Microsoft disconnects Xbox gamers

[Cricketdude]

There is enough time for both in life. I play games, but it doesn't mean I don't socialise with people.

What are you doing on Planetcricket? go out in the real world, face to face...

 

[Biggy]

Yeah, can't really bag people out for liking vid games when you used to admin a Forum for Cricket 07 downloads..

 

[Covvy]

It's always good to have a hobby aside to your main things you do ie: Sport, Work, Uni.

 

[Sureshot]

Okay my comment on no companies making profit is stupid and way too generalised. But even some big ones make losses, look at EA. I know Sega have made losses in the last few years and we've all seen what's happened with TG, Australia's biggest dev.

If people are happy to shell out ?150 every now and then to buy a new console that is the same as they already have,

What? Each generation of console is generally far more advanced than the last.

Why does it cost more to buy a game for a console than it does on a PC? Because they know that they can get away with charging more.

There are more costs involved with console development.

 

[Kev]

What? Each generation of console is generally far more advanced than the last.

My point was that people are prepared to buy an x-box. Chip it. Play for a bit. Get banned. Buy another x-box. Chip it. etc.

Yes you have to go through a few more hoops to release something for a console. Yes that costs more, but it's the same game, written by the same people, sat at the same desks. Those costs don't have to be seperated, they are the same costs. The costs for the stuff you have to do to release for a console are not separate, its just a way of justifying charging more. Wrongly.

 

[Highlander999]

Yeah, can't really bag people out for liking vid games when you used to admin a Forum for Cricket 07 downloads..

I never said I'm not a loser Anyway, I've been here for nearly 4 years *cringes* doesn't mean I spend ever minute here (although I do spend too long on here ) That guys world is his x-box

 

[evertonfan]

That's a shite argument Matt. TBH, I don't have ?35 to spend on petrol every 10-14 days. Doesn't mean I just pull up in petrol stations, fill my car up and drive off. The money argument is a pretty poor excuse, end of the day the only reason people do it, is because it is easy to get away.

It wasn't even an argument, I was just saying why I do it.

And you're one to talk about shite arguments when you're the one lambasting gamers for spending their time indoors, when all the while you're telling them this by means of an online forum...

 

[Highlander999]

It wasn't even an argument, I was just saying why I do it.

So, how are you and little chav's who nick cars any different?

And you're one to talk about shite arguments when you're the one lambasting gamers for spending their time indoors, when all the while you're telling them this by means of an online forum...

See my post above yours

 

[evertonfan]

So, how are you and little chav's who nick cars any different?

I deprive multi-million quid games companies of a bit of loose change, they deprive people of their livelihood. Both morally wrong but I don't lose sleep over my crime.

 

[Highlander999]

Yet that then runs down the company affecting the guys who makes the games and also we see companies like Transmission go under and people losing their jobs and that is their livelihood. The guys at the top won't get affected, it's the common employee who is.

 

[Kev]

Like it or not Tom. There is a difference between downloading (or copying a game) and holding up a Petrol Station.

I bet if members are honest with themselves, a number of members would admit (to themselves) that at some time they have either copied a music CD or downloaded a game or Movie. I would put money on the fact that a large proportion of those have never (or will never) walked into a store and shoplifted a Game, Music CD or Movie.

They are both wrong of course, nobody is arguing that. But in the case of downloading something, you aren't really taking anything other than someone's time and effort. Nobody has actually lost anything solid, especially if you wouldn't have purchased the product anyway. Doesn't make it right, but there is a difference. it's kinda hard to explain, but if you take Music as an example. Used to be that if I wanted to buy an album, I popped down to Woolworths on a Saturday morning and came home with a big black vinyl disc in a cardboard sleeve with some nice artwork. It felt like I owned something. These days, you buy music form a download store, much cheaper, but you don't get that feeling that you own something real.

I have left out the buying of Pirated games from this argument as they are something different altogether.

 

[Highlander999]

Like it or not Tom. There is a difference between downloading (or copying a game) and holding up a Petrol Station.

I bet if members are honest with themselves, a number of members would admit (to themselves) that at some time they have either copied a music CD or downloaded a game or Movie. I would put money on the fact that a large proportion of those have never (or will never) walked into a store and shoplifted a Game, Music CD or Movie.

They are both wrong of course, nobody is arguing that. But in the case of downloading something, you aren't really taking anything other than someone's time and effort. Nobody has actually lost anything, especially if you wouldn't have purchased the product anyway. Doesn't make it right, but there is a difference.

I have left out the buying of Pirated games from this argument as they are something different altogether.

I disagree. Say I hack someones online bank account and empty it off all their cash. I'm not taking anything physically, just their savings which they have earnt through time and effort. Now say, I go to a cash machine and point a gun at someone and get them to empty their savings to me. According to you there is a difference?

 

[Kev]

In both your cases someone has lost something solid and measurable, they have lost their money. Is pointing a gun at someone worse? Well if I had to chose between having my bank account emptied or being robbed at gun point, I know which option I would go for. Of course we'd all rather not have to make the choice in the first place. But ye there is a difference. Rob someone, then rob someone else at gunpoint. Get caught doing both and you'll face a tougher penalty from the courts for the second offence.

It's just not as simple as saying that owning a copied Game is taking money from the Company. As I said, if you didn't own the game but didn't buy it either the software company is in the same financial boat. In both cases they have not made a sale. If they made the product cheaper would they make the sale? Perhaps.

I'm not meaning to come down on the side of software piracy here. I don't own an x-box. I won't ever own one. I'm not going down the route of paying for a console then over paying for games again. I don't buy many games (3 in the last year I think), but I did buy them and I purcased them from a certain online shop that sells them cheaper than RRP. I wouldn't have purchased them at the Manufacturers recommended price.

 

[Highlander999]

Meh, the debate has too many if's and but's. End of the day, imo, the people pirating know it is wrong. They do it cause they don't want to spend their money and it is easy to get away with. This makes them a criminal in my opinion and hopefully one day, they'll get their just reward, whether it is through the law or someone stealing stuff from them.

 

[Kev]

You could also argue that it is perhaps morally wrong to target unfinished games at minors and deprive them (or more likely their parents) of Money for a product that they know does not work. Then less than a year later release the same game with a few new bells and whistles and charge the same money for another incomplete product with the same faults as the first. Then do it over and over for years.