Truth Serum – SpaceGhost2K’s Enlightenment vs Mike’s Rage
This place is all about community involvement so I’m bringing a special edition of Truth Serum straight from another community friend. Fellow Xbox MVP, SpaceGhost2K, contacted me about contributing a more in depth response to a recent feature we had here at U360 called Mike’s Rage. There’s history between these two apparently and that battle is about to be played out for all to see.
Who makes the bigger point? Who’s right? You decide.
SpaceGhost2K’s Elightenment
Mikewarrior, author of the recent “Mike’s Rage” articles, and I have been known to go at each other via PM’s at Xbox.com.
He started it.
Most of the things he addressed in his three-part article, like digital downloads and used games, have been beaten to death by us in our long-winded dialogs. In fact, when he mentioned that “some gamers even argue to defend it”, I am reasonably certain he was talking about me. Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after me, right?
I didn’t see any information about who this “Mikewarrior” guy is. I mean, I know him, but most of you probably don’t. To you, he’s just a guy. So I’m going to tell you who I am – not so I come across as “better than Mike” but just so you know where my point-of-view comes from.
I was the Xbox Field Merchandising rep for a year-and-a-half over the launch of the original Xbox, where I was privy to a limited amount of “behind the scenes” access. I ran a game store for a couple of years and we carries new and used product, offered a discount card, took preorders, etc. I’m one of the top 15 most active posters at Teamxbox.com, out of over 200,000 registered members. And like Deaconblade, I was awarded the Microsoft Xbox MVP (“Most Valuable Professional”) Award for my positive contributions to the online gaming community. Currently, I’m walking that fine line between being in the industry and being an outsider. I consider myself pro-Xbox (I even won “Fanboy of the Year” once at TXB) but I have no problem calling them on an issue… and oh, brother, do they gots issues.
All this to say that as a gamer, and with ties to Microsoft, I’m in a unique position to see it from both sides, so that’s where my comments come from – someone who can see it from both sides.
February 15th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
o lets see, what screws you more…
A physical game you CAN get some money back for
Or a download you no longer care about, & have no chance in Hell getting anything for it
Hmmm, so tough. Will they ensure everyone that you will ALWAYS be able to play that DD only game no matter what?
Also, using Michael Patcher as a measuring stick is full of FAIL!!! lol
February 15th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Mike don’t they make more money from the the sales of collectors editions rather than the actual normal version of the game?
If they make most of there profit from this then I highly doubt they will ditch physical copies of the games.
Anyway all we can do is wait and see what happens. It might be 10 or 20 years before this happens, or it might not happen at all.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
They do make money on collector editions, but it’s more a ploy to persuade people to buy new over waiting on a cheaper used copy that may be missing things, or is not in mint quality. People who buy used don’t usually care about collector editions.
It will happen if we the gamers accept it more & more each year until the next Xbox/PS/Nintendo system comes along. Microsoft is saying Natal will last 5 years, and we may not see another Xbox until then (2015) I can see Microsoft making 2 SKUs, one with a Disc Drive, and one without. The Drive less console will be cheaper, and have a larger Hard Drive. *I talked about this over a year ago in the forums*
One thing gamers do a lot… Is conform to what a corporation wants, just so they get their gaming fix.
February 16th, 2010 at 12:47 am
If they do go DD, I’d want a price drop. So much cutting out the middleman for packaging, manuals, disc costs itself.
Plus, poor children of the next generation. No rushing downstairs to rip open a wrapped game, no reading manuals in the car, no fun of swapping games with friends to try out.
February 16th, 2010 at 3:56 am
Well I’m doing my bit for the gaming industry. I NEVER buy a used game. I always buy them new. I don’t like the idea that someone else has had the game before me. I’m the same with accessories too.
Also I never trade in too. I buy a game and keep it. Even if I’m not going to play it again I still keep it. I like having a pile of games
I must have some OCD or something. Lol
February 19th, 2010 at 3:05 am
dude, spaceghost.. stfu, DD is a terrible idea.. takes up too much hard drive space and money. used games ftw!