Gears of War COG tag videos are the new horse armor
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Apr 26th 2007 at 2:30AM }
We are not amused. We are not amused, at all! Horse armor was ridiculous, Need for Speed irked us further, but these have clearly been replaced with the five videos on the Xbox Live marketplace, available for 100 MS points each ($1.25 USD), showing the locations of all the COG tags in Gears of War. With free resources like GameFAQS and YouTube already doling out this information to the masses, this is nothing but an unadulterated grab for cash, and because P.T. Barnum was right about suckers, there will be plenty of people who pay for these videos.Although Mark Rein of Epic Games previously told us that it's Microsoft's store and they can do what they want, in all seriousness, this is insulting to gamers, legitimizes the belief that marketplace is continuing to test the limits of micro-softly-raping-payments and hurts the reputation of Epic. Although these videos are produced by Brady Games, the average consumer is just going to blame Epic and Microsoft. This is exactly what the marketplace should never be used for.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ghost @ Apr 26th 2007 2:37AM
I like the picture :>
jimjo @ Apr 26th 2007 2:45AM
its pathetic, walkthroughs for monies LOLERBARBIE
qbix @ Apr 26th 2007 2:55AM
You forgot to mention Guitar Hero song packs.
Rod Oracheski @ Apr 26th 2007 2:57AM
"Although these videos are produced by Brady Games, the average consumer is just going to blame Epic and Microsoft. This is exactly what the marketplace should never be used for."
They'll do that because of sites like this that spend the entire newspost blaming Epic and Microsoft, then mention they had nothing at all to do with it at the very end.
It's Brady Games sucking money out of gamers. Is that a surprise? Go check out their selection of "guides" some time. Many are utterly worthless and most, if not all, have horrible errors about the game.
This is at least somewhat useful, even if available free elsewhere. People too lazy to look it up on YouTube probably deserve to pay the $1.25.
Slaziman @ Apr 26th 2007 2:59AM
People buy strategy guides all the time, even though GameFAQs exists, so what's the big deal?
bearattack79 @ Apr 26th 2007 3:00AM
I dont see why everyone is all upset about it. I mean really, its a strategy guide.
Ive seen them for sale in the stores, and some people buy them. I personaly think they spoil the game.
Oh and a market place is a place you go to spend money.
If you dont want to spend money stay HOME!
Like PS3 home.
erikislame @ Apr 26th 2007 3:22AM
BradyGames publishing has been robbing stupid (and lazy/bored/boring) gamers of their money for over 10 years running. This is a natural extension of their dumbass product.
I am sad to see that MS picked up a contract with them, though. I can only imagine Sony + Nintendo aren't so far away from "virtual content" sales agreements with these assholes, as these "authorized" guides are given the greenlight by all parties involved. (developers, platform corporations, et al)
Frickin' hate these stupid guides and the corporate game stores who push them on people.
Fanboys/geeks/nerds: Please settle on this point-- don't hate all over the stupid people that purchase these guides. Instead give them an intervention of sorts to talk them out of wasting their money and ENJOYING THE GAMES THEY BOUGHT.
You'll be helping to crap all over a company that truly sucks. Whether you love Sony or the Big N or MS: BradyGames is the biggest industry crapweasel evuh.
The very definition of money for NOTHING.
(And using the internet, for free, when things get too hard.)
ps: If i get any BradyGames Strategy Guide fanboy responses to this post, i will probably vomit all over the keyboard. Does ANYONE have affection for this evil menace? Christ, they suck *almost* as much as EA in re: anti-customer profiteering.
"EA Games: We Shit on Quality In the interest of Profit!"
(last part was an out of context rant. sorry, commenters)
wackychan @ Apr 26th 2007 3:24AM
Come on MS. Just go ahead and start selling those rich gamers achievement points.
You know you would if you could. *roffle*
Ed @ Apr 26th 2007 3:25AM
People are going to be upset because people love to complain. Not to mention the fact that people love to complain about people complaining, so this leads to a whole circle of complaining that has no point but is very funny to read.
That aside, it's a pretty stupid idea that Brady Games came up with. Greed is good, apparently.
Shawn D @ Apr 26th 2007 3:27AM
How pathetic....
Eric @ Apr 26th 2007 3:34AM
Actually, I don't have a problem with these. If you are dumb enough to buy them, more power to the people producing it. Strategy guides are just as useless and far more expensive, but I don't see you bitching about them. The overpriced game content is my big gripe, along with EA's pay to unlock in Tiger and a couple of other games. The first is raping your loyal consumers and the second is paying to cheat. Total BS on both counts. I have not, and will not, purchase GHII until the song "packs" which should be individual (you're telling me namco and konami can do it, but not activision? Bullshit.), and should be $1 a song. Period. If that is never the case, then I, for one, will never buy the game.
