It's just silicon and plastic...

[CrashMan]

I would say that game consoles, like most things, are more than the sum of their physical parts. Is water "just hydrogen and oxygen atoms," no its the most essential substance in the universe.

Now of course I am not saying game consoles are as essential as water, just drawing a parallel.

And all game companies don't care only about your money. There are many who care about the artistic integrity of the games they make. Is the sisteen chappel just paint on a ceiling? Is the Jupiter Symphony just air vibrations? Any one who understands the artistic veracity of games would understand that they are more than just silicon and plastic.

However, your point is not lost that people hold franchises and manufacturers to an oddly "creepy stalker guy across the street" level, and there is subsequant insanity that stems from that...