EB Games Australia to Boycott PSPgo Too?

[IDBash]

I actually am rooting for this device to fail epically.. I don't like that they are trying to cut out physical product. I have 2 bookcases full of all my OLD games. I add to it every now and then when I deem a game worthy. I also dusk one of them off now and again when I get bored of all these new age games that take themselves too serious. The whole digital game only concept is complete BS. ONLY is never a word that should stain any electronic outside of a Pacemaker.

lol pspgo = epic fail

Just like every other PS product apart from 1 and 2.

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

...

Electronics stores sell MP3 players and such, if the music industry stopped producing CD's, then yeah those stores will be just fine. But what about record stores? They can't stay in business just by selling music players and accessories.

As a side note, yes anything bought from the iTunes stores only work on iPods, but iPod owners have other options for putting music on their devices is what I was saying. You can't honestly argue that it's a fair compromise to have a business model where the options are buy from us or don't buy at all. And sure, enough people don't buy into Sony's prices and they'll smarten up, but a mistake is still a mistake whether anyone learns from it or not.

 

[AceDiamond]

The bottom line is, just don't support products like this. Laugh at them. Treat anyone who supports them with scorn. Bully kids at school who have a PSPgo or DSi. It's actually a pretty big issue as far as gaming goes, and it needs grassroots support. This is one of the situations where a gamer boycott is needed, and it's about something much bigger than what gaming company slotted you off with some bit of content (or lack there of).

I'm not quite sure why you would do that to someone with a DSi, and you're being a bit extreme in saying that you should bully people.

However, I will agree that the PSP Go is a terrible idea, and I hope that all the retailers eventually catch on and refuse to sell it.

Well, what I'm talking about is starting active, grassroots resistance. Think of it as like being part of a union. A company does something the workers don't like to the point the Union decides to take massive action. A strike ensues to effectively halt activity at the company and cost the bosses money. Well during a strike there are going to be people who simply can't afford to not be paid while this is going on for whatever reason. The thing is that you can't just let them go to work and do whatever they want because by them keeping the company running it hurts EVERYONE. People who do this are referred to as "Scabs".

To put things into perspective, this kind of a trend towards digital content hurts everyone. Oh sure there are people out there who are going to support it, or have various reasons why they personally want it or find it useful. However by doing so they hurt the rest of the gaming community. Thus it is in the best interests of everyone in opposition to what is going on to object to what they are doing in the strongest way possible.

I of course encourage nothing illegal, but you know how people who try and cross company picket lines have a nasty tendency to get mugged in parking lots, suffer home invasions, have their property destroyed, and similar things. Not to mention the accidents they suffer when people inevitably go back to work (the wounds may heal, but the scabs remain)... well I think PSPgo and DSi owners might deserve some similar bad luck. Maybe it's angry gypsies or something . Even if you don't hurt them, every PSPgo or DSi that gets broken and knocked off the network is a benefit for the cause.

The point is that big issues take big solutions, and while nothing could be organized on the level of union activity ("all us GOOD union boys vouch for each other's prescence here in this bar while that guy got put in the hospital officer"). My overall point is that this is not a problem that can be solved by a bit of whining, or even some individuals, what it takes is a general consensus of a community willing to act.

At this stage I'd like suggest to your local retailers that they don't carry DSi and PSP units. See if you can get people together and go together. If they start showing up on the streets, well... hopefully enough people will use their imagination a trend will be noticed and actually get mentioned on the news and the message will sink in that as things stand now DD technology is not something the consumers are going to stand for.

As amusing as a "Handheld tea party" would be, sadly while I can see some bullying and such, I can't see a bunch of gamers burning PSPgo units being transported to the stores.

You know this is all hypothetical, and smack talking. I would never encourage anyone to do anything illegal or consider it on my own.

It's a pretty bad hypothetical considering you haven't explained how the DSi is exactly like the PSPGo (which it is not as the DSi does not have an all-download software distribution model). Also there's a difference between protest and property damage, your "hypotheticals" are leaning towards the latter, save for the "don't carry this" talk to retailers, which to be perfectly honest is a bit grandiose considering retailers are only stalling on the PSPGo stocking because of their profit margins. They can still sell DS software for the DSi it's not like they can't get future business out of it.

And just what do you "hypothetically" propose we do about people who use Steam? Or WiiWare? Or XBLA? or PSN? or any one of the many other digital distribution sites/formats for games? Formats which have allowed for a gigantic resurgence of the independent games market and thus can only help the industry?

EDIT:

This of course to some extent tying into the issue of price fixing and the like, given that a small game developed on a shoestring budget will generally retail for the same amount as a veteral developed AAA title. This is even true on DLable services.