James @ Apr 26th 2007 3:34AM
Pardon my ignorance, but what the hell is a COG tag?
Eric @ Apr 26th 2007 3:37AM
Sorry, I just have to respond to this... #6... PS3 Home is the place to go if you don't want to spend money? ... You ARE aware they are going to charge you money for EVERY SINGLE THING in PS3 home, right? They have stated this. Yeah, I want to buy a virtual couch and a ecko shirt. Yep, you're right, sony is much more consumer friendly. Please try to dislodge your head from your ass, if possible.
ill trooper @ Apr 26th 2007 3:39AM
I'll admit I'm getting a bit wary of this stuff. I have no problem with the 'horse armor' thing, after all, it's your choice to buy it, etc. But it does water down my own interest in wading through buying choices if many of them are filler and money-grabs.
While on the topic, can I make a motion that we just start calling these things 'Transactions,' and deliberately ignore the 'Micro' aspect of these things, like Microsoft is doing?
It's a little language game that they're using to make people feel more inclined to spend, and we're spending dollars, often times $6, $8, $10 or more.
When I buy a Hostess Honey-Bun at the 7-11 for $1, I don't call it a "microtransaction." It's a real transaction. I'm spending a dollar.
Oh and yes, another dollar for that Big Gulp. How many points for a burrito again?
Also, I have to disagree with this guy:
"...Sites like this that spend the entire newspost blaming Epic and Microsoft, then mention they had nothing at all to do with it at the very end."
Not really. Nothing related to 'Gears of War' goes on without Epic's approval. Surely you remember the level of control that was flexed in this example:
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/08/epic-threatens-to-curb-stomp-fan-for-gears-of-war-munny-doll/
Anonymous @ Apr 26th 2007 3:40AM
Gears of war version of a dog tag. The Gears of War logo, as you might have noticed, is a cog, and the "Cogtag" is just a horrible attempt at a joke.
But seriously, this article basically bashes Epic and Microsoft for no good reason, and then as a footnote states that Brady Games is responsible for this and not Epic or Microsoft. And yeah right, like this hurts the credibility (even if Epic was responsible, which they are not) of the dev house that has brought us Gears of War, and every Unreal since the first one (basically over a decade of insanely fun FPS's) not to mention the engine that was used in more games than I care to mention this last generation (not to mention the new Unreal 3 Engine, that is arguably the best Engine on the market right now)
But yeah, I'm sure Brady games attempt at money grabbing is going to hurt them. Almost certainly. Yep.
Eric @ Apr 26th 2007 3:47AM
I totally agree with #14 on the "micro" part. At the point a single piece of content was 30 ******* dollars, they were "micro" no more. One parting shot at the PS3 home. There is also a very real chance you will have to BUY your achievements after you unlock them if you want to display them based on the word choice used when they were being spoken about. At least MS doesn't charge for achievements... yet...
GamerG @ Apr 26th 2007 3:52AM
In Sony home you have to buy the virtual Tv to hang on your virtual wall to view your own video's
Now thats microtransacting!
GamerG @ Apr 26th 2007 3:57AM
Epic own the intelelctual rights to Gears of War so they could have stopped it if they wanted to!
How many achievement points to you get for collecting all the cog tags anyway? I'm interested....
j.brannan @ Apr 26th 2007 4:11AM
"We are not amused"
Hear, hear.
ymmv @ Apr 26th 2007 4:10AM
I don't see the problem here. If you want to know the locations of all the cog tags, you can eiter get the information for free in usermade how-to videos on Youtube, usermade walkthru's on gamefaqa or you can pay money for professionally made commercial offerings like Strategy Guides or these instruction videos.
If you don't want it, don't buy it. Its not like MS/Epic are making you pay for something you already have.
Corey B. @ Apr 26th 2007 4:51AM
It is one thing to complain about the pricing of the Guitar Hero II packs or about the Godfather selling cheats but this seems to be just complaining for the hell of it; strategy guides have been around for years so why all the whinging when they are presented in a digital format? Face it, GameFAQs isn't a tool used by the masses so the typical casual gamer will probably be happy about these videos...either way, the best way to end wallet raping like this is to just not pay for crap like this.
Nate @ Apr 26th 2007 4:54AM
I... just can't... stop laughing at that picture!
