No, you can still play used games.

I mean, it's a good business decision. Would never get myself locked into a two-year contract with a console manufacturer, though. Yikes. Don't cell phone companies rake us over the coals enough with those contracts?

As far as Netflix or a mobile phone goes, there isn't a one-time payment option so it's not exactly the best analogy for this conversation.

But you're right that it's the customers' fault by not cancelling an expensive service.  But that doesn't mean that the service itself isn't way overpriced.  And trying to act otherwise is like defending the prices of Xbox Live downloads when Steam has the same stuff for 25% of the price.  Some companies live to rip off their customers, and others (albeit very few) are actually growing while taking the initiative to save their customers lots of money.

The current 3 console manufacturers have become worried only for their investors and company image.  None are living within the gray area between no profit and 'biggest possible profit'.  As the culture of video game companies seems to be moving toward 'profit before customer', there needs to be a shake-up.  It's been a long time since a new company has stepped in to challenge the big franchises.  I believe we need this more than we need unnecessary subcriptions that do nothing but dupe the average consumer.

Perhaps I nearly alone in blaming the companies that set up overpriced plans more than the consumers that forget to cancel them.  It's like saying that it's 100% a person's fault for becoming unhealthy for eating fast food at a particular stop.  Sure that person could have eaten some place else, but if that fast food place had been serving better food, the world would be a healthier place.  If only sh*t is being served no matter where you go, who's fault is it really?

It's still just an Xbox 360. lol.  Why would you think it affects playing used games?

lol I could've sworn I read an IGN article claming that MS will release an xbox slim bundle but without the drive. So I thought of both of these articles. Or maybe I have to stop smoking crack haha

it's the customers fault. if you get only shit it was the customer who let those companies grow so big. if noone would have eaten mc donalds burges, mc donalds wouldn't be on the market anymore. if people would go to better restaurants, we would have more of them.

i eblieve we see a change atm at least here in germany, no clue about usa or so. more and more diners here who only sell salad or something like that and less who sell only fries and burgers (at least in the shopping malls)

I guess we'll have to wait to see the extra services, if any. However, the perceived value still depends on if you wanted that service in the first place, otherwise it doesn't matter and its worthless.

Of course people are impatiant and pay extra... I call those people ignorant. I don't do that. I can always wait the extra few days a higher shipping price "saves" me. I refuse to pay extra, always. If not, I'd own the Amazon Prime service as it has a ton of added value including free quick shipping. However, I don't buy it as I don't really need those extras.

You're right on Ebay and that's why I almost always use auctions and put in the time to save the money. Also why I can count on one had how many new games I've purchased this gen. The ones I have purchased were not due to wanting it early, but due to the game being one of my top IPs and I wanted to more directly support it and value the game really high. Everything else is Ebay for less than $30 and then resold when I'm done.

I'm only debating that as it stands, its not a good deal. If it is fully detailed later to have Netflix, some awesome unlimited Music service, Hulu or similar, etc.... then yeah its a good deal to those who want those services. On top of that ... I like to get the last word in. :)

So you just called everyone in first world countries ignorant (including probably yourself)...nice. That must be one high horse that you ride.

ummm... the 'first world' is broke and has a ton of economic issues... yeah I'd say those practices were and are ignorant. I also say that in no way is even close to 'everyone'.

I don't understand why you, and others, have been so defensive about the use of the word ignorant. I have credit cards with balances as well. I know some of those purchases weren't really necessary and were ignorant of me to make, but I did it because I have the disposable income to cover my debts and I try to use my cards to build my credit. I have four data filled cell lines on contracts.... do I and my family need data when we're away from the home, no, and can that be construed as an ignorant purchase? Sure, but again I have the disposable income so it doesn't affect my overall financial well being and I enjoy the features. So signing a contract to get free or discounted phones, that I'm going to have anyways, isn't an issue. Hell, when I was 18 I made a REALLY ignorant car purchase with horrible price and rates. Why? Because I didn't know anything about that system and car purchasing as my parents failed to teach me about it. It was an ignorant purchase in everyway. Now, I would never make the same mistake.

Either way, that does not deter me from the idea that as it stands now, this bundle is not a good deal and its much wiser to just save a few months to buy it out right. We're not talking about a $20,000 car or a $200,000 home here, we're talking about a $300 console that is going to be reduced by up to another $100 in a few months.

To me.... wasting money due to impatience is an ignorant purchase decision. Does this mean any particular person as a whole is ignorant... no, of course not. Stop being so defensive. It just means that they might want to reconsider some of their shopping habits or learn from the mistakes of others/past. I know I have.

What else would you call the purchase decisions by people in 2007 through 2008 that were buying Wii's for over $300 and $400 on Ebay?

I just don't like your use of ignorant. I don't think it's automatically ignorant to pay more to get something sooner especially if you know what you're getting yourself into. I mean sure everyone makes the occasional ignorant purchase like your car example up above (I know I did when I bought my first car) but to call everyone who would rather get something sooner and pay more ignorant is an extreme stretch and just absurd really (especially rich people that have that type of money to throw around)

But whatever I guess.