東西 | dongxi

The Future of Used Games

ddawg — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:06:17 +0000

This week rumors swirled around the “Xbox 720“. One of the biggest surprises was the speculation that the new system would deny users the ability to run used games. The market for used games, which has become a large thorn on the sides of game publishers all over, will eventually fade away. The bigger question is when.

The used game market is as old as the video game industry itself. With games costing a hefty dollar, no matter the decade, gamers have relied on the second hand game market to widen their reach of gameplay. The real game changer, however, was the eventually dominance of GameStop. Though the primary retail destination for console games, GameStop sees even greater profit margins from used games. Not all that different from other second hand markets, GameStop buys low and sells high from gamers as they finish (or return) games. Over the years, GameStop has continued to incentivize consumers to trade in their games, with extra bonuses, deals, and loyalty programs. While others have tried, GameStop remains relatively unchallenged in the market.

The biggest problem with this market is that it ultimately hurts the game publishers and, in turn, game developers. A game’s success is ultimately determined by its sales. With used games, any additional sales and profits go to the third party (most likely GameStop) and not the publisher. Complicating things further is GameStop’s position as the dominant retailer for gaming companies; it prevents these companies from taking drastic action against GameStop. As Sony was pursuing digital downloads only options for the PlayStation Portable, GameStop made clear threats of dropping retail support for the fledgling system. It’s one reason why digital distribution in video games have not developed to the extent many have expected.

Many publishers have found other ways of addressing the used games. One common tactic is the development of DLC, digital downloaded content. Oftentimes DLC will provide extra maps, levels, or characters in hopes of extending the life of the game with the consumer, thus holding it off from being sold. It’s a new direction Epic Games now swears by. Another tactic is the development of online passes. Each game is shipped with a unique code for multiplayer function and support. With the code attached to that one account, the next owner of the game will find themselves unable to go online unless they pay to secure a new code. Also, with the growth of XBLA, PSN, and WiiWare, the market continues to grow in the digital space, forcing retailers like GameStop to rethink their long term strategy.

The PC gaming market has already long since moved past this issue. For years, publishers have implemented unique codes and DRM to restrict users from buying games second hand. Furthermore, digital services such as Steam have weened consumers away from physical copies and pushed users to accept the digital copies as the default.

So while console gamers may revolt at this prospect of used game lockouts, this shift is only leading to the inevitable. Ultimately, this shouldn’t be seen so much as a loss for consumers. The used game market have ravaged the profit margins of smaller publishers and developers; reshifting the money flow away from retailers and back to the game makers will help to continue the library and variety of games so many of us have come to enjoy.

Best of CES 2012

ddawg — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:27:21 +0000

CES once again kicked off the year showcasing some of the hottest tech and gadgets, from TVs and tablets to cameras and printers. Oftentimes groundbreaking tech will make its way down the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, but this year’s CES seemed to focus more on product evolution, as opposed to revolution. Most of the devices and technology shown this year seemed to be updated or improved iterations of what was shown last year. Of course, that didn’t stop things from wowing and impression attendees. So what are some of the highlights from this year? Here’s some of the best from this year’s CES.

Televisions

It was all about slim. In fact, LG boasted that their new OLED TVs were slimmer than smartphones! This year marked a variety of televisions, from 3DTVs to OLED displays to smart TVs with embedded apps and programs.

LG's Booth Entrance

LG 3D OLED TV

LG Ultraslim TVs

Panasonic Booth

Smartphones

While Android phones of all shapes and sizes spanned across halls, the Nokia Numia 900 stole the show, running Windows Phone 7.

Nokia Lumia 900

Tablets & Laptops

There seems to be a convergence between tablets and laptops. As tablets become more powerful with the ability to offer more productivity, laptops continue to shed pounds creating the new “ultrabook” category to win back consumers from their slimmer cousins. Windows 8 showcased a promising UI that would span across tablet, laptop and hybrid devices.

HP Envy

All about ultrabooks

ASUS Transformer Prime

Windows 8

Waterproofing

Next-Gen Controls

With products like Kinect and Siri out in the market, many companies looked to build upon gesture and voice-based controls.

Kinect-like Controls

Magnetic Field-based Motion Controls

Motion Control Gaming

3D Modeling

Brain Wave TV

Home Appliances

CES 2012 continued the promise the idea of connected and smart devices including refrigerators that would know when food is about to expire, washing machines that will tweet when clothing is dry, and smarter Roomba-like vacuums.

Smart Fridge

Food Expiry

Smart Washer Dryers

Instantly chill beverages within minutes

Double doors to conserve energy use

Automotive

CES is also a big destination for those in the automotive industry. HUD displays were the hot item, overlaying useful information such as GPS, points of interest and personal messages could be highlighted while behind the wheel.

