Speaking as a BIG Gears fan.. Paying for maps is Insane!

[QUOTE="alfy13"]Wow i just love your logic btw. so your telling me for the past 10-11 years that i have been a loyal fan of Unreal series and never been charged for BONUS PACKS THAT EPIC MADE ( not player made btw) but once MS publish a game taht epic makes its a OK to charge? even thougth EPIC STATED THEY WANTED TO GIVE THEM OUT FOR FREE? but MS FEELS DIFFERENTLY?

i guess you forgot, EPic is   are the one who stated they wants to give gears of war maps for free. if you really think it cost LOTS of money to make  for 3 maps for a game they already finsished and just add content to .  th en yah no point in agruing with you any more. but all i know is, im going to laugh when UT comes out for all 3 gameing systems, and the 360 gamers are the only one being charged for maps. but then again lemmings will spin that and try to damage control that also.

11Marcel

I'll just quote myself from the post you responded to: "Yeah, it's not like I approve of what M$ is doing too."

Or did you not read my post?

[QUOTE="HazeNPopes"][QUOTE="mismajor99"][QUOTE="tango90101"][QUOTE="alfy13"][QUOTE="11Marcel"][QUOTE="okristian"][QUOTE="11Marcel"]

Yes, because we all know it costs nothing to develop multiplayer maps...

Of course the price for maps can be too much, but not every developer is generous enough to make some more maps and give them away like a christmas present. Also, this is not new or something. Paying for maps has been around. (I know, not with PC).

tango90101

you make a lot of assumptions...

1. you still haven't provided any proof that MS is forcing epic to charge.

2. paying for maps (xbox live) is better than paying for virtual clothes and furniture (PSN Home)...

3. MS gave away 98% free content last gen on xbox live... someone had to pay for the work. Yep, MS did... where were you thanking them for that..? ;)

your bias is too great to be ignored.

IT'S NOT BIASED!!! GO HERE AND LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST WITH EPIC AND HOW THEY DISAGREE WITH MICROSOFT AND HOW THEY ARE HANDLING EXTRA CONTENT FOR THE COMMUNITY:

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zdmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o1/Podcasts/040607.mp3 

HEY...why stop there.. why doens't epic just give away their games...(epic is full of crap)

that'll teach ms...:roll:

funny thing is; if they wanted to charge but MS didn't let them, they'd be screaming bloody murder...

ps...don't believe everything you hear... saying they don't want money is one thing; REALLY not wanting money is another....

epic  and gaming is a business, kiddies... biz is for making money...;)

Wrong attitude:  First of all, remember the days when you beat a great game, and that was it?  I mean, end of story, nothing, and you waited FOREVER to see a sequel?  Well, now the time need not be so long, you can get something new after 6 months, or a year, to spice things up!  They could just leave it the way it was, and boom, here is the game, thats that! 

 Secondly, maps, weapons, anything released on XBOX live is NOT free.  They pay devs (Who are not exactly low payed employees) to do these things.  They take time, not only for the making, but then the inevitable testing, to be released.  You don't know what they cost, and don't pretend too.

 Thirdly, the more money a dev makes, the more likely he is to release more content, and work on a new game.  4 new maps is something cool, something new, and adds to the game you already play.  Don't like it, don't download em, but come on, 8 bucks for 4 new maps is NOT a ridiculous price, get over it. 

Wrong attitude:  First of all, remember the days when you beat a great game, and that was it?  I mean, end of story, nothing, and you waited FOREVER to see a sequel?  Well, now the time need not be so long, you can get something new after 6 months, or a year, to spice things up!  They could just leave it the way it was, and boom, here is the game, thats that! 

 Secondly, maps, weapons, anything released on XBOX live is NOT free.  They pay devs (Who are not exactly low payed employees) to do these things.  They take time, not only for the making, but then the inevitable testing, to be released.  You don't know what they cost, and don't pretend too.

 Thirdly, the more money a dev makes, the more likely he is to release more content, and work on a new game.  4 new maps is something cool, something new, and adds to the game you already play.  Don't like it, don't download em, but come on, 8 bucks for 4 new maps is NOT a ridiculous price, get over it. 

BillHarrison7

2nd paragraph, its called adding maps to a already finished product. its not like they are revamping gears of war. they are only adding maps that they made with a finished game engine.

3rd pargraph, EPIc has always gave out maps for free. its MS who wants to charge us for maps on a already popular game.

