GOONL!NE: Congratulations, Activision, You've Scared Everyone Off.

[Dodece]

With most things in life there is usually more then one reason to do something. In the case of this holiday season there are a multitude of issues to contend with. We have the soft economy. A large number of massively high profile titles. Decreased profits and incurred losses. Heavy marketing from large players.

Then we have next year which should have a stronger economy. Less competition and marketing. Plus the added benefit that the gains can be compiled to give investors a stronger return rather then a small one in a very tight holiday season.

They are not afraid of one title. They are afraid of the weak economy damaging their ability to make a profit. While they can make more money by holding off for five to six months. The weak economy means less games will be sold, and the space for high selling games will be sopped up by a relative handful. This is especially hurtful if your trying to move a high budget game in this season, and as we all know most of a games sales are derived within just a few weeks of a games launch.

In other words there is only room for a few big budget games this holiday season. A couple of years ago there would have been room for more. A couple years ago there would have been room for five or six games under the tree. This year it will probably be more like three or four, and if your going to be title five or six on the list you might not get the sales you deserve.

It isn't just Modern Warfare. It is Modern Warfare, ODST, Forza, Left 4 Dead, Assassins Creed 2, Uncharted, and a couple others. There just isn't a lot of margin for titles outside top five. Now that said watch the list carefully, because it may actually expand the closer we get to the holiday season. The economy actually seems to have seen some improvement. In the United States last week due to a government program 200,000 new cars were just purchased. So the missing consumer confidence may be getting a rebound.

That means the holidays might start to open up, and some developers might decide to push games forward into the openings made by departures. A game having been delayed does not mean it cannot move back forward, or that titles originally slated for early next year releases to begin with cannot slip forward. Where there is an opportunity there is a way, and more then that someone keen to get in on great action.

Speaking to the game highlighted here. I recommend that you not buy the game. You have a vote in how companies treat you. You cast your ballot by opening or not opening your wallet. Speaking to those that own a 360 you still have Halo, and that game is months worth of fun to play. I say give the developer a dead pan response, and you will see some back peddling on their pricing. They will also probably think twice before pulling that shit again. You know what your dignity is worth more then any game. I say if you feel your getting shafted by a company then you need to have the commitment to stand up for yourself.

I have some companies on a personal shit list. All you need is a little self respect, and you will not find yourself still buying their goods. I couldn't look myself in the mirror afterwards, and I bet you will find that you couldn't either.