Ford

Ford Sync

Ford Interior

KIA

Mercedes Benz

Mercedes Smart Dashboard

Points of Interest

H.U.D. Overlay

Other Highlights

Other highlights at CES included Maker Bot’s Replicator, which allows users to replicate items in its entirety.

Replicating a chess piece

Finished Replica

One way to showcase cameras...

PlayStation Vita Unboxing

ddawg — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:49:23 +0000

Despite mixed news of PS Vita sales in Japan, Taiwanese sales have left the system sold out in most shops. Currently retailers are only looking to restock on the bundle pack. In contrast to the US version, the Taiwan bundle includes the WiFi model, a case, a screen protector, a 4GB memory card and a card holder as well as a copy of Uncharted.

Importing the Vita is a possibility as the system is not region locked. Normally Asian PS systems reverse the O and X buttons, but so far all controls have been touch based. The system only allows one account at a time.

The PS Vita will be available in the US February 15th with the 3G pre-order bundle. All else is available the week after.

PS Vita Bag

Value Pack Box

Inside Bundle Box

Accessory Pack

Vita Box

AC Adapter

Power On Screen

Home Screen

Near Selection Screen

Locating Nearby Gamers

Like the PS3, language Settings are available. The Vita is not region locked.

The US PSN Store is currently unavailable.

Select already open programs

Uncharted for PS Vita

Path: Is It TMI?

ddawg — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:18:44 +0000

Though released last year, the social network Path made another big splash with their latest update. So what makes Path different than other social networks? While services like Facebook try to push you to “friend” as many people as possible, Path limits the total number of connections, acknowledging that in reality, most people’s true friend count is much smaller than what we often see on Facebook. In a way, it’s supposed to be about quality, not quantity.

Path remains mobile-focused and feels like an amalgamation of several other social networks (Instagram, Foursquare, Twitter, Facebook). Functions include geo-tagging, photo/filter uploading, music and location check-ins and your standard status updates.

While it all sounds like a great deal, I personally finding a few challenges with this service.

TMI – It feels a bit strange to say about social network, but I found myself asking if Path had crossed the line in having a bit too much information. Even if you choose not to share yourself, you often find your friends posting their current location (not always by choice, but that’s another point) and the times they wake and sleep. It also keeps track of who’s viewed which post. For me, it all reaches the verge of stalker creepiness.
Settings Issues: By default, Path will occasionally share your current location, automatically. It’s opt-out, meaning you have to turn this function off. It took me forever to figure out. It turns out that the Android app does NOT come with any ability to change the settings. Yes, you heard me. If you download and setup Path for an Android device, you’ll be bombarded with all notifications as well as periodic automated posts disclosing your location. I was able access the settings on the iOS version and supposedly there are ways to change it on the site as well. The main online site, however, isn’t the easiest to navigate. It’s a bit ridiculous that the difficulty to just change one’s settings rivals that of Facebook.
Function: Though Path replicates the functionality of several apps and services, it doesn’t replace any of them. It just adds another service to use. Since pictures and geo-tags aren’t embedded in the tweet itself (one would have to link out to see all that), I still prefer Twitter for public posts. I use Foursquare for reviews and tips on top of my check-ins. At most, this might replace Instagram… when the photo filter option becomes available for Android.

While Path isn’t necessarily a bad service, there’s definitely still a lot of work needed before I can fully recommend it to others. I won’t abandon it either, though. I’ll still give it a shot for the next couple of weeks. It’s definitely nice to have a niche group that I can share with, without having to worry about my distant aunts “liking” every random post I put. Maybe it will be the right path.

Gigawhat Ep. 48: Getting On Path

ddawg — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:27:28 +0000

On this week’s episode, Tony and I talk about the privacy concerns with smartphones. We also look into this week’s slightly controversial “App of the Week” – is Path worth the download? Check out this week’s show!

Don’t forget to subscribe to us on iTunes with the link below and follow us on Twitter (Derrick at @derrickc82, Tony at @hotmilkgt). Leave a comment and check out the links to the show on the blog post

Download the Show

Subscribe in iTunes

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App of the Week

Path (Android): https://market.android.com/details?id=com.path&hl=en

Path (iOS): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/path/id403639508?mt=8

Gigawhat Ep. 47: Black Friday, Cyber Monday Round Up

ddawg — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:29:09 +0000

Cyber Monday Deals

With Thanksgiving and Black Friday behind us, Tony Wang and I look into the deals of this holiday season. There’s still a lot coming up, including Cyber Monday. So what should one look out for? Check out the links below and this week’s Gigawhat!

