The lights are on
Well, an month later and I just got my update about the free points Microsoft will be giving out at the end of the promotional period. I gained 10 points for Nov in the form of a 1% return for the first month; I spent 1000 on DLC. I now have a total of 110 free points. Dec will be 2%, Jan 3%, Feb 4% and March the whooping 5%. I plan on spending the most MS points in March of course. I only spent 1000msp because I wasn't sure if Microsoft truly threw the lowly gamer a bone, but now it is for sure. In the end it goes back to a swift capitalist trick, you must spend to save. But I'm still loving it.
Well I never thought it would happen, but it seems that the giant coporation that is Microsoft is beginning to take better care of it's customers. I got an E-mail detailing a new program in which XBL members will receive points for doing regular activities such as: renewing membership, spending points (%5 return), and subscribing to Netflix. This new program is entitled the Xbox Live Rewards Squad and has already added 100 MS points to my account for completing a survey. The promotion will last only 6 months and you must be a Gold Member for the duration. Good one Microsoft. It is about time they treated us a little better.
Unfortunately, for the youth of the world right now, the whole gaming system is geared toward the older gamer with thicker wallets. At one point, the men that cry out, "I'm a Gamer", were mere kids. Just like the left out youth of the elder gamer of today. The real question should be to each and everyone of us, is this conducive to creating a new gamer for life. I really cannot say that I would be so obsessed with games at 27, if the companies weren't catering to me at the age of 7. Yet the big new game studios of today have forgotten that a gamer should not be taken for granted; they need to be grown. Microsoft and Sony seem to only be there for the mature adience. As for the Wii, shovel ware is the normal while the really good games are nonexistent. What are our young gamers to do? Buy a garbage game or try to convince their parents to buy them a game rated M. I would not want to be put in that position ever. The gaming industry needs to grow today's youth for tomorrow's adult gamer. It is the only way to harvest the hardcore gamer of the future. And the kids would love it too.
I just got Dead Space for the Xbox 360 and couldn't be happier. I know I am a year behind everyone else, but I like to do things at my own pace. As I powered down my system, scared out of my wits and thinking maybe I don't want to contune "playing" this game, I noticed something very interesting. At the bottem of the dashboard I read Big Gun Pack "game and-on" and I found myself contemplating. For a mere 80 Microsoft points I could recieve the Steam Punk Force Gun to help in my conquest on the Ishimura. I thought "wow, they accually added a new stronger weapon to this game and I could get it right now." I ran out and bought some Microsoft points just in case the game becomes way more intense; I hear that it does. I then began my research on the best package to buy to be greatly disappointed. I'm not sure whether or not I am too far behind to catch up or some very important people in my life are dropping the ball. By that I mean Gameinformer! The magazine that I've known and trusted for years does not seem to have any archived information on the downloadable content for Dead Space. It is not a game or a game expansion, for say, but it is gaming content that I would hope was covered. Maybe I am too new to the site or maybe the site is too new; I'm not sure. In the end I would like some sort of coverage on the DLC like weapons, skins, or armor in any game and not just on actual game expansions. I think I should just keep looking.
We all know things. The Xbox 360 is expensive, not durable, and will charge you to game. But, we all are still gaming on Microsoft's sleek but flawed entertainment center. How can this be? I just purchased the machine eight months ago knowing that it will probably crash in the near future. Two of my friends lost their consoles twice and I still ran out and bought the system. Now, I am playing online and actually spending more money then I ever have in my entire life on video games and accessories. When I'm not playing, all I talk about gaming. What is this obsession? I know the device will Red Ring of Death and all my time and accessories will be lost for a short time. But I still want more? Is Microsoft the ulitmate Capitalist or is there something else...the games maybe? Who knows? I sure as hell don't and I doubt that you do either. Maybe Microsoft should throw us a bone, make a little less money, and destroy the competition in the process. In the end more gamers would stay with the company and new gamers would come to the establishment. We would all pay just as we do now, but we would be more willing to give up our cash if we were giving up a little less. Don't you think?