B Tizo @ Apr 26th 2007 5:29AM
Joystiq, Xbox360Fanboy, and all the Marketplace haters need to get off their high horse...
What's the difference between this and buying the guide in the store? Some people like the convenience of a motion picture visual. I don't see why it's a bad thing that Microsoft is trying to flood it's marketplace with content. In the math I was taught in high school, something is always better than nothing.
Let's also remember that the prices are dictated by the Publishers, which in this case is Brady Games, not MS or Epic. Yell at them by NOT BUYING their content. Get of Microsoft's back for trying to provide for their fan-base. Everyone has been all over them for every little transaction that has come out on the Marketplace, especially GHII. Well, they must be doing something right because they are selling stuff like crazy. I own a bunch of arcade games, download regularly from the video marketplace (Red vs. Blue FTW), and buy all the expansions for my favorite games.
People forget that this has never happened before on a console. (Yes, I know it has been tried before, but never had this much success). Microsoft is truly in unchartered waters. Sure, expansions and DLC has been huge on a PC for a long time, but come on, the 360 is a little white box that can play games, stream tons of media, and download movies in HD and expansion packs for games. It's pretty damn cool, and of course there are going to be hiccups along the way. If you don't want the stuff, don't f-ing buy it. Simple.
Besides, all the people who are commenting on this site are the internet savvy people out there. They can go to a GameFaqs or YouTube and find whatever they need. I'm sure there are some people out there who like the convenience of being able to download the videos for the COG tags. I also don't remember this big of a fuss when the other Gears strategy guide downloads (also at 100 MSpts) were released back in December. I'm pretty sure this is just a continuing backlash from the "expensive" GHII content.
Do I think that some content is too expensive? Sure, I'd be crazy not to think that. Do I need to get up in arms over every new piece of content released on the Marketplace? No. MS is already aware of the community's concerns on this matter. It's really as simple as not buying it, or posting websites that have the content for free. But on the whole, I think the content is actually fairly priced. The new Rainbow Six: Vegas content is full of stuff and for only 800 points its a steal. The new Halo 2 maps at 2 bucks each, another steal. I know many of you think MS is out for the almighty dollar, and I'm sure that's a big motivation, but if you look at their Xbox division's revenue (or lack thereof), I'd say they have most of our interests at heart. Give them some chances, things will work out. They always do for Gates and his crew.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Apr 26th 2007 5:41AM
Yeah, I dunno. These are kinda dumb. And I'd never buy them myself. But they don't really "offend" me. They're not exhorbitantly priced, when you consider the fact that they're (presumably) in 720p or 1080i high definition, as opposed to some YouTube video, and somebody somewhere had to make them (presumably said somebody would want to make money).
It'd probably be better if these videos were ad supported (like YouTube), which makes its money off the backs of copyright holders or suckers who provide it free content. But whatever. If someone wants to waste their money on this, it doesn't bother me as much as overpriced horse dresses, ripoff song packs for "Guitar Hero" or charging money for cheat codes does.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Apr 26th 2007 5:45AM
"anyone who play gaytard hero is gay you look stupid while play is like ddr get over it the game sucks"
You know what? Being unable to write coherent sentences looks even more stupid. And what's wrong with being gay, anyway? Some of my best friends are gay. I'd rather be gay than a bigoted cretin.
KirbyMeister @ Apr 26th 2007 5:59AM
Buck up gamers. Rising development costs and squeezed profit margins means game developers are going to be looking for any way to eke out a profit that they can get. Don't like it? Get a Wii. ;) But in all honesty, this has got to stop. Map packs were fine, because they added to the game in the first place. But now we have all sorts of crap that doesn't add to the game at all. Horse armor is a prime example. Do game companies think we're all a bunch of 20-something saps with money to burn? NO!
And of course, "microtransactions" is always a misnomer. There's nothing on XBL that costs less than a dollar. In fact, the whole concept of micropayments was to eke out a profit from operating a website by charging a small amount per page. The idea was that people would be too stupid or ignorant to notice that the five cents per page added up to a real transaction.
This failed for many reasons, of which I don't want to talk about right now. In any case, micropayments are STUPID STUPID STUPID! And besides these microtransactions aren't even micro! They're normal transactions! It's just a freaking buzzword!
Although, a lot of the complaining about XBLA content is also getting lame. Strategy guides have existed long before XBLA, and they will continue to enforce the stupidity tax for some time. Just ignore them - they aren't selling anything exclusive, anyway.
Striderhayasa @ Apr 26th 2007 6:24AM
Okay so let me get this straight...
