I agree 100%.
Hi,
I wonder what the opinions of users are about the Marketplace and the potential for a good thing being abused by companies.
It is of course a great tool since it would be possible for game makers to increase the tilt of a game by releasing additional content after a game is out for a few months or weeks. So people put the game back into the console to play the new chapters and content and all are happy.
The problem is of course that some companies that put profit on top of all, have a huge potential to abuse this technology. The worst is of course Electronics Arts EA that started to sell games with half the content than on other consoles to sell the full content later on the Market place. I do not mean the unlockables for the lazy or casual player that likes to have the levels unlocked but actual content that was withheld from Xbox 360 users to suck out more money from their wallets. See for example Tiger Woods 07 where they released some 10 courses that the game on other consoles did have standard. This means you pay $59 and then need to spend another $15 or more to have the full game. Same of course with Need for Speed Carbon where you have to buy the additional tracks that come standard for other consoles or NBA Hoops where you have to buy the teams extra. I am shocked that all people playing the EA games on the X360 take this without a boycott or a mass outcry so that that this does not keep on going. Now the latest that they plan is consumables in the marketplace that actually get used up. Imagine have to buy racing tires that are worn after 10 races or swords that get blunt after a few fights. I think this is abusing the technology and I decided on my part to boycott EA games until they stop abusing us the gamers that made the company what it is. If no one does do anything they will continue this and you will get empty games in the future where you have to buy everything to make up the game and before you look you have to spend thousands of MS$ on top of the already expensive price of the game.
I think it is a disgrace to have this company buying out all innovative software firms to establish an almost monopolist structure in which they can force gamers to pay for content that is standard for all other consoles. On top of this is that the online experience is weak, so you pay all this money and they can not even install servers to facilitate the online play as advertised. I guess this is their way to make bullions by releasing substandard games with huge advertisement campaigns to brainwash the users into buying their chunk. Sadly only a few reviewers even mention this at all since they get their money from huge companies like this and if they try to be neutral and do not say what companies like EA want they will lose huge $$$. What is the world coming to?
Anyone have thoughts about this topic? I would like to know if I am the only one that is pretty angry about this.
Thom

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