HD-DVD died because the industry collectively worked to kill it as a proprietary monster that would enslave users, studios, and developers to Microsoft's software. It wasn't a simple disc format struggle.
The public wasn't aware of what was going on behind the scenes because Microsoft worked diligently to spin a misinformation campaign that suggested that HD-DVD would be cheaper, more open, and deliver more content. Backers were fed talking points that insisted that HD-DVD discs were cheaper to create, that the Chinese would pump out ultra cheap players to support Microsoft, and that HD-DVD's DRM was somehow easier to get around than Blu-Ray. This was all false.
When charged with the reality that Microsoft is nothing more than a marketing organization pushing inferior technology tied to proprietary standards that will later be leveraged to extort higher prices, the company responds with a smoke screen that declares that its products will be first-to-market and supported by lowballing Chinese manufacturers. At the same time however, Microsoft has only ever delivered late, inferior products that have a higher total cost of ownership. Its supporters have worked hard to bury this reality even as Microsoft continues to raise prices on poor products that have limited competition, such as Windows Vista.
Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.
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Nvidia is allegedly testing GPU coolers to handle up to 600W for the 50 series, reigniting discussion of melting 16-pin connectors.
"Microsoft’s monopoly power is dissolving, and its ability to create anti-competitive partnerships and exclusive alliances is also falling apart. Its hardware partners have been led on wild goose chases with WinCE, desktop Windows, PlaysForSure, and now HD-DVD, leaving alliances with Microsoft looking more like charity exercises than business decisions."
They really do need to refocus on getting their base business fixed by putting out a quality OS.
At least he's not biased
I agree. "At the same time however, Microsoft has only ever delivered late, inferior products that have a higher total cost of ownership."
So true.
I HATE MICROSOFT!
I really don't have the want to argue all this articles points but just the fact that the author is making it sound like HD-DVD was MS's brainchild, it was Toshiba.
This is just someone with a huge grudge. Enjoy the additional DRM, region locking and scattered profile's of Blu-ray.
not really about video games. It is about computer software. I already knew most of this stuff. Microsoft is bad news because Apple computers do not get virus like Windows products. And PS3 don't break like 360. But when you see Microsoft products everywhere some people must think it must be good or they wouldn't be everywhere.