No it isn't. As someone who uses Steam, WiiWare, and Xbox Live Arcade I have never paid $50 for an independently produced title. And I have never seen an Arcade title retail for more than $20. You also have left out the recent addition of "Xbox Live Indie" or whatever they call it where games can be sold for a dollar, a model that so far has proven successful.

I have this sneaking suspicion that you haven't quite looked into this.

 

[IDBash]

I can't say I blame them. I'm sure the PSPgo will be a nice handheld, but you can't fault EB Games for not wanting to sell something that won't bring them any money.

The CONSOLE makes them money. Selling PSN Point cards or whatever makes them money. Refusing to sell the console just because they can't sell used games for it is a strong arming scam to get their way. They are a retailer, they have no business making decisions about the product, their job is to SELL it.

First off, their job is to make money first and foremost. They are a business. Second, there is no reason why they could not do the same as Steam and sell boxes with serial keys. Do you see any boycotting of the Orange Box or L4D1? No because it satisfies both ends. Who cares about second hand games, that is such a small portion that it doesn't really make a difference.

The console really does not make any money percentage-wise, and is most of the time a slight loss over the retail space that they take up. If you filled all that advertisement space with games, you are going to sell more due to wider variety. Return business is the only place that you make money. Also, most go to a game store for advice on what to buy too.

One last thought... how would you give the games as a gift? Lame psn points cards? Dumb. No I want to give a physical game that has some mass to it and shows that I put some thought into my gift. I didn't just see your PSPgo and think well I will give him a gift card relating... seriously. Don't attempt to kill the physical market because it represents way too much of the market and the main way non-gamers buy games.

 

[Sneakyballs]

Software > Hardware to the stores imo. Can't blame them for not stocking it. Just gips out the small consumer base that is going to want it. I guess they can just buy it online, like the majority of people nowadays.

 

[Clyde]

What the fuck do people, and retailers, have against the PSPgo?

Retailers like to make money by selling games.

That's what the new money card things are for

What is a money card?

 

[AceDiamond]

What the fuck do people, and retailers, have against the PSPgo?

Retailers like to make money by selling games.

That's what the new money card things are for

What is a money card?

It's like the microsoft points card only its for Sony. And if it's anything like that I'd say you probably don't have to go to a store to get said points/money, and can just do it online.

I do not know that for certain though.

 

[Fists]

Hmm, I'm suprised the government didn't already ban it.... they do everything else.

They wont ban the hardware, they'll let us buy it but then introduce the net filter and block the PSN store for selling games like fat princess.

What the fuck do people, and retailers, have against the PSPgo?

Retailers like to make money by selling games.

That's what the new money card things are for

What is a money card?

It's like the microsoft points card only its for Sony. And if it's anything like that I'd say you probably don't have to go to a store to get said points/money, and can just do it online.

I do not know that for certain though.

The Playstation cards are a way of adding credit to your PS acount without using a credit card so I think very few people that would buy a PSPGo at all wont be needing them because that completely defeats the purpose of the Go, sorta.

 

[Amnestic]

Who cares about second hand games

Every single games retailer ever?

 

[Therumancer]

The bottom line is, just don't support products like this. Laugh at them. Treat anyone who supports them with scorn. Bully kids at school who have a PSPgo or DSi. It's actually a pretty big issue as far as gaming goes, and it needs grassroots support. This is one of the situations where a gamer boycott is needed, and it's about something much bigger than what gaming company slotted you off with some bit of content (or lack there of).

I'm not quite sure why you would do that to someone with a DSi, and you're being a bit extreme in saying that you should bully people.

However, I will agree that the PSP Go is a terrible idea, and I hope that all the retailers eventually catch on and refuse to sell it.

Well, what I'm talking about is starting active, grassroots resistance. Think of it as like being part of a union. A company does something the workers don't like to the point the Union decides to take massive action. A strike ensues to effectively halt activity at the company and cost the bosses money. Well during a strike there are going to be people who simply can't afford to not be paid while this is going on for whatever reason. The thing is that you can't just let them go to work and do whatever they want because by them keeping the company running it hurts EVERYONE. People who do this are referred to as "Scabs".

To put things into perspective, this kind of a trend towards digital content hurts everyone. Oh sure there are people out there who are going to support it, or have various reasons why they personally want it or find it useful. However by doing so they hurt the rest of the gaming community. Thus it is in the best interests of everyone in opposition to what is going on to object to what they are doing in the strongest way possible.

I of course encourage nothing illegal, but you know how people who try and cross company picket lines have a nasty tendency to get mugged in parking lots, suffer home invasions, have their property destroyed, and similar things. Not to mention the accidents they suffer when people inevitably go back to work (the wounds may heal, but the scabs remain)... well I think PSPgo and DSi owners might deserve some similar bad luck. Maybe it's angry gypsies or something . Even if you don't hurt them, every PSPgo or DSi that gets broken and knocked off the network is a benefit for the cause.