MS/Brady/Epic allowed strat videos for Gears on Xbox Live Marketplace for S1.25 a piece when the information has already been available for free on the web for months ... and a lot of you people don't think that's a problem? Yeah...there's definately a lot of high intelligence in this place.
Torrey @ Apr 26th 2007 6:43AM
No one's forcing you to buy them. I find these strategy guide microtransactions pretty easy to ignore, personally.
Erwos @ Apr 26th 2007 7:09AM
"MS/Brady/Epic allowed strat videos for Gears on Xbox Live Marketplace for S1.25 a piece when the information has already been available for free on the web for months ... and a lot of you people don't think that's a problem?"
If I was somehow forced to buy them, yes. But I'm not, so no.
Stop trying to make decisions for everyone else. If you don't like it, don't buy it.
Rubang B @ Apr 26th 2007 7:28AM
26. "anyone who play gaytard hero is gay you look stupid while play is like ddr get over it the game sucks"
You know what? Being unable to write coherent sentences looks even more stupid. And what's wrong with being gay, anyway? Some of my best friends are gay. I'd rather be gay than a bigoted cretin.
And I'd rather be dead than be orAngeMicro.
Savok @ Apr 26th 2007 7:33AM
It's a tax on stupid people.
Until they start cracking down on sites like GameFAQs and message boards and fan made YouTube videos, this isn't a problem at all. It's just something stupid for the stupid.
Ieu-ee @ Apr 26th 2007 7:52AM
Why do we care? I didn't buy horse armour and I won't buy these vids. The only way I'd be upset if THIS sort of stuff was hindering other people from putting useful/free content on Live Marketplace
Ian Von Porter @ Apr 26th 2007 8:06AM
Most likely Epic made the videos as a fan favour to garner more support, and loyalty... they would have put it on youtube for free... but, then, .... Micro$oft came in and said...
"hey, we're still bleeding monies off our entertainment unit... yoink! (grabs videos and puts them on xbl for monies).. thank you, oh.. and, get your ass working on the sequel to the triple platinum GoW, pretty please."
NewbieZilla @ Apr 26th 2007 8:16AM
I see people spending about 25/30 euros on strategy guides for games. Huge waste of money, but they were there. I think this is a waste of significantly less money, but a waste nonetheless.
Its up to people if they want to just happen to have a cheaper way to get this info than the strat guide, and want another video on the game. Besides, they already have strategy videos up on the marketplace. Something like 4 of them.
In short, i'm not going to buy it, but congrats Joystiq on an attempt to make definitive on "What is cool."
Boss Tempo @ Apr 26th 2007 8:15AM
"anyone who play gaytard hero is gay you look stupid while play is like ddr get over it the game sucks"
Man, what a mess of a statement. Let me try to respond in orAngeMicro's native language:
"Anyone who write dumb out of place comment is gay you sound stupid while type is like retard kid in 2nd grade get over it you go back to school and ask question what period is"
So paying a buck or 2 for strategy videos doesn't seem too outlandish to me. Like everyone has already said, they've been charging for this type of stuff for years and there's always the internet for free cheats if you really need them.
Jake @ Apr 26th 2007 8:20AM
I wouldn't be mad if Epic was doing this to be honest. I want game devs to profit more off of stupid people than me. That way they can have a bigger budget for their next game. But since it is Brady I am not amused. They're worthless. I almost wish MS just didn't allow it.
The bottom line, though, is you are stupid to get really upset about this. Do you throw a fit when you go to walmart and they are charging $15 for a Gigli DVD?
ssuk @ Apr 26th 2007 8:43AM
Gears of War walkthrough videos have also been on the marketplace for ages, I fail to see why further additions to these videos urk you so much, joystiq.
Kizzle @ Apr 26th 2007 9:04AM
What's with you 'tards who think Microsoft has no say in any of this?
You mean Microsoft, who makes money off the points you have to buy to purchase this nonsense?
Microsoft, who has to test and approve every piece of content that goes up on the XBLM?
Microsoft could EASILY put a stop to this. It's THEIR SERVICE, morons. Unless "BradyGames Live" shows up on a BradyGames console, no matter who develops the content, Microsoft has final say whether it's available or not.
Oh, and boooo to the main article for not mentioning GH2's bonus content prices.
The Crowing One @ Apr 26th 2007 9:05AM
Oh, come on.