4th you name me one game that epic has charged for bonus packs? and show me the link of them doing so. then you show me  a game that MS is foricing Epic to charge for maps? I can already answer quetion 2, but you will never find answer to question to number one.

[QUOTE="BillHarrison7"]

Wrong attitude:  First of all, remember the days when you beat a great game, and that was it?  I mean, end of story, nothing, and you waited FOREVER to see a sequel?  Well, now the time need not be so long, you can get something new after 6 months, or a year, to spice things up!  They could just leave it the way it was, and boom, here is the game, thats that! 

 Secondly, maps, weapons, anything released on XBOX live is NOT free.  They pay devs (Who are not exactly low payed employees) to do these things.  They take time, not only for the making, but then the inevitable testing, to be released.  You don't know what they cost, and don't pretend too.

 Thirdly, the more money a dev makes, the more likely he is to release more content, and work on a new game.  4 new maps is something cool, something new, and adds to the game you already play.  Don't like it, don't download em, but come on, 8 bucks for 4 new maps is NOT a ridiculous price, get over it. 

alfy13

2nd paragraph, its called adding maps to a already finished product. its not like they are revamping gears of war. they are only adding maps that they made with a finished game engine.

3rd pargraph, EPIc has always gave out maps for free. its MS who wants to charge us for maps on a already popular game.

4th you name me one game that epic has charged for bonus packs? and show me the link of them doing so. then you show me  a game that MS is foricing Epic to charge for maps? I can already answer quetion 2, but you will never find answer to question to number one.

1   Well, I for one never have ever seen an expansion pack for my 2600, NES, SNES, or N64.  When you were done with a game, you were done.  Sure, you could replay to collect extra items you may have missed, or to get a higher score, but that was it.  We are talking about consoles here, expansion packs are not the point.

2   I never claimed they were revamping gears of war.  Its a finished product.  These maps are not.  So, are you attempting to tell me it takes 0 - Hours to make, test, and deploy these maps?  Do you honestly believe that?

3   Perhaps Epic has always given out maps for free, I am not sure, this is the first epic game I have ever purchased.  Just because something was free / cheaper last week does not mean it will ALWAYS be so.  Gas was .89 a gallon when I started driving, now its 3.  That roast on sale last week at the grocers will not be on sale this week, and you will have to pay full price.  My free first month of live was gone, so I had to PAY for the next year.  Get the point?

4   See previous answer

 Microsoft owns the Gears of War IP, and I have NO problem with them making money off of it.  I will buy the maps, you don't have too.  Very simple.  I look at it 2 ways.  A:  I am getting something for my money.  This is NOT a donation.  I provide Money, they provide maps.  B: Its putting some extra cash in the coffers for future games, consoles, etc.  This is not a charity.

[QUOTE="alfy13"][QUOTE="BillHarrison7"]

Wrong attitude:  First of all, remember the days when you beat a great game, and that was it?  I mean, end of story, nothing, and you waited FOREVER to see a sequel?  Well, now the time need not be so long, you can get something new after 6 months, or a year, to spice things up!  They could just leave it the way it was, and boom, here is the game, thats that! 

 Secondly, maps, weapons, anything released on XBOX live is NOT free.  They pay devs (Who are not exactly low payed employees) to do these things.  They take time, not only for the making, but then the inevitable testing, to be released.  You don't know what they cost, and don't pretend too.

 Thirdly, the more money a dev makes, the more likely he is to release more content, and work on a new game.  4 new maps is something cool, something new, and adds to the game you already play.  Don't like it, don't download em, but come on, 8 bucks for 4 new maps is NOT a ridiculous price, get over it. 

BillHarrison7

2nd paragraph, its called adding maps to a already finished product. its not like they are revamping gears of war. they are only adding maps that they made with a finished game engine.

3rd pargraph, EPIc has always gave out maps for free. its MS who wants to charge us for maps on a already popular game.

4th you name me one game that epic has charged for bonus packs? and show me the link of them doing so. then you show me  a game that MS is foricing Epic to charge for maps? I can already answer quetion 2, but you will never find answer to question to number one.

1   Well, I for one never have ever seen an expansion pack for my 2600, NES, SNES, or N64.  When you were done with a game, you were done.  Sure, you could replay to collect extra items you may have missed, or to get a higher score, but that was it.  We are talking about consoles here, expansion packs are not the point.

