For years now, gamers have been able to play games online with one another for a small price or free. Microsoft's Xbox 360 system uses Xbox Live which is $60 a year or for Playstation owners, they get to play online for free. However, a new trend with major game companies such as Electronic Arts and Activision are now beginning to usher in a new era of paying to play each game individually in what seems to be an effort to battle renting and used games.
To start, a little history to better understand pay to play. The first games to do this were massively multiplayer online role playing games(MMORPG). These are games that let people assume a character of their own creation and essentially lead a new live through the game. The price per month for these games were around $10 - $15 a month. This price was understandable as well since multiple servers has to be running continuously and most of games have massive content in them. So having to pay to keep those up and to help update the game makes sense.
Now EA is doing something similar by packaging games with a special code that allows people who play those games free access to online content. Whether the game is a single or multiple player game, it comes with the code. This doesn't hurt people who buy the game, but it does hurt people who rent it or buy it used. Gamers who decide to buy their game used or rent it have to pay an extra $15 to access that new content. They also have to pay for the content it's self which adds up.
Why is EA doing this one might ask? Well the speculation is that EA feels it is losing money when people rent or buy games used. There is no proof that this is true, however EA believes it is. The reason for this is because with less people buying the game new equals less money. Again, there is no solid statistics to back up this claim.
The problem is that people who rent or buy used are penalized. Why should gamers who opt for a cheaper choice still have to pay? Many gamers don't want to buy a game because they know they won't keep it for long. I know when I buy a single player gamer, i usually buy it used or rent it because theres no replay value in many single player games. Play the story and then I'm done with it.
The simple fix for this is easy, get rid of it. EA is only hurting there consumers by telling them to buy new by hurting those that don't. If EA is hurting, though i feel it is VERY small, then they should bite the bullet. Doing this in the long run should help them gain new customers than alienate current customers.
This code for buying a new game also affects multiplayer games. The fix for this is easier and game companies should follow what Mortal Kombat 9 is doing. If one buys the game used or rents it, there is an option for a two day free trial. Giving 48 hours of a trial is more than enough time to see if the online component is worth the price.
I'm not against paying to play a game. If it helps the overall experience and keeps the game fresh, then more to it. Game companies should be willing to help their customers rather then make it harder. According to an article in Electronic Gaming Monthly, EA inferred that another reason to this change was because they feel game stores like GameStop are reaping massive amounts of money from the used game business. To battle with another company over profits is fine, but not when this many gamers are the casualties.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The problem with DLC
Down loadable content has become a mainstay in video games lately. With single player games adding new levels or accessories and multiplayer games adding new maps to play on and new modes to play with friends. However, DLC seems to be heading in a different direction. Instead of bringing new premium content to make a game better, it seems to bring over priced mediocre content.
To start, I'll give a little history into DLC. Since the start of video games back in the late 80s and all throughout the 90s, gamers always wanted more content from a game. Whether they beat it and wanted more levels or just wanted any kind of new content instead of having to wait for a sequel.
This idea became plausible after the Sega Dreamcast introduced online play. In a matter of a few years DLC finally came true after adding new maps to an Xbox game Halo 2. Gamers were overjoyed with the fact that they could now play new content on a game that has been out for a while and only pay $10 instead of having to get a whole new game.
DLC has made games more enjoyable and has changed the ways in which games are made. Unfortunately, some of these changes have not been good and in fact have made it unsatisfying in many ways.
The first problem is the mediocrity of the content itself. The first few games that offered DLC made huge additions to the experience. Like with Halo 2, it added quite a few maps and balanced the game play. The last few games to release content have left this ideal behind.
Call of Duty: World at War was released in 2010. It is part of the popular franchise Call of Duty which has many games and a huge following. It had it's first DLC come out a month after the game was released. The content that was added was 3 new multiplayer maps at a price of $15. The problem with this is it's only 3 new maps with a hefty price tag. The game itself cost $60 plus tax and it came with a 6 hour single player campaign, cooperative multiplayer mode and 3 different competitive multiplayer modes with 10 maps. That's quite a bit of content for that price, which begs the question, how is only 3 maps worth the $15?
The second problem with this is now game companies are announcing DLC content that is going to come out a few days after the games release. Gears of War 3 is one of the most anticipated games coming out this month. However, Epic games, the company creating the game, has already announced new maps and content to be released as DLC after the launch of the game. This only makes me wonder why is this content not in the game if it is being released shortly after the game is released.
What this does is make it harder for gamers content wise an in our wallets. Content speaking, it makes the game different from the get go. It's also hard to play when half the people get the download and half don't, making it harder to get matches since not everyone is on the same content. The damage on our wallets isn't good either. The more content that comes out builds up costing more than $100.