The point is that big issues take big solutions, and while nothing could be organized on the level of union activity ("all us GOOD union boys vouch for each other's prescence here in this bar while that guy got put in the hospital officer"). My overall point is that this is not a problem that can be solved by a bit of whining, or even some individuals, what it takes is a general consensus of a community willing to act.

At this stage I'd like suggest to your local retailers that they don't carry DSi and PSP units. See if you can get people together and go together. If they start showing up on the streets, well... hopefully enough people will use their imagination a trend will be noticed and actually get mentioned on the news and the message will sink in that as things stand now DD technology is not something the consumers are going to stand for.

As amusing as a "Handheld tea party" would be, sadly while I can see some bullying and such, I can't see a bunch of gamers burning PSPgo units being transported to the stores.

You know this is all hypothetical, and smack talking. I would never encourage anyone to do anything illegal or consider it on my own.

It's a pretty bad hypothetical considering you haven't explained how the DSi is exactly like the PSPGo (which it is not as the DSi does not have an all-download software distribution model). Also there's a difference between protest and property damage, your "hypotheticals" are leaning towards the latter, save for the "don't carry this" talk to retailers, which to be perfectly honest is a bit grandiose considering retailers are only stalling on the PSPGo stocking because of their profit margins. They can still sell DS software for the DSi it's not like they can't get future business out of it.

And just what do you "hypothetically" propose we do about people who use Steam? Or WiiWare? Or XBLA? or PSN? or any one of the many other digital distribution sites/formats for games? Formats which have allowed for a gigantic resurgence of the independent games market and thus can only help the industry?

This of course to some extent tying into the issue of price fixing and the like, given that a small game developed on a shoestring budget will generally retail for the same amount as a veteral developed AAA title. This is even true on DLable services.

No it isn't. As someone who uses Steam, WiiWare, and Xbox Live Arcade I have never paid $50 for an independently produced title.

But, you also haven't really been going after what could be considered full game either but rather "shorts" for the most part. Products that could not have ever been retailed or likely picked up by a publisher for release if they wanted to.

I myself have said that the are exceptions to every rule, sure you can also point out that you can pick up a copy of "Alien Disco Safari" and other garbage like that for $20 or less in an actual box, but the fact that there are exceptions (many of which are quite ridiculous compared to the overall situation) does not change the entire situation.

-

The DSi, is NOT exactly like the PSPgo. However it's attempting to harness the same technology and move things in the same direction. Truthfully Nintendo simply has more brains than Sony does and didn't go about it in as unsubtle a way. Heck if Nintendo was coordinating the entire DD "offensive" it might be able to do it so gradually that few people would have fully comprehended (or accepted what was going on even if they did) until it was too late, sort of like the Wal*Mart corperate offensive. Nobody really believed what was going on enough to act even as it happened since they were smart enough to go gradually.

No, the DSi is *NOT* the same animal as the PSPgo, but it is a subspecies so to speak. The PSPgo is noteworthy because it's pretty much DD only, where the DSi is simply tapping things like the XBL Arcade (which wasn't bad in concept and which I *HAVE* supported but feel is snowballing out of control), but it's helping to move technology in that direction and lay a framework that is not in our best interest as gamers.

Also for the record, I will suggest people sort of look long and hard at the XBL Arcade. Notice that people have been talking about the rising prices of games on the Arcade, and even on PSN. It really started when we saw what "Braid" was going for (like $20) but people defended it as a quality game, one of the defining achievements of the generation, and whatever else. But the thing is that this set a new trend.

So right now for some of these little games that probably never could have succeeded retail your still paying as much as $20. As they get away with charging higher prices, more and more games like Shadow Complex do the same thing.

Rave about Shadow Complex, but look at it this way, for roughly half the price you could buy an older game like Sacred WITH it's expansion packs, and have it on a DVD in your hand. Viewed that way your getting gouged.

While many will defend it as "worth it", look aqain at the price trends. The cost of old games like Marvel Vs. Capcom II, The Watchmen Beat 'Em Up games ($40 for the whole thing), ans Siren (PSN) as a package. When the XBL Arcade got started it was like "hey look what youc an get for $5". Then things expanded to like $10 becoming the big price, and now your looking at more and more games going for double that. Quality titles? Well considering that in many cases you can buy a 2-3 year old AAA title for the same bloody price (maybe even less used) it's pretty obvious how they gradually snuck up on us. People comparing more expensive XBL titles to the older anc cheaper ones (as time progressed) oftentimes use tunnelvision and don't look outside of the Arcade for what else they could get with that same amount of money to keep things comparitive overall.