2   I never claimed they were revamping gears of war.  Its a finished product.  These maps are not.  So, are you attempting to tell me it takes 0 - Hours to make, test, and deploy these maps?  Do you honestly believe that?

3   Perhaps Epic has always given out maps for free, I am not sure, this is the first epic game I have ever purchased.  Just because something was free / cheaper last week does not mean it will ALWAYS be so.  Gas was .89 a gallon when I started driving, now its 3.  That roast on sale last week at the grocers will not be on sale this week, and you will have to pay full price.  My free first month of live was gone, so I had to PAY for the next year.  Get the point?

4   See previous answer

 Microsoft owns the Gears of War IP, and I have NO problem with them making money off of it.  I will buy the maps, you don't have too.  Very simple.  I look at it 2 ways.  A:  I am getting something for my money.  This is NOT a donation.  I provide Money, they provide maps.  B: Its putting some extra cash in the coffers for future games, consoles, etc.  This is not a charity.

answer to number one is called expansion pack.

2. i never said you feel epic revamped gears of war. but if you really think it cost alot to make 3 maps when the game has sold 5million at 59.99 a pop, then no need for me to even talk about this matter to you.

3. Even Epic in a podcast stated they disgree with MS charging for maps for a game that is already finished. so stop trying to spin it.

4. Your right MS owns the IP which makes them greedy for charging for maps that should be free, when Epic stated they want them for free.   any how i had enough with this subject. MS loves milking its customers, that is the bottom line.

Yes, because we all know it costs nothing to develop multiplayer maps...

Of course the price for maps can be too much, but not every developer is generous enough to make some more maps and give them away like a christmas present. Also, this is not new or something. Paying for maps has been around. (I know, not with PC).

11Marcel

I dunno why, but I'm kinda affraid that Microsoft's gonna try to pull-off the same concept with Games for Windows Live. If that happens, I sure wish Microsoft a nice, slow and painful death.

It is foolish to think that Microsoft is in the console business just so that they can compete fairly with Nintendo and Sony. Microsoft has shown time and time again that they intend to subsidize their entry to new markets by leveraging their monopolies. Microsoft takes over markets, kill the competition, put up a barriers of entry, cut down on Research and Development, and then start over-charging for services. Their strategy is beginning to surface with their Xbox. Microsoft is now tying users to their brand, and using that to force players to buy stuff that used to come for free. They need to do so to make up for the 4 billion+ worth of losses that was incurred with their failed Xbox1 experiment. It should be of no surpise that once Microsoft kills Sony, they will have the dominant position to increase the prices, charge you for everything, and you can't do anything about it because there is no competition. The more you support Microsoft, the worse it will get. As a consumer, Microsoft should be the last company that you should support.KageMonkey

This man speaks the truth.

Read this article about the running archive that was shut down in Febuary 2007. If this doesn't make you nervous, I don't know what will.

http://www.theregister.com/2007/02/20/microsoft_missing_archive/

Here is a backed up archive of some of their tactics that were saved from the website before it was taken down, the rest you can find on a torrent near you.....

http://edge-op.org/iowa/www.iowaconsumercase.org/

As someone who's been using MS products since they've been in business(Unless there are other options), they know exactly how to corner the market. Otherwise you wouldn't have seen MS in court all through the 90's for violating anti-trust law, not to mention the thousands of other cases of litigation they've been in. MS is lucky the Bush administration came to power as the case was dropped. They've been bullying companies in the PC space for a long time(Too many examples to list, and you would honestly have to be a fanboy not to realize this. Their tactics scare the hell out of me, but at the same time, they have not only cornered the PC market, they are on their way to doing it in the console market as well. Just take a look at MS's biggest money maker and what subsidizes all their other ventures, WINDOWS. Now, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that Windows is overall a lousy operating system, but there is no need for MS to make it better, and this has been proven throughout the years. As a PC Gamer, we've been forced to us their OS, and this is even more evident now that Vista is being forced upon us in order to gain DX10 abilities, that otherwise should have easily been implemented in XP through a service pack. Other than that, Open GL is a much more effecient interface, but now it's all but shut out, alhough id software and a few others still use it.

This is all a problem because they have no competition, as Apple has very little of the market. Thankfully, Linux(Free for god's sake!) is starting to gain ground, but the barrier of entry is much steeper for the average consumer, but this is starting to change. It will be a wonderful day when Linux gains enough market share to compete with a Juggernaut like MS, but that's probably the day hell freezes over.