Real currency would make it simpler for the user, not the poor schmucks who would have to localize the interface and the store to convert every currency under the sun. Unless you're going to make everyone use U.S. Dollars. No way.
You know if they put Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler (let players upload game videos!) iTunes, Rhapsody, etc. on the 3DS and Vita they would be a lot more attractive and relevant. Then you could get a cheap phone for calls and texts and use the handheld for everything else.
We need to move away from the idea that everyone on the Internet, not just gamers, gets to be anonymous and say and do whatever they want with no repercussions. Facebook users are identifiable so Facebook is way more civil than the average anonymous forum. Maybe if you considered you might be looking for a job one day and your potential employers might not like you being a "f***ing moron" (well put, Aaryn)
The system is basically pushing out 2 screens worth of video to get the glasses free 3D effect. If they forgot about 3D they could have generated better visuals at twice the current resolution. IMO, that's what they should have done, but I'm not a big fan of 3D. I think the whole home electronics industry overestimated how much consumers would want 3D.
I don't think this bill should be passed because what it aims to stop, stealing of copyrighted material, is ALREADY ILLEGAL. All we need to do is enforce the current laws. But that kind of grandstanding is nothing new where politicians are involved. That said, in the interest of appyling some critical thinking, isn't there an element of misleading hysteria in the fears of what the law would potentially do? This is aimed primarily at sites that make copyrighted material available for free download - i.e. blatant pirating sites. Game companies don't complain about video replays, walkthroughs, machinima and other uses of their IP because it's FREE PUBLICITY, which improves their sales. They're not going to complain about these things just because this act is law. No complaint by them = no site shutdown. Also, along the lines of my original comment here, copyright owners can complain to YouTube etc. and have the offending material removed under current law. We don't need anything new.
Great Article. I see one of the causes for this is that developers sink so much money into the window dressing parts of games, art, 3d models and motion capture, voice acting, etc. etc. and it's only going to get worse as consoles get more powerful. You know what, decision makers? You can have great games without any of those things at "AAA quality". Look at Minecraft, 8 bit throwback games like Mega Man and Castlevania, Bastion, Torchlight. Gameplay is King (within reason of course).
@starduke How many people make movies or TV their hobby? You don't have to spend half your waking life playing video games to be a gamer. (In fact that would be unhealthy.) Someone who buys 3 or 4 "hardcore" video games a year and spends a few hours a wwek playing is a gamer. Someone who bought Angry Birds and plays while they take the train to and from work is a gamer. The exclusive club mentality the author is bemoaning need to go away so games can become another form of entertainment without a stigma attached. More players = more money coming in = more games.
I game on a laptop. I can take it anywhere, even without a plug for a couple hours. I have a self contained gaming machine with audio and video. Try taking your console somewhere - you need to haul your TV too, and a pack of cables. My 17" screen is as immersive as a 50" TV because I'm sitting 2 feet in front of it. And my relative beast of a laptop still weighs less and is smaller than an XBox or PS3.
As gamers we can -demand- and buy newly released games all year and not just pre-holidays. That way publishers figure out that time of year isn't the only time they can have a successful release and they don't set unworkable deadlines - which result in buggy unfinished games and/or overworked developers.
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