K1LLSWITCH

Personally I can't wait for F2P LOTRO! This will the THE game I'll be playing for years to come - I know it.

And in response to Piggles's post, F2P isn't as deceptive as most people think. Sure F2P members would need to purchase additional content if they want to expand on they're adventure(s), but it's not required. Of course I'm speaking of my first hand experiences with DDO. The game is completely opened up to everyone within the game world, giving the ability to reach the level cap without spending a penny. However, if people don't like the F2P aspect and trust better the subscription model, players can do that too. It's a win-win for everyone involved.

How I look at it F2P is no different that console gaming where if players want more content they would need to pay for it. No one is getting ripped off, and there's especially no deception.

Typical move, Microsoft. Bundle the controller only to get more money out of the consumer. What's next, over pricing people just to hit the power button on the 360?

No matter how you look at this whole situation retailers, online and off, will eventually run out of these discounted cards. Will they continue to print them out up until November, or will this deal last 'till September - October then stop?

This is all one huge hassle just to play games online. Again, there are other platforms out there that don't require stress such as this.

@False It's only a matter of time. You see how they handled Netflix by charging us to access the service? Expect that with Hulu Plus.

@Vidikron Exactly. Retailers would still need to pay full price for the yearly subscription cards, then individually mark them down to a discounted price at they're stores. What you'll see, still, is a minor price hike from the sales that we've grown accustomed and loved. Before the price bump we've been saving upwards to around $20-$40 per card. Now expect to see a savings of around $10-$20 per card after November 1st. Again, it all depends on where you go. Now mind you retailers still need to make profit per-card so the savings won't be much.

@Solace Not only is the PS3 the better way to go in terms of gaming, but it's built like a tank. Very rarely do we hear reports of the PS3 taking a dump on the consumer, resulting in repair costs. Whereas with the 360, the original or the new slim, they all STILL have problems. Money sink bests describes what Microsoft is going for and their "business practices" has worked for almost 5 years.

All I can say is I'm happy that I unsubscribed to XBL while I did. I don't care what kind of features is on the service it's simply not worth the money in the long term. A microtransaction style service would of been better suited in the long run for both the consumer and Microsoft themselves.

To put it simply, there are other platforms to play online games without the hassle of subscriptions. And now, finally, the consumer has realized this and slowly they're migrating elsewhere.

I see this as a trend. Celebrity band + video game trailer = popular game? I think not. Plus, it doesn't attract attention to the game, per se, it just embarrasses everyone involved within the gaming industry (gamers, developers, and publishers alike). We don't like to be sold out to stupid childish gimmicks.

Also, if I was to play the online multiplayer of MOH as the Taliban I would continuously commit suicide. Why should we give the terrorists the honor?

Well since it's been delayed can the Confrontation servers finally get a decent maintenance check to reduce lag? Wishful thinking I know.

@WC "It takes time (and for some people, money) to download and install the update. That means time they aren't playing games... Which is the reason they bought the console. Unless the update provides value to them, it's a pain in the rear.

(Some people don't have 'unlimited' internet and have to pay for the amount of information they transfer.)"

Let's look at this from a different perspective. It's ok for Microsoft to shut down XBL for an entire day, wasting everyone's precious game time, but when Sony releases a mandatory update that takes a few minutes to install and download, everyone is upset? Yes it's an update for the PS Store, and yes it seems pointless. But when the update is all said and done we all can go back to our games. The service isn't shut down for the day, and also yes the world will still be intact. CALM DOWN AND ENJOY YOUR DAMN GAMES!