UPDATED 09:21 EDT / AUGUST 30 2011

The Gamer Plight: Console Price Wars, Virtual Goods Loss

As Razor launched its new Razor Blade, looking to be the world’s first true gaming laptop, other game companies are also finding new ways to keep these game addicts glued to the screen.

Nintendo

The Nintendo 3DS which was officially launched in the market earlier this year at $250, will be re-introduced at a lower price of $169, but you’ll also find it on eBay for $150.  The price reduction was decided upon as the portable game console declined in sales, as no new titles were introduced with the launch of the console.  The reduced price will now be accompanied by the launch of new titles starting this September.  The Aqua Blue SKU topped the Toys R Us online shop followed by the Cosmic Black SKU after the price cut.

And sales of the Nintendo 3DS are expected to get even higher when the Flame Red SKU launches on September 9 with the same price, along with the release of the Star Fox 64 3D game.  The company is also gearing up for the release of their Wii U by 2012.  The Wii U game console is expected to revolutionize home gaming with its unique controller that has its own touch screen and a camera with the traditional gaming buttons.

Though it has its own screen, you’d think that it can be used outside of your home like a portable game console, unfortunately you can’t.  It’s just a pimped out controller.  And the controller is a little too big–some gamers might not actually feel comfortable using it though engineers are still hard at work tweaking it, maybe they’re going to reduce the size of the controller?

And to commemorate The Legend of Zelda’s 25th anniversary, they released a limited edition bundle of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword that comes with a copy of the game, a disc of orchestral songs selected from the ongoing Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert and a gold Wii Remote.  The bundle costs $69.99 while the regular retail of the game is at $49.99.  Both will be available when the game officially hits the market on November 20 in North America.

Sony

Sony Director of Hardware Marketing John Koller believes that the PlayStation Vita can lure gamers back to game consoles from the über popular mobile gaming.  They do not deny the fact that there are great games on smartphones and tablets, but the PS Vita will offer a whole new gaming experience for people on the go.  The Sony PS Vita is priced at $250, the same price the Nintendo 3DS was first launched, so this could create a problem for Sony as gamers or their parents might think that $250 is too much for a portable gaming device.  Its only hope is that its features and games will over shadow the steep price.

The PlayStation 3 is also getting ready for the launch of the much awaited Resistance 3 on September 6.  Amazon is offering the game at $59.99 but they also have a special bundle that comes with the PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter, PlayStation Move Controller, Navigation Controller, PlayStation Eye Camera, and a copy of Resistance 3 at $149.99.  The game features a full campaign mode, and new two-player online and split-screen co-op functionality.  The final game will include new weapon upgrades and new enemies.

Microsoft

Xbox 360 gamers will be delighted to know that they will be the first to enjoy playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as it will be launched for PS3 gamers a month later.  Aside from that, Skyrim fits in one Xbox disc so there’s no need to change discs, though the install sizes for both Xbox and PS3 versions hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Xbox will also celebrate Halo’s 10-year anniversary with the launch of Halo: Anniversary in November.  The game is a revamped version of the original Halo.  The anniversary game allows in-game switching between classic and HD graphics and also features multiplayer capability and the campaign mode can be played online via Xbox Live with remade versions of old maps like the Beaver Creek and Damnation plus a Firefight map like those found in new versions of Halo.  The game will sell for $40 to attract both original and new Halo gamers.

Pissy Gamers

Though most gamers will be rejoicing with a new gaming laptop, consoles and awesome games, others are upset as they got duped by the companies behind their favorite games.

Deus Ex Human Revolution gamers were pissed to find out that the pre-packaged coupon found in the game they bought were worth zilch.  GameStop wasn’t aware that their competitor OnLive had put these coupons inside the product box, and they have now removed the coupons.  GameStop offered $50 gift cards and a Buy 2-Get 1 free on pre-owned items to those affected by this, and have urged them to drop by the store where they made the purchase and bring a copy of the e-mail sent by GameStop with the receipt of their purchase.

Google angered the Super Poke! Pets players when they decided to dissolve Slide including all the games and apps except for Prize.org.  SPP players were really pissed at Google and they were asking to make SPP available in Google+ rather than discontinue the game all together as many have spent lots of cash in playing this online game aside from the fact that these players formed relationships with other gamers through this game.  They were also demanding that Google refund everything that they own in the game, and some have considered filing a class action lawsuit against Google if the company does not do anything about the situation.  Other have also vowed to boycott all Google products and services, including Android smartphones and tablets, and have threatened to badmouth the company so more people will turn their backs on Google.  The SPP players have voiced out their concerns and anger at Google in the comment portion of the TechCrunch article regarding Google’s decision on the future of Slide.

Some may think that this is funny but when you spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a game only to have it suddenly discontinued, you would really get pissed too.  Others may think that it’s stupid for someone to pay for items on an online game but they shouldn’t judge.  What these SPP players did is just the same as any game addicts do, when they spend hundreds or even thousands buying PC hardware and games or when they purchase limited edition game consoles and games.  Google should address the concerns, especially as virtual goods become realer than ever.


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