DLC has almost become a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's great that we as gamers are now rewarded with more things in a game. On the other hand, what started a big cheap add ons has now evolved into little expensive packs that may not be worth it. We can always say no to these extensions but if one does, then one is left behind. There isn't a quick fix to this problem, but it feels that this trend is not going to end soon.
To start, I'll give a little history into DLC. Since the start of video games back in the late 80s and all throughout the 90s, gamers always wanted more content from a game. Whether they beat it and wanted more levels or just wanted any kind of new content instead of having to wait for a sequel.
This idea became plausible after the Sega Dreamcast introduced online play. In a matter of a few years DLC finally came true after adding new maps to an Xbox game Halo 2. Gamers were overjoyed with the fact that they could now play new content on a game that has been out for a while and only pay $10 instead of having to get a whole new game.
DLC has made games more enjoyable and has changed the ways in which games are made. Unfortunately, some of these changes have not been good and in fact have made it unsatisfying in many ways.
The first problem is the mediocrity of the content itself. The first few games that offered DLC made huge additions to the experience. Like with Halo 2, it added quite a few maps and balanced the game play. The last few games to release content have left this ideal behind.
Call of Duty: World at War was released in 2010. It is part of the popular franchise Call of Duty which has many games and a huge following. It had it's first DLC come out a month after the game was released. The content that was added was 3 new multiplayer maps at a price of $15. The problem with this is it's only 3 new maps with a hefty price tag. The game itself cost $60 plus tax and it came with a 6 hour single player campaign, cooperative multiplayer mode and 3 different competitive multiplayer modes with 10 maps. That's quite a bit of content for that price, which begs the question, how is only 3 maps worth the $15?
The second problem with this is now game companies are announcing DLC content that is going to come out a few days after the games release. Gears of War 3 is one of the most anticipated games coming out this month. However, Epic games, the company creating the game, has already announced new maps and content to be released as DLC after the launch of the game. This only makes me wonder why is this content not in the game if it is being released shortly after the game is released.
What this does is make it harder for gamers content wise an in our wallets. Content speaking, it makes the game different from the get go. It's also hard to play when half the people get the download and half don't, making it harder to get matches since not everyone is on the same content. The damage on our wallets isn't good either. The more content that comes out builds up costing more than $100.
DLC has almost become a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's great that we as gamers are now rewarded with more things in a game. On the other hand, what started a big cheap add ons has now evolved into little expensive packs that may not be worth it. We can always say no to these extensions but if one does, then one is left behind. There isn't a quick fix to this problem, but it feels that this trend is not going to end soon.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Bonds formed from school
Thinking about my last 3 years in college and realizing that this is my final year, I've been thinking what has been the best part of it. I've gained immense knowledge and found my passion for a job i want too pursue. However, the best part has truly been the bonds i have formed with not only friends that will help me later in life but also the professors.
Starting in the Fall of 2009, i had no idea what to expect. A few of my friends from High School were also going to school here but i had no classes with them. However, that first day i met some very nice people. I didn't become friends with them, but the fact that everyone was so nice and didn't keep to themselves made me love it here.
After a few weeks i made some very interesting friends in a few of my classes. I was able to learn more because we would work together and further our knowledge. The most important bond i made though was with my now girl friend. It helps that she is a communications major which goes hand in hand with my journalism major. This was my first bond with someone that truly helped me in my major. She was already in the major for a few semesters so having someone who knew the building and the teachers helped greatly.
After a few more semesters i started taking core journalism classes. This is where i formed the most bonds. Pretty much every class since than i have had at least 2 or 3 people i know in all my classes. These friends i have made not only make the classes more fun but they make it easier. I like going to class because i get to enjoy my time there being with people i like. I also know I can rely on these friends after school. It's connections like this that make college the best.
The same goes for the professors. My Digital Media professor, Dr. Bonilla has helped me tremendously. I'm not the most computer savvy person around, but after taking a course with him, I feel like a journeyman rather than an amateur. I have had three journalism professors and i wouldn't change them for anything. My adviser is also someone i know i can depend on in and outside of school. I have made big strides in my writing and reporting thanks to her.
College is great for many things, whether it be a degree or to get a good job after. However, making these kinds of friendships and bonds make the experience a great one. What also makes it great is that making these bonds is somewhat hidden. When we hear about college in high school, we are told that it's too learn about a subject and use that to get a job. That we are also to be on our own for 4 or 5 years learning to become adults. The true value of all this is that we learn too make friends and bonds to help us achieve adulthood.
These bonds will help and be there for anyone forever. Jokes of best friends forever can be thrown around, but it is the truth. Knowing that when i jump in the foray of the journalism job market that i will have people to rely on to help me found a job or just help me period is amazing. This is what makes college great and it truly is the best part of being a college student.
