Xbox One

[DaveDQ]

Re: Xbox 720

What if MS offers games (digitally) at a lower price than retail stores? Or, what if retail stores up their prices to compensate for lost revenue due to many buying digital? There are so many scenarios that can play out in this. A lot of people like to hate on MS, and I can maybe see why, but this idea that MS will say, "deal with it... buy digitally at full price and like it" is naive thinking.

If they do go this route there will be worthwhile incentives. Just like when they said broadband only for the first xbox, and they had xbox live in their hand, they will have an incentive for introducing digital only.

[JBH3]

What if MS offers games (digitally) at a lower price than retail stores? Or, what if retail stores up their prices to compensate for lost revenue due to many buying digital? There are so many scenarios that can play out in this. A lot of people like to hate on MS, and I can maybe see why, but this idea that MS will say, "deal with it... buy digitally at full price and like it" is naive thinking.

If they do go this route there will be worthwhile incentives. Just like when they said broadband only for the first xbox, and they had xbox live in their hand, they will have an incentive for introducing digital only.

Very good points, thanks for this post.

[23]

Re: Xbox 720

Why would stores raise prices and think people will flock to that?

If anything that would make a gamestop more attractive wouldn't it?

We'll see what happens, and we won't know for sure until M$ says something for themselves.

[mgoblue]

Re: Xbox 720

I don't think the concern is completely baseless, but for those who never have their console connected or who connect it for 'less than 5 minutes a week' - they may want to hold on to their current consoles, and concede at some point that this industry has passed them by.

At some point you have to stop trying to make a product that's going another direction something it's not, speak with your wallet and go the other way. If all the alternatives are disagreeable in some form, the problem might not lie with those products/industry, but instead could be looking back at you in the mirror.

The same applies to PC gaming too, if you want a feeling of helplessness sit in front of a freshly formatted computer with no internet access and knowing you have 200+ games in your Steam account waiting to be installed. (In desperation I downloaded a driver on my phone and muled it over, lol)

To reiterate, we're not there yet, but for those digging in so hard that time will be here sooner than later.

I love how the Eidos president says "supposedly", and suddenly Gamespot's title of their story is "XBox 720 to block used games" LOL

I just can't see this being a real option, if it is, then I agree, Sony has already won. Just seems like this guy took the Edge magazine article and spoke on that instead of true facts.

It's like all these discussions, EG...we don't know anything until they give us more real info.

I personally want detail on how each box will act in my entertainment center. I know, we all want a great gaming system. However, for me, the 360 is way way way beyond the PS3 in usability for Netflix and stuff like that. The PS dashboard is just not user friendly.

Xbox Live and the "Xbox Experience" so to speak is so much better than what Sony provided on PS3. We'll see what each bring to the table this year, because I'm only picking one system.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Xbox 720

From what it looks like, there is going to be a bigger push this generation to get digital copies of game sold. This happened with music. It started out slow and now digital music has taken over. All major music stores in my local mall have been closed for a while now. We know why. It will happen with games and movies..at least these companies think so.

I look at it being the same way for distributing games digitally. There will be early releases for digital subscribers, additional content that would be considered DLC for the retail store version. What if MS said.."Live is now free and Silver membership is now what Gold was...and Gold now gives you 10% off new releases purchased on XBL?" How is retail going to compete with that?

[23]

Re: Xbox 720

Depends

Thats a ton of credit card information to leave on the web, especially with the security breaches they've had over the past year... all it takes is for it to happen once more to put a scare into people.

Music is one thing, games are another. What about the people with ISP data caps? Im sure this discussion has been had on here before, and it might get there one day but im not sure today is the day that this becomes full blown just yet.

Anyway its alot of speculation but I dont see it stopping until M$ decides to say something.

[fishepa]

Re: Xbox 720

I love how the Eidos president says "supposedly", and suddenly Gamespot's title of their story is "XBox 720 to block used games" LOL

I just can't see this being a real option, if it is, then I agree, Sony has already won. Just seems like this guy took the Edge magazine article and spoke on that instead of true facts.

A title like that leads to more clicks on the website.

[EnigmaNemesis]

What if MS offers games (digitally) at a lower price than retail stores? Or, what if retail stores up their prices to compensate for lost revenue due to many buying digital? There are so many scenarios that can play out in this. A lot of people like to hate on MS, and I can maybe see why, but this idea that MS will say, "deal with it... buy digitally at full price and like it" is naive thinking.

If they do go this route there will be worthwhile incentives. Just like when they said broadband only for the first xbox, and they had xbox live in their hand, they will have an incentive for introducing digital only.

This will not happen sadly.

EB Games already sent out memos this generation threatening to blacklist companies like EA, Sony and MSFT if they charged less for digital downloads per average.

They are still the largest games retailer, so they have their weight in backing.

So while it sounds good in theory, it will not happen. The majority of revenue is still physical sales. They will not be undercut per contract and licensing sales. Digital is not large enough to even come close to compensating the difference.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Xbox 720

Depends

Thats a ton of credit card information to leave on the web, especially with the security breaches they've had over the past year... all it takes is for it to happen once more to put a scare into people.

