Thanks for your feedback. I think its a very interesting topic and a a lot more discussion needs to happen. I would have liked to read into more but any kind of real academic study into it is beyond the scope of my writing.
From a marketing point of veiw, It is a serious problem. Reducing cognitive dissonance is a huge part of what good marketers do, yet I dont see it happening in video games at all. There is no reason for xbox owners and ps3 owners to be at each others throats, ...
I think what may have been misunderstood about the article here is that I'm not trying to undermine the update. Only put the announcement and PR strategy of Microsoft into context I.E. that they feel the need to trumpet everything from the rooftops like they're over compensating for something. Meanwhile Nintendo cooly just slips in little things here and there and ends up with such a huge and adoring fan base. That is all. I'm just posing the question, not arguing that Microsoft sucks.
In my defence, I'm not talking about the update specifically and I'm not saying anything about Microsoft's strategy. I'm sure it will be a huge success. I'm trying to make a wider point about how it's delivered and that Microsoft feels the need to shout from the rooftops whenever it does anything whilst Nintendo can just introduce really simple (and I admit probably useless) ideas quietly yet people still adore it.
Thats the whole point, by delivering good services and experiences beyond the actual game (or any software product) it makes having the genuine article worth the money and effort.
The problem with advertising on web sites is that ads are often placed by databases, little if no thought goes into it. Sometimes adverts that do not fit with the site will slip through the net.
I think the biggest misconception among the everyday consumer is that marketing means the same thing as advertising - rather than advertising being just one tool that the marketer uses to deliver a product to consumers. Its a shame when some people let all the stigma and stereotypes that surround marketing cloud their vision (something about seeing past their nose) and prevent them from seeing that marketing is a process that makes things possible, rather than some kind of corporate conspirac...
Oh and... DOWN WITH THE FACSIST GOVERNMENT!
Put that in your pipe and smoke it establishment!
I think alot of people need to look up a defenition of "Irony".
It is alot of money, Play.com shouldn't have it exclusive then it would have to compete on price for consumers. This is pretty much exploitation of the games biggest fans.
This is all pretty mediocre stuff. Meh.
by Rockstar to get people not to play online before release date... I mean I have it pre-ordered and I have received no email. And I isnt the only one.
or... it could just be a load of baloney :D
If people did this story the tiniest bit of justice by reading beyond the title they'd notice it isn't a rant about Konami ID or how much Sony might suck but it raises and discusses issues to do with consumer behavoir and digital distribution.
Outside? When did this all happen? I think I must have missed this outside craze.
Which is a great shame, seen as this game really looks like it could bring something to the genre.
Anyone know the song in the ad? Sounds like a New Order, Depeche Mode remix but i'd like some confirmation. :D
It wasnt the technical aspect that lets the video down. It was tiny oversights, the human element. That let it down.
With the quality of the video, they faker could have easily used another game disc.
Considering MGS4 is filling up a dual layer blu ray (50gb give or take) I dont think we need to worry about it just yet. The internet and storage have a long way to go before they will overtake the physical media.
I mean, it has already started, look at things like iTunes and similar services, even streaming based sites like youtube are a part of it. I think it may take up to ten years for TOTAL intergration should that be where it goes, but the change itself will be gradual. We wont all wake up one morning and it'll be just there.
I had a PS2 from 2003 until last year (when I updated to PS3) and I never had one single problem, even after I spilt a can of guiness over it!