Starting in the Fall of 2009, i had no idea what to expect. A few of my friends from High School were also going to school here but i had no classes with them. However, that first day i met some very nice people. I didn't become friends with them, but the fact that everyone was so nice and didn't keep to themselves made me love it here.
After a few weeks i made some very interesting friends in a few of my classes. I was able to learn more because we would work together and further our knowledge. The most important bond i made though was with my now girl friend. It helps that she is a communications major which goes hand in hand with my journalism major. This was my first bond with someone that truly helped me in my major. She was already in the major for a few semesters so having someone who knew the building and the teachers helped greatly. After a few more semesters i started taking core journalism classes. This is where i formed the most bonds. Pretty much every class since than i have had at least 2 or 3 people i know in all my classes. These friends i have made not only make the classes more fun but they make it easier. I like going to class because i get to enjoy my time there being with people i like. I also know I can rely on these friends after school. It's connections like this that make college the best.
The same goes for the professors. My Digital Media professor, Dr. Bonilla has helped me tremendously. I'm not the most computer savvy person around, but after taking a course with him, I feel like a journeyman rather than an amateur. I have had three journalism professors and i wouldn't change them for anything. My adviser is also someone i know i can depend on in and outside of school. I have made big strides in my writing and reporting thanks to her.
College is great for many things, whether it be a degree or to get a good job after. However, making these kinds of friendships and bonds make the experience a great one. What also makes it great is that making these bonds is somewhat hidden. When we hear about college in high school, we are told that it's too learn about a subject and use that to get a job. That we are also to be on our own for 4 or 5 years learning to become adults. The true value of all this is that we learn too make friends and bonds to help us achieve adulthood.
These bonds will help and be there for anyone forever. Jokes of best friends forever can be thrown around, but it is the truth. Knowing that when i jump in the foray of the journalism job market that i will have people to rely on to help me found a job or just help me period is amazing. This is what makes college great and it truly is the best part of being a college student.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
First week back to school
I traveled a different path to the start of school this year by deciding to live with my girlfriend Brittany. I should also mention that she doesn't have a license and that public transportation after 5 pm is unacceptable. Her reasoning for this is because she feels she will get attacked since It's darker outside.
What made it a little more difficult was that we also were going to be working as temps at the Hornet Bookstore. I also have a job at Kohls so having to ferry her to school work and then also myself to both jobs and school made it hectic. Having to wake up 2 hours before i usually do to take her to school wasn't fun and it was something I'm not use to for the school year. I usually take classes that start around 10 or 11 to give me ample time to get ready and be awake for school. This year however, Brittany had work twice at 9 am so having to wake up around 7:30 was not fun. Granted i do have a class at 9 am but that is only one day out of the week.
What made it a little more difficult was that we also were going to be working as temps at the Hornet Bookstore. I also have a job at Kohls so having to ferry her to school work and then also myself to both jobs and school made it hectic. Having to wake up 2 hours before i usually do to take her to school wasn't fun and it was something I'm not use to for the school year. I usually take classes that start around 10 or 11 to give me ample time to get ready and be awake for school. This year however, Brittany had work twice at 9 am so having to wake up around 7:30 was not fun. Granted i do have a class at 9 am but that is only one day out of the week.
Now don't get me wrong, i love my girlfriend deeply, It's why i moved in with her. I'm not mad or bothered that i have to do this, it has just created extra strain on me when there already is enough pressure on me the first week.
This pressure for the first week also feels double since i now feel it from Brittany. When i lived with room mates the past two years, even though i would listen to them talk about their first week It never really affected me. Now living with someone who i share many things with, i also share that aspect of the first week pressure. I'm usually a very chill and relaxed person. I rarely get agitated or nervous. However, Brittany can be the opposite at times. It is not bad, in fact i respect the fact that she gets stressed and handles it well. So having to deal with her stress was new but i feel i handled it well.
The hardest day of the week was easily the first day. I had to take Brittany to work at nine, then had class at 12. I then had work at three at the bookstore. This was the first day of rush so there were many students buying books. I then had work at Kohls 7 to 10:30 but since It was a closing shift, i ended up getting off at around 11. It was a very long and tiring day but i stayed positive and made it through.
The hardest day of the week was easily the first day. I had to take Brittany to work at nine, then had class at 12. I then had work at three at the bookstore. This was the first day of rush so there were many students buying books. I then had work at Kohls 7 to 10:30 but since It was a closing shift, i ended up getting off at around 11. It was a very long and tiring day but i stayed positive and made it through.
I love all my classes and i know all my teachers and thankfully they all like me back. It definitely took away any nervousness i might have had. It also helped me deal with work which actually made work fun. The best part of all this is that in one more week, our temp jobs end and i will finally get some well deserved sleep.
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