Yes, but to be fair, that "free" game isn't free if you purchased the product that came with it for $60.00 at retail and that product completely failed to meet your expectations.
It's $60.00, minus the added value of whatever you would have paid for the "free" game.
Now, for the LOW, LOW price of $40, you can PAY to watch us stream advertisements that will be reported on the web 5 minutes later for FREE!
BUY NOW, SUPPLIES OF THIS VIRTUAL ITEM ARE LIMITED!
But seriously, even buying a "virtual ticket" for the swag is a losing prospect, since the value of those items is tied to their exclusivity and difficulty of procurement. The crap that goes for hundreds on e-bay does so because there are a limited number and someone had to pay for convention prices, travel, lodging, etc.
@AlexeyValentine The author of the article is named Alex. His comment doesn't really have anything to do with losing a paladin to lag several years ago.
@Ultra_Taco I read the article in its entirety, but given the context and particular word choices he uses (the entire article is very deliberately 'in your face,') I have a hard time agreeing that that is the very definite literal meaning of the entire article.
Could the entire thing have been written in a different tone and style? Yes, certainly... but the argument probably would have lost a lot of its impact.
@RAD_RADIO I didn't assume anything. I took the time to read your post and responded according to what you wrote.
I don't personally plan on running hardcore for the same reason you gave in your comment: too much is beyond my control. I don't want to lose my investment over a wonky internet connection or unscheduled server maintenance, so I obviously get where you're coming from.
The point of the article was to illustrate that players who invest something into hardcore mode get something back that a lot of other players don't. The additional excitement and attachment is the biggest draw in the game to some of these players. If you don't count yourself amongst them, that's fine, but I still think it's a pretty valid point.
@NRDubZ I agree, but frankly I'm more disappointed by the sheer number of readers that can't see through the hyperbole as a writing technique and end up missing the point entirely.
@RAD_RADIO So many people getting trolled by the the article's tagline and missing the message entirely.
"You're doing it wrong" is hyperbole used as hook, it's using it to emphasize the actual point: that playing hardcore mode offers a much more pronounced feeling of risk vs. reward for the player. That "one single variable" is massive; it completely changes the scope and feeling of the game for some players. If it doesn't for you, that's fine, but it's just as narrow-minded to fervently dismiss the article as a "close-minded ideological rant" while missing the point entirely.
@GarGx1 This is one of the first posts I've seen that really "gets it."
Blizzard didn't get where they are by having a complete lack of understanding for their market and product line. They already know there's untapped potential with a console port.
The two major considerations are whether it's financially worth the time and resources invested into porting it and whether or not it has a potential impact on the quality of the game. The PS3 and 360 can probably handle running the game if ported, but if they have to make compromises to features or content due to size or license restrictions (Microsoft) they're not going to do it.
I love the message of the article and feel it makes a pretty good point about how much more of a lasting impression a hardcore character that you take "all the way" has on your experience with the game.
The only reason I'll be avoiding it myself is I have a really unreliable connection and don't feel like losing what I've invested over something completely beyond my control.
This is an article about how to approach and ultimately embrace a feature that most gamers will probably ignore in what is surely one of this year's most highly anticipated games. Insinuating that it only exists because the editor is getting paid under the table is disingenuous at best, and asinine at worst.
Tyril132's comments