I understand the underlying logic of the timed exclusives, but I am beginning to wonder if this phenomenon might start to backfire now that gamers have gotten wise to it. Not only do we now expect many exclusives to be "timed" whether we have evidence or not (MGS4), but we also expect the later editions (RE4, GoW) to come with even more material. In that case, what's the point of running out to buy the game in it's first release? 

You buy it to play it first, also in the case of not knowing about other versions later you buy it cause you don't know hehe

Because 360 and PS3 are fighting over 3rd party games now, there's gonna be a lot of timed exclusives...

I guess my problem is how it treats "fans" of a series. For example, let's say someone is a rabid MGS fan. Following this E3 they are convinced that MGS really is a PS3 exclusive, and so commit to spending $500 on a PS3. Then at E3 2008, Konami announced Metal Gear Solid 4: Log Cabin Edition for the 360, featuring exclusive story content. Had he known this from the start, he would never have purchased a PS3. Now, the only way to get the "best" edition of his favorite series is not only to buy the game twice, but to buy a second console (which he may not be able to afford).

I understand and appreciate market capitalism, and that there is a limit to how much a company can center policy around its fan base. But it still stinks.

I hate timed exclusives.

Its one thing when its an unannounced timed exclusives. Like how MGS4 could "possible" be a timed exclusives. Its more in the sense that its only timed because it was decided much later on that it would be ported over.

But in the way of UT3 where its only a timed exclusives because Sony paid them off to make it that, and we know that it will be hitting the Xbox360 in a few months after the PC and PS3 version. I Absolutely hate it.

I think what also pisses me off is that sure one system may get the game early, but the other system will get a bunch of new content to make up for the fact it wasn't released at the same time.

I wish they would just get rid of timed exclusives all together. I've gotten to the point this generation that I don't trust any game to be truly exclusives unless its made by Sony or MS themselves.