Video Game Bulls***

Apparently game developers are starting to believe that used game retailers are bad for the industry.  It's hard not argue with them when you read an argument like this.  I have no problem with people who feel that way, but when you start to penalize gamers for trying to save a buck, thats not fair.  A lot of games today are rewarding gamers for purchasing their titles new and I don't think there's a problem with that.  Mass Effect 2 is one example where you gain access to their Cerberus Network which gives our free DLC.  Other games offer incentives like one-time codes that allow in-game items or missions.  But now the industry is thinking about charging people EXTRA for using fundamental features that were free in previous game iterations!

If I wanted to play a football game, I could pop in my Madden 2010 and play against an opponent in no time.  All I needed was an internet connection and a copy of the game.  In Madden 2011, however, if you purchase your own copy of the game, you're allowed access to its online features.  Sounds pretty much the same as last years copy right?  What if you're on the fence on whether or not to buy the new Madden and you'd rather just try it out online first to see whether you'd like it, so you borrow a buddy's copy, how bout that?  Unfortunately, you won't be allowed to play online.  You need to pay an additional $10 to access its online content for your individual profile.  BULLS***.  EA Sports is apparently installing this new feature to all of its upcoming sports titles.  The first of the current console games that have additional charges (aside from xbox live itself and some MMORPGs) is UFC Undisputed 2010 which charges $5 extra.  I am purchasing the game so I have no worries, but what if my brother wants to play online?  Unfortunately, he'll have to shell out an extra $5 or purchase his own game. 

Stupid.

I understand that gaming companies are trying to give people incentives to drop $60 of their hard earned cash on their product, but I still don't agree to it.  I'm paying $50 for my xbox live account (worth it compared to the horrible Wii and PSN networks) and now I have to spend more money for online features?  These things should be fundamental and we shouldn't have to spend more then necessary for them.

*More ranting ahead!*

What about game DLC that is ridiculous?  Call of Duty 4 released their map packs at a respectable $10.  Not too bad and its sequel (sorta) World at War did the same which was definitely worth it for the Zombie map packs included.  Now all of a sudden Modern Warfare 2 releases its map pack and its $15 dollars!  5 maps for $3 each?  How much of a ripoff is it considering that two of the maps are just ported over from CoD 4?  If I purchased the two new map packs (10 maps total) I'm shelling out about half the cost of the actual game! 

The most notorious company however is probably Capcom.  They charged us about $3 for a feature that was already on our discs (see Resident Evil 5).  How can you charge us to unlock content already written onto our games?  What about Street Fighter IV's costume packs?  GEEEEEEEEEZ I'm tired of cheap ass companies doing their loyal gamers dirty.  Take a cue from Valve who constantly is updating and patching up their titles, releasing new content sometimes weekly!  Valve wanted to release a new map pack for Left 4 Dead and they gave it to their PC gamers for free.  They planned to do the same for Xbox owners but guess what?  Xbox decided to charge us $7 for it. 

You may be wondering why I'm making a big deal out of what is essentially the price of lunch right?  Imagine what you could buy instead of spending money on this crap:

Resident Evil 5 Versus Mode = The Impossible Game, I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES 1N IT!!!1, and They Came from the Ground

Modern Warfare Map Pack 1 = Braid or Castle Crashers or Trials HD or Shadow Complex

EA Sports $10 code = Geometry Wars 2 or Splosion Man or Pain or Pixeljunk Shooter

Think about things people..we vote with our wallets and the sad truth is the Modern Warfare 2 map pack sold over 2 million in less then a week! 

Enough ranting..any thoughts or feedback?  Is anyone even reading this far?