Music is one thing, games are another. What about the people with ISP data caps? Im sure this discussion has been had on here before, and it might get there one day but im not sure today is the day that this becomes full blown just yet.

Anyway its alot of speculation but I dont see it stopping until M$ decides to say something.

Good point about data caps, and of curse about speculation. That's all we have right now.

This will not happen sadly.

EB Games already sent out memos this generation threatening to blacklist companies like EA, Sony and MSFT if they charged less for digital downloads per average.

They are still the largest games retailer, so they have their weight in backing.

So while it sounds good in theory, it will not happen. The majority of revenue is still physical sales. They will not be undercut per contract and licensing sales. Digital is not large enough to even come close to compensating the difference.

I agree that these companies will have to be very careful with retailers. Yet, this happened with digital music and movies, the next thing you know, Wal-Mart has their own movie/music service attempt. I think this is going to be something consumers dictate by making the choice.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Good point about data caps, and of curse about speculation. That's all we have right now.



I agree that these companies will have to be very careful with retailers. Yet, this happened with digital music and movies, the next thing you know, Wal-Mart has their own movie/music service attempt. I think this is going to be something consumers dictate by making the choice.

Agreed, however music is much more accessible bandwidth wise.

7+ GB games can not be done for everyone. Not until uncapped broadband is accessible for the majority.

[Quint75]

I don't buy used games but I trade in my used games for credit. Seems logical that will be gone if used games can't be played on the new systems and that will put a huge damper on the number of games I buy. This is a big decision for MS and Sony.

[ghettogeeksta]

Re: Xbox 720

Sony Will Compete With Valve, Not Microsoft, Next Generation

Microsoft appears to be going a completely different route than last generation with multi-tasking, motion controls, and applications being the staple features of its upcoming hardware. It is also likely to be sold at a reasonable price point that could be anywhere from $99 - $199 less than the PlayStation 4. The mixture of its moderate specs, thorough integration of Kinect technology, and affordable price point make it more of a competitor for Nintendo than Sony.

http://www.gamerevolution.com/manifesto/sony-will-compete-with-valve-not-microsoft-next-generation-17733

Does the writer make legitimate points or just does it sound a little PS fanboish?

[Skyboxer]

Re: Xbox 720

What if MS offers games (digitally) at a lower price than retail stores? Or, what if retail stores up their prices to compensate for lost revenue due to many buying digital? There are so many scenarios that can play out in this. A lot of people like to hate on MS, and I can maybe see why, but this idea that MS will say, "deal with it... buy digitally at full price and like it" is naive thinking.

If they do go this route there will be worthwhile incentives. Just like when they said broadband only for the first xbox, and they had xbox live in their hand, they will have an incentive for introducing digital only.

A reduced digital price wouldn't do it for me unless it's VERY substantial savings. I mainly buy used as it's 50-50 if the game even works as advertised without having 2-3 patches. So buying used is the security blanket as I can return it and not have blown $ on a crap game.

I don't mind it on PC as I wait for games to go on a STEAM/Amazon sale at a great reduction. I am past the point of having to buy at release all the time. If console games would drop in price at the same rate as PC games on STEAM etc.. then no problem but I can get PC games after released a month or so at big savings and the console version for the most part is still 30.00 or more.

I don't hate MS as they are my prefered console BUT if new games aren't going to be returnable if they are "broken" etc... and I can't buy used then I simply won't spend money on their hardware.

[JBH3]

Re: Xbox 720

I like the option of the disc, I may not want to have to delete and re-download an entire game due to harddrive space limitations. Playing off a disc, I don't face that issue.

Also, if Microsoft's current on-demand pricing is any indication of what the market would be like w/o 2nd hand purchasing, then we're all screwed...

Look at the prices of some of the less desired games and compare them to what you would pay at Gamestop... then factor into the deal you get 2nd hand if you're a rewards member.

Spider-Man Friend or Foe is a $29.99 title via XBL On-Demand games. However, I can find this game at Gamestop for $19.99 and since I have a Powercard I save an add'l 10% plus earn points redeemable for other discounts/loot.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Xbox 720

A reduced digital price wouldn't do it for me unless it's VERY substantial savings. I mainly buy used as it's 50-50 if the game even works as advertised without having 2-3 patches. So buying used is the security blanket as I can return it and not have blown $ on a crap game.

I don't mind it on PC as I wait for games to go on a STEAM/Amazon sale at a great reduction. I am past the point of having to buy at release all the time. If console games would drop in price at the same rate as PC games on STEAM etc.. then no problem but I can get PC games after released a month or so at big savings and the console version for the most part is still 30.00 or more.

I don't hate MS as they are my prefered console BUT if new games aren't going to be returnable if they are "broken" etc... and I can't buy used then I simply won't spend money on their hardware.

I'm the same with used games, and it's nice to know I can get some money for a trade in that I know I am done with. You mentioned Steam and it made me wonder if MS will try and market something similar.

I just don't see them being so stubborn with digital only without something substantially positive in return for the consumer.