I know not EVERYONE is going to agree with me, but these are my thoughts. Sure if the XBL arcade stayed at around $5 with the very rare $10 game it would be one thing, but you can't even really point to that as a good example anymore because for anything decent they are pretty much demanding a pretty solid chunk of change. It's by no means "cheap" for the value your getting.

I'd say consider Shadow Complex to compete well against a few several year old games like Galactic Empires II and such. Stick it on a DVD I can keep near my computer and sell it for $10 like other budget software and it's fine. But $20 for direct download? Sorry I *DID* buy it and I think it's hard to justify in the big picture. Good game, yes. But $20 after cutting costs, and raping me of my ownership rights?

 

[Casual Shinji]

Is it me or is all this PSPgo hate coming out of nowhere?
For the past 2 to 3 years all I've been hearing about is how digital distribution is the future. And how next gen consoles will depend more and more on this method than they already are. Sony decides to take the first step and finally make some money off of it's PSP software, and now suddenly everyone jumps down their throat like a herd of steaming elephants.
I'm not a fan of digital distibution as such. I like to have a physical copy of the game I purchased. I just don't really understand the whole 180 concerning the matter.

 

[Megacherv]

What the fuck do people, and retailers, have against the PSPgo?

Retailers like to make money by selling games.

That's what the new money card things are for

What is a money card?

They're like points cards, but are measured in currency. Basically you buy them in a shop, enter a code, and the equivalent money is transferred into your PSN wallet

 

[Megacherv]

Is it me or is all this PSPgo hate coming out of nowhere?

This is exactly what i feel like. I don't see why the PSPgo is being hated, I think it's quite a nifty idea, being able to have all your games in one place without having to faff around discs or cartridges. That's why I like using Steam, because I can finish a round of UT3, and then switch over to Saint's Row 2 instantly.

 

[jamesworkshop]

Is it me or is all this PSPgo hate coming out of nowhere?
For the past 2 to 3 years all I've been hearing about is how digital distribution is the future. And how next gen consoles will depend more and more on this method than they already are. Sony decides to take the first step and finally make some money off of it's PSP software, and now suddenly everyone jumps down their throat like a herd of steaming elephants.
I'm not a fan of digital distibution as such. I like to have a physical copy of the game I purchased. I just don't really understand the whole 180 concerning the matter.

PSPgo
* more expensive
* screen is smaller
* no UMD old collection is worthless
* DD only
digital distribution works on other platforms because it enhances them (adding features) rather than replacing everything else (removing features)
Steam and direct2drive or XBL arcade don't cause the disc drive to stop working nor have Sony released a new PS3 model lacking the drive and supporting downloads only which would gain the same reaction.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Is it me or is all this PSPgo hate coming out of nowhere?
For the past 2 to 3 years all I've been hearing about is how digital distribution is the future. And how next gen consoles will depend more and more on this method than they already are

Shinji, you and I must never have crossed paths before now. I've been ragging on digital distribution since, well, whenever they started doing it I guess. Anti-Steam, Anti-PSPGo, Anti-iTunes, Anti-DLC, Anti-XBLA... Anti-AlanisMorisette too, but that's a different story.

The PSP Go, and all forms of digital-only software/media are like an annoying fat kid who follows you around just to insult you, and nobody really likes him but he just won't piss off...

Like I said, I'm not a fan of the matter at all, unless ofcourse it helps some indie developer get their game on the market. But after years of internet sites and forums paving the way, sorta speak, for digital distribution, it comes as a bit of a surprise to see people raise their fists like this.
I think the reason Sony made the PSPgo was, that they were tired of all the piracy. And at the same time trying to test out the waters.(Heh heh, piracy, waters.) I guess that now they know that them waters be fierce. I never pay for DLC, unless ofcourse if it's the new water-pack for LBP.(I want that sh*t but good.)
I do miss the last gen when what you saw was what you got. This gen's gaming as a whole is wearing down on me, with multi-player and co-op and DLC being stuffed down every game like a Thanksgiving turkey. I try to make the best of it and I'm still enthusiastic about a fair share of upcoming titles, though, this is probably my last generation as a gamer. I just don't really like where the gaming world is headed.

 

[Amnestic]

There was no hardware conflicts, no red ring of death, games plugged in and worked, end of story.

Bullshit.

You had to blow on your cartridges first.

The last RTS to truly add something new to the genre was Prey, but Portal stole its gimmick and thunder.

I assume you mean FPS there.

Haven't seen an RPG worth its salt since Icewind Dale II

I fear any RPG I name won't live up to your standards whatever happens, but I thoroughly enjoyed the KotOR series and thought they were worthy editions to the genre.

/Loves me some Baldur's Gate 2 though.
//Not played Icewind Dale.
///Does it count as abandonware yet?