are, but they are simply consumers who see things they want and go out and buy them. Not to mention, we do live in the era of homes with multiple gaming consoles. Some of us here may be extremely frugal and choose only one system, but the common household will have two or even all three of the major systems under one roof nowadays, without even blinking an eye.
So, I really don't think the average consumer is going to care. I mean, they don't follow E3 and other stuff like we do. They will buy the system they want the most, or has the games they want the most, "innovation" or "price" be damned. Sure, Sony probably will take a few hits in the profit margin, as I've said, but I really don't believe they will be dead in the water as some predict. You don't maintain dominence for all these years being stupid.
And in the end, I still believe it will be Sony and Microsoft swapping first and second place, depending on whatever the hottest game is that is not cross-console, and that Nintendo will continue to be the odd man out. My predictions about the gaming world since the SNES days (the rise and fall of Nintendo, the fall of Sega, the rise of Sony, the rise, plateau, and rise again of Xbox, etc.) have been fairly accurate all these years, so I'm going to stick with my gut instincts. If I'm wrong, then I'll be wrong. Bu if I'm right...well, I like being right
K, I've added to my thoughts. I'm now back to having nothing relavent to say on the topic anymore.