I predict the obvious future.

[DoubleU12]

**snip**

1. Radio Shacks, Blockbuster Videos and Bookstores still exist. Some are fewer in numbers than others, but they are still around.

2. Book stores probably won't go away for a lot longer than you think. Print is still a form of conveyance that doesn't depend on power to work, doesn't disappear due to a bug in the system or get corrupted by a bad fall (unless you drop your book in the toilet). Also while the e-readers are still hilariously overpriced, print books will still sell better.

3. On the subject of Gamestop/EB/game stores in general... I don't see digital distribution replacing retail stores completely. There are plenty of people who don't like using the internet to buy things with their credit/debit cards, whether out of fear of their CC#'s getting jacked or just simple disgust for laziness or something else. Retail stores may dwindle in number but I don't see physical merchandise outlets being "a thing of the past".

Well now I do know these places still exist as I watch about an hour of TV a day if that and I still see Blockbuster advertismenets, books will live forever, this is another obvious fact but bookstores are still vanishing at a rapid rate.

Where I currently live we had a music CD store, a Blockbuster and Walden's books but now none of them exist here any longer except for a large empty building with Blockbuster's name across it.

I honestly don't see them living forever, expecially any local music distribution store since mp3 players require the computers anyway. You don't see any App stores in the mall do you? No but that's because Droids and Ipads and all those things all cornered the market before there was a market to exist. All their apps are downloaded directly and the same will be true when video game designers CHOOSE to do the same thing.

 

[Arrogancy]

So, you have proven that you have the power to predict the painfully obvious? That might sound ruder than I intended, but what can you do? As far as everything you have stated, it will probably happen, but I believe that, as society becomes more digitized, there will be a greater degree of economic equalization due to decreasing entry costs into various businesses.

Maybe, but we can't deny the fact that it also takes money away from our economy and gives it to other countries, takes away jobs which both hurt our economy quite a bit. What's to stop the next Final Fantasy game to be Download Distribution only. They translate it into english themselves and every time we click that download button. $60 goes straight to Kyoto Japan. if the game makes $4.something million in the US and Japan. That's all money that is removed from our local economy.

Kinda like a very, very large scale version of an Ebay buisness. Even if it is given to an english company to be distributed digitally...for some reason I can't see as that's a needless 3rd party, it still wont help the local economy as it goes to whever Sony America is instead.

But you can't deny that the opposite is true as well, American companies won't need to go through distributors in foreign countries, so they can keep a larger portion of the profits for themselves. It will hurt the retail business quite hard, I can't deny that, but I still maintain that the costs of doing business will decrease due to digitization and globalization. The economy will change in the next generation, and change quite radically, but I hardly think that it will be the death of local business.

 

[Nouw]

This song is appropriate. An increase of jellyfish originates from a change in the climate. The change being an increase in sea temperature.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

**snip**

1. Radio Shacks, Blockbuster Videos and Bookstores still exist. Some are fewer in numbers than others, but they are still around.

2. Book stores probably won't go away for a lot longer than you think. Print is still a form of conveyance that doesn't depend on power to work, doesn't disappear due to a bug in the system or get corrupted by a bad fall (unless you drop your book in the toilet). Also while the e-readers are still hilariously overpriced, print books will still sell better.

3. On the subject of Gamestop/EB/game stores in general... I don't see digital distribution replacing retail stores completely. There are plenty of people who don't like using the internet to buy things with their credit/debit cards, whether out of fear of their CC#'s getting jacked or just simple disgust for laziness or something else. Retail stores may dwindle in number but I don't see physical merchandise outlets being "a thing of the past".

Well now I do know these places still exist as I watch about an hour of TV a day if that and I still see Blockbuster advertismenets, books will live forever, this is another obvious fact but bookstores are still vanishing at a rapid rate.

Where I currently live we had a music CD store, a Blockbuster and Walden's books but now none of them exist here any longer except for a large empty building with Blockbuster's name across it.

I honestly don't see them living forever, expecially any local music distribution store since mp3 players require the computers anyway. You don't see any App stores in the mall do you? No but that's because Droids and Ipads and all those things all cornered the market before there was a market to exist. All their apps are downloaded directly and the same will be true when video game designers CHOOSE to do the same thing.

App stores are quite a different monster altogether. Physical Retail exists for a multitude of reasons, even if publishers decide one day to go full digital distribution the retail market will still exist. You don't take in to account the people who don't have online access, which in the future will still exist being that high-speed internet is still considered a luxury and not a utility. Same reason you don't see films being transferred to digital-only format and why Netflix's streaming queue is filled with older movies, people shop first at retail stores. Its something that is almost instinctual in our culture now.
Sure Steam is "popular" among "core" gamers, but in reality Gamestop, Best Buy, Walmart, Target and other retail stores still outsell digital distribution platforms. Why? Because most people impulse-buy at retail stores, not while they're sitting at home.
Sure, perhaps in 2-3 full generations we may see the game store disappear, but I doubt you or I will be around to see them go. Same with book stores.
What you're seeing right now with BBV, Waldenbooks and other stores closing is the result of economic downturn, not people buying more online. When people don't have money, they spend less on luxuries. BBV has had some very bad corporate management in the past few years which caused a number of their stores to close (a lot of them franchises) due to late-fee practices and other factors. Waldenbooks has disappeared mostly because they're mall stores and during economic downturns malls get hit the hardest (and book stores are the least popular stores in malls for some reason) but places like Books-A-Million still exist and (at least in my town) are packed and thriving with customers on a daily basis.