Download the Show

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Show Links

BFAds: http://bfads.net/

Slickdeals: http://slickdeals.net/

CheapAssGamer: http://www.cheapassgamer.com/

CNET: Why All HDMI Cables Are the Same (Part 2): http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57321956-221/why-all-hdmi-cables-are-the-same-part-2/

Becky Worley’s Post on Cyber Monday: https://plus.google.com/104179323350489956912/posts/SHhV5wiYXe8

App of the Week

CNET Scan & Shop (Android): https://market.android.com/details?id=com.biggu.shopsmart&hl=en

Google Shopper (iOS/Android): http://www.google.com/mobile/shopper/

Gigawhat Ep. 46: Holiday Gift Ideas

ddawg — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:07:24 +0000

With the holiday shopping season creeping up, we take a look at the various tablets to see which one is worth getting. Should Mom get the iPad or the Kindle Fire. Check this week’s episode out and let us know what you think!

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Show Links

Tablet Comparison: http://www.theverge.com/products/compare/2506/3767/383/126/2630

App of the Week

Gadget Guide by the Daily (iPad): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gadget-guide/id458967853?mt=8

ATM & Credit Card Fraud Across New York

ddawg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

A slew of credit card and ATM fraud stories recently hit the Big Apple. Stories include skimmers across a popular Chase branch in Union Square (stealing $264,000) as well as shifty waiters across several of New York’s top steakhouses. Experts already caution using outdoor ATMs (or the ones found in delis), but it’s a bit daunting to hear even trusted establishments fall prey to skimmers and scams.

At the end of the day, it’s always good to check your bank and credit card statements for any fraudulent charges.

Stories

Google Redesigns YouTube With A Lot More Grey

ddawg — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:19:10 +0000

In the last couple of weeks, Google has been actively revamping its portfolio of sites with redesigns. Google Reader and Gmail now carry the black barred, extremely white-spaced style found in Google+. As of this morning, YouTube is sporting a new look as well. It hasn’t quite adopted the same look found across other Google sites, but the company has always been reluctant to overtly fold YouTube into the Google mold. Still there’s quite a few changes across the site.

Old YouTube Homepage

New YouTube Homepage

The changes focus on a lot more greyscale. The homepage now has a slight grey gradient on the homepage (when logged in). The login, found on the top right corner of the page, now includes a larger icon linked to one’s Google account. Pages, such as Subscriptions, carry a thick grey bar on top.

The actual video pages now use a dark canvas that wraps around the video, with larger buttons and icons on bottom. The spacing of the video also makes the 300×60 ad unit much more pronounced. Suggested videos (as well as the promoted video ad) thumbnails are also much larger. Channel pages have been readjusted as well, although upon initial examination, some channels are not fully optimized yet to this new format.

New YouTube Video Page

YouTube Channel Page

It looks like Google is heavily stepping up their game to focus on aesthetics across all their sites. So what do you think? Does YouTube look a bit classier?

Grand Theft Auto V Trailer

ddawg — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:33:30 +0000

Well, it’s official, GTA V is going back to the West Coast to the sunny beaches of Los Angeles. Or at least, some sort of version of LA. As Liberty City was for New York, GTA V will feature some sort of amalgamation of the Los Angeles metro area.

Some initial thoughts and observations from the trailer, by timecode:

0:07: Typical LA beach

LA Beaches

0:11: Santa Monica Pier (though a bit dirtier than real-life)
0:13: Downtown skyline
0:18: Clear view of the US Bank building in downtown LA
0:19: Port of Los Angeles
0:21: Yosemite/Big Bear/mountain hiking in LA

Hiking Outside of LA

0:24: Venice (corner of Windward and Pacific Ave)

Venice

0:32: 5-Freeway with references to “Little Seoul” (Ktown)

5 Freeway

0:34: Muscle Beach in Venice
0:39: Downtown LA, right by the US Bank building. Reminds me of the construction back when they were building the Ritz Carlton. “Mile High Club” building by the “STD” company
0:43: Clear shot of the farms outside of LA
0:48: Perhaps Rodeo Drive, maybe the Grove?
0:53: 110 underpass near downtown; graffiti looks like it says “Los Santos”

Los Santos?

0:55: Foreclosures – bad housing market (present day)
0:59: Another shot of the 110 near downtown with a Niko look a-like

Is that Niko?

1:01: Will planes be an option this time?
1:03: Oil derricks commonly found throughout LA

LA Sunet

1:10: Hollywood or “Vinewood”

No word on release date yet.