Tired of multimedia-center hype.

[Steerforth]

Is anyone on this board truly excited about HD movie functionality from a game console? I was browsing my Walmart today and blueray discs are $40 bucks a pop. An HD-DVD add on for the 360 was $200, and we all know the blueray player is the biggest factor in the cost of the PS3. By the way, its only a "bargain" if you want it.

One problem I have with Microsoft and Sony is that their videogame division is a tool to prop up their other electronic divisions, and vice-versa. Games are getting to be an afterthought in their console strategies. I think they may have overeached here though, are people truly eager to give up DVD's at those prices?

Even though I live in the land of massive credit card debt and 'disposable' income, where patriotism today is thought by our president to be best expressed by going to a shopping mall after a national disaster, I still have to believe that there is a breaking point in this country on how much people can spend on entertainment.

I would love for someone to take the other side on this, and break down how much money they are willing to spend on gaming, through their consoles, T.V. setup, high speed internet access, online fees, etc., and consequently how much time they feel they need to game to get their value out of the cost. I know we all face different financial realities, and have different interests in gaming, but I am curious to see what a high end gamer today will spend on their hobby. I just find it interesting. Thanks - Steerforth

[andrew]

I'm tired of console companies using the phrase multimedia center. If I want to play movies or cd's, I'll buy dedicated players that will do a better job and reduce the wear on the console's laser. I buy a console to play games and games only.

[VideoGameCritic]

Yeah, I agree the whole media center aspect is overblown.  Sony got lucky with the DVD player in the PS2, but they've gone overboard with both the PSP and PS3, overloading them with excessive features most people don't give a crap about  (can you say "3DO").  I have a PS3 AND an nice big plasma, and I still have no intention of buying any Blue Ray movies.

Meanwhile Nintendo decided to focus on gameplay and what do you know - everybody thinks the Wii is the greatest thing going.  So great I can't find an [expletive] one 3 and a half month after its release!!  Curses!!

[Paul Campbell]

[QUOTE=Steerforth]where patriotism today is thought by our president to be best expressed by going to a shopping mall after a national disaster
[/QUOTE]

[Steerforth]

For Paul -

After 9-11, a reporter asked the president what the average american could do to best help their country. He said to go shopping.

We've come a long way from 'victory gardens', etc, I did not find that very inspiring.

I'm neither republican or democrat, I'm just bored with coporate politics. (Sorry, The Suit.) 

[Alienblue]

I totally agree Multimedia in a GAME system is dumb. In a $800 COMPUTER, ok, but a GAME SYSTEM? Ok, show of hands, how many people play DVD movies/CD's on their Game system?

I am dirt poor-poorpoorpoor- yet even I have my own DVD, VCR, and stereo player; WHY would I want to play stuff on my game machine? it's like playing interactive "games" on a movie player, it just doesn't make sense!

BTW, you asked....the most I could afford to spend on a new game machine is $200. That's why I didn't have a PS2 or Xbox for so long. I'm one step up from a street person!

[feilong801]

[QUOTE=Steerforth]For Paul -

After 9-11, a reporter asked the president what the average american could do to best help their country. He said to go shopping.

We've come a long way from 'victory gardens', etc, I did not find that very inspiring.

I'm neither republican or democrat, I'm just bored with coporate politics. (Sorry, The Suit.) 
[/QUOTE]

I'm sure Paul knew exactly what you were talking about. His emoticons were probably directed at your comment.

Seemed to me, at the time, that the President wanted life to go on as before as much as could. Since the terrorists would love it if our economy just ground to a halt after they attacked, it makes perfect sense to "go shopping."

I don't think it was a mandate to go into debt.

@ your original premise, though, I agree completely. I don't like the idea of an "all in one," because it would be hard to have it be "jack of all trades master of none." It also strips choice away from the consumer (if the all in one setup caused individual components to stop selling).

I have always felt that, with Microsoft and Sony, we are always going to be buying products that are to some degree a trojan horse for other stuff. At the very least, when you buy a Nintendo product, you aren't shilling for a Operating System or playback format.

Of course, sometimes weaknesses are simultaneous strengths. Nintendo being just a "games company" maybe hurts them on certain issues like online, where they tend to hire out the infrastructure. But you take the good with the bad.

-Rob

[Sudz1]

I think the Critic hit the nail on the head - the fact that you still cannot go into any store and simply find a Wii sitting on the shelf ready for purchase (at least not in the Baltimore/Washington area) speaks volumes for how most Americans feel about the latest crop of consoles.  They buy them to play GAMES first and foremost, and people are skipping over the expensive do-it-all PS3 system for the cheaper but focused-strictly-on-gaming Nintendo Wii.  I don't own any of the newer consoles and I have yet to see any reason to run out and get one.  No killer must-have games, not that much of an improvement on graphics - where's the incentive?  I continue to get by just fine with my PS2 (which I never, ever have used to watch a DVD by the way), my Xbox, and my Dreamcast (still).
Sudz

[Paul Campbell]

[QUOTE=feilong80]

[QUOTE=Steerforth]For Paul -

After 9-11, a reporter asked the president what the average american could do to best help their country. He said to go shopping.

We've come a long way from 'victory gardens', etc, I did not find that very inspiring.

I'm neither republican or democrat, I'm just bored with coporate politics. (Sorry, The Suit.) 
[/QUOTE]

I'm sure Paul knew exactly what you were talking about. His emoticons were probably directed at your comment.

Seemed to me, at the time, that the President wanted life to go on as before as much as could. Since the terrorists would love it if our economy just ground to a halt after they attacked, it makes perfect sense to "go shopping."

I don't think it was a mandate to go into debt.

[/QUOTE]

Could NOT have said it better myself.  I think I was also partially rolling my eyes at the arbitrary nature of the comment, as well.

[JustLikeHeaven1]

Yea I think its a buzzword type thing that nobody ever really buys into.  Sure most gaming systems have some extra features, but if they don't have great games they are worthless.

I used my PS2 as my primary DVD player for a long time...I figured I would use my xbox when I finally got one of those, but they locked that feature until you bought a remote.

Right now I use my PS3 to play my DVDs.  I don't have a nice DVD player, and the PS3 bumps up the resolution to 480p on regular DVDs. 

Amazon.com recently had a slew of Blu Ray discs on sale for 40%-50% off and I decided to check a few out.  I bought The Prestige and Kung Fu Hustle...both of them are great movies and the picture was stunning on my new TV.  You can see ever little detail and its much better than HDTV channels.  I need to get some movies that feature great special effects (Casino Royale, Superman Returns) to see how good it can really get.

With that said, I'm not running out to spend $30 on a Blu Ray disc every time I step into BestBuy.  If they cost $14-$20 I would buy them instead of DVDs.  Right now its still too expensive.