 

[Dagda Mor]

Well now,I honestly can't be arsed to come up with a response,but I feel like posting anyway.No,I don't know why either.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Well now, that's all certainly mixing some signals. Mind you, you're pulling something from before the days of the internet, and saying things will change from pre-internet to post-internet societies. To which I should reply "But of course!", but instead I'll reply only with "Yeah. That's how things happen. Changes in generations.

 

[michiehoward]

Read your whole post, and all I can say is 'Meh'

Except for books, I refuse to give up books. I will not lose paper binded and held between two covers.

 

[vrbtny]

And My Little Pony will be in its 29th season, and Call of Duty will be on its 41st installment.

.....

Totally Gonna Happy.

 

[Owen Robertson]

Well now, perhaps I'm too far removed from urban popular culture but nobody I know has ever said the letters OMG in speech, unless being ironic or imitating someone. If they did I would feel it my duty to kick them in their teeth. There is a difference between using contractions like I'm and they're which evolved with a proper form and function, and using slang and jargon created by urgency and laziness. I use ebonics and slang terms in conjunction with proper grammar when I speak for humor. I don't say lawl or oh-em-gee as they would be pronounced, for doing so would make me hate myself (see Bob Sagat).

Captcha: 151, bitinu

Holy shit! Nazi Zombies at Bitinu! Run!!!

 

[Owen Robertson]

App stores are quite a different monster altogether. Physical Retail exists for a multitude of reasons

Just had to quote that tiny bit there. We can't purchase clothing at an App store now can we? Or the electronic devices with which we purchase other things. And while Banks won't have most of the money they're worth in physical form, they do need some to exchange because drugs need to be traded off-the-grid.

 

[Madara XIII]

Where is the part about me being supreme overlord of what little is left of the human race.
You know, after that "incident".

i conned you out of it during sexytime.

Well Now: i doubt game shops will vanish. what about pre-owned discounts, or lowering the prices to compete with the other shops? or reward cards? or old console games?
what you said about language makes sense.

And then I'll con you out of it during Fisticuffs time!

Well now. The prediction about language and game distribution scares me the most, because in all honesty that doesn't seem too far off.
I can only hope no one gets rid of our beloved books. I LOVE BOOKS DAMN YOU!

You're all savages I tell ya! Digitalized, Zombified, Instant Gratification SAVAGES!!

*Falls on knees in despair*

*Ends Scene*


[HEADING=2]Captcha: Not Speshu[/HEADING]

Screw you! I am special!

 

[Madara XIII]

And My Little Pony will be in its 29th season, and Call of Duty will be on its 41st installment.

.....

Totally Gonna Happy.

.....Eeeeeeeeeesh I'm guessing Assassin's Creed 42 and Metal Gear Somewhat Solid 9 will be released as well in that near future

 

[Madara XIII]

This song is appropriate. An increase of jellyfish originates from a change in the climate. The change being an increase in sea temperature.

Dude you are freaking awesome for posting that song.
I kept hearing the lyrics and it disturbed me how it's a parody of instant breakfast and the inevitable increase in our society's desire for Instant Gratification, that will lead us to a world of just sup-par deliciousness with all our appetites satiated by the bare minimum in quality.

And with that I leave this lyrical excerpt.

~Shower my habits while you dine like rabbits~
~With the Crunchy, Crunchy Carrots~
~ NAW THAT'S CHICKEN~
~Gotta have it superfast~

 

[Nouw]

This song is appropriate. An increase of jellyfish originates from a change in the climate. The change being an increase in sea temperature.

Dude you are freaking awesome for posting that song.
I kept hearing the lyrics and it disturbed me how it's a parody of instant breakfast and the inevitable increase in our society's desire for Instant Gratification, that will lead us to a world of just sup-par deliciousness with all our appetites satiated by the bare minimum in quality.

And with that I leave this lyrical excerpt.

~Shower my habits while you dine like rabbits~
~With the Crunchy, Crunchy Carrots~
~ NAW THAT'S CHICKEN~
~Gotta have it superfast~

Gotta love Damon Albarn's way of shoving the disturbing in your face and presenting it in a light-hearted way. This is the future. And in the grim darkness, there is only superfast jellyfish.

David Attenbrough's sample is brilliant as well. The little segment that says "The sea, has gone silent."
Then it says "But! Everybody loves jellyfish."

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

Well now, everyone I know is already saying lol. We all seemed to start doing it 4 or 5 years ago in college.

I agree, bricks and mortar are doomed and the economy is going to be global. Scary to think about all the jobs that will be lost when the bricks and mortar retail industry dies!

Im just glad I work in construction, people will always need houses! You cant order a house on the internet!