Considering the ramifications of the postmodern consumer market, the varied ways in which to acquire information, goods and services fits perfectly with this move. While the "guide" is overpriced and unnecessary, the very fact that there is a visible and vocal backlash has a number of effects: (1) That all press is good press (I just remembered that I still haven't collected all those tags yet). (2) It raises the profile of free information via this series of tubes. (3) Most importantly, it provides yet another source of information. There are people who'd rather get an "official" guide then relying on the internet. I know that I own and use my Prima guide to Oblivion quite often. I also know that everything in those pages is free on the internet. I chose to have a hardcopy which was nicely bound and officiated.
We should be lauding the increased power and choice of the consumer, and using that power and choice to tell Brady how ridiculous the price tag is. I think we're well on our way toward that, already.
Nicholas @ Apr 26th 2007 9:07AM
The only worthy thing that needs to be said about this:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gears+of+war+cogs&search=Search
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 9:07AM
Okay, know what? I'm either gonna piss of people or make them love me. I buy strat guides on certain games. Not because I want to ruin the run, but because many games feature secrets sooo deep, they are nearly impossible to find without obsessing over (Zodiac Spear, FFXII anyone?). Now, having said that, there IS one way I would buy these guides and that's IF they integrated with the software itself.
Let's take these videos for example. I would buy them if I could hit the guide button and cue them up in the dashboard panel. I don't want to drop all the way out of the game. Likewise, I would love to have a walkthrough formated like IGNs which could be brought up through a wing like that. Those, I would pay for. Others? Not so much.
Right now, I'm voting with my wallet.
silver gecko @ Apr 26th 2007 9:16AM
Why shouldn't the marketplace be used to sell content to people who want to buy it? These strategy videos aren't key to the game and they aren't required for anything. If someone wants to download the video and pay 100 points for it let them. If you think it's not worth the price, don't buy it. If people are paying for this type of content, why should they stop? Be angry at the sheep who keep paying high prices for things like this and marked up Guitar Hero songs on marketplace, but you really can't blame the people who run marketplace for catering to a group of people who will in fact pay for this content. This is a business, not a charity; they are supposed to make money off you.
Striderhayasa @ Apr 26th 2007 9:29AM
@erwos
you can suck it. You don't like how I feel about? go to hell.
Dan @ Apr 26th 2007 9:45AM
Cog tags are easy to find, what retard can't find them by themselves, they are all in obvious places, with the big gear logo painted on nearby walls to show you where they are.
AirIntake @ Apr 26th 2007 9:48AM
@Striderhayasa
Your small penis acting up today? Just because you think this content is a rip off it doesn't mean that everyone has to agree with you or is retarded. There are lots of things available for free on the internet that people pay for. Encyclopedias still sell copies, even though Wikipedia exists. Maps still sell even though Google has maps. So guess what, you can suck it, you can go to hell, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.
heavyness @ Apr 26th 2007 11:36AM
this isn't really news, is it. if you don't need the strategy guide, don't buy it. and those who do, 100 points [500 total] isn't to bad.
i don't care for strategy guides, so this doesn't effect me. but if i wanted to be more like joystiq, i could make a poster, go outside, and complain to people as they walk-by in hopes i find some more people who hate Microsoft and we can bitch about it together...
jaysins @ Apr 26th 2007 11:40AM
This event, and others like it could help save the world. Ok, let me explain.
How do idiots get laid? Usually involving alcohol or other less than average intelligent people. Said person goes to a bar, meets equally dumb fluzy, buys her some drinks, takers her back to his place. Doesn't know how to use a condom, girl doesn't know what one is, and they fornicate. Nine months later we have an even less intelligent baby waiting to repeat the process in a couple decades.
What MS is doing is parting the fool with his money in an effort to save us all, well us average and above people, like myself of course. Fool can't go to bar and spend required money pick up dumb broad and have stupid babies. It's brilliant and down right charitable to the human race.
I just want to say thank you Microsoft, thank you and god speed.
Baran @ Apr 26th 2007 12:21PM
Where is the dog from, whats the name of the cartoon or character
The GeeT @ Apr 26th 2007 12:30PM
"I... just can't... stop laughing at that picture!"
...neither can I. Too good.
Getting mad at this is like getting mad at the latest infomercial or $19.99 dollar piece of crap you see being pushed on TV. Instead...shake your head, move on, and wonder why you don't have the (lack of) scruples required to sell your own $19.99 total piece of crap to idiots and make millions too. After all, turning over a pancake is so damn impossible.
Watership @ Apr 26th 2007 12:46PM
You guys know that in something we call "Stores" there have been books and magazines called strategy guides and books full of cheats. And in these "Stores" they charge for them!
*SHOCK!*
Brady Games makes strategy and cheat guide books. They now are making videos. OH MY GOD WHAT A NEW CATASTROPHE!!!
Idiots.