Bring out your dead, the end is nigh. Or is that the other
way around? Anyway, a marvelously grim piece is up at Grimwell, about the way gaming is headed, and it ain't
pretty.
The article makes some good points; Sony getting into item selling in EQ2, and the planned new version of Xbox Live!
allowing developers to sell you items. If you're at all cynical about the gaming industry, this article won't do
anything to change your mind that we're on the way to Hell in a handbasket.
Despite Jack Valenti once claiming the VCR was like the Boston Strangler, the movie industry have figured out how to
get your money twice. (Or more, if you're stupid enough to fall for their double and triple dips on the DVD medium.) It
seems the gaming world has figured out how to take your money infinite times. It could well reach a point where you buy
the initial game, and to remain competitive on higher levels, you have to buy more items from the developer. Money is
what drives it. Screw the gamers, so long as the shareholders are happy.
Disturbing.
Engadget
TUAW