Opine: Why Stay Out Of Pole Position
As I ponder whether or not to get a cheap Xbox 360 (thanks Scooter!), I took a bit of time to think about why I like to stay Behind The Curve. It’s not just something that I’ve been doing for a few years, but something that I’ve always done. My parents were reasonably frugal, and although we were at the cutting edge at one point when I was 10 years old, we tend to try to get our money’s worth rather than just have bragging rights because we’ve got the latest stuff.
So, a short list is probably in order:
- Game prices drop pretty quickly these days, and I can’t see paying $50-60 for a game that will drop in price within 6-12 months. Within 2 years a game is often released at a lower price point to pick up extra sales once costs are recouped. I can wait that long to get the game cheaper.
- There’s a lot of stores trading in used games these days. While bad news for publishers, it’s great for consumers because it means getting the same game cheaper. Usually.
- I don’t feel the need to by a game or console as soon as it comes out. I prefer that engineering and product issues are worked out. I tend to lean towards getting the second or later generation of a product because by then most of the problems are worked out and I don’t have to deal with having to replace or repair a unit.
- I’ve got a local store that does Two For Tuesday deals, where you buy one used game for a platform and you get a second one of equal or lesser value for free. They make good money on this deal, and I save lots of money. I can justify spending $15 to get two used games, instead of $19.99 on a new one. Or more. For $60 I can get 8 games instead of one next-gen game.
- I hate queues. Detest them. That’s why you won’t find me in any for a game console or game. Except maybe come Thanksgiving when I try to get a Wii.
- I don’t like paying every month for the right to continue playing a game, and that’s why I don’t play World of Warcraft or another pay for MMO.
- $400+ is a lot of money to drop on a single piece of electronics in one go. In general we have a rule in this family, which is anything over $500 gets an extended warranty, but special items under that price point that have a history of failing will get one. the problem is that the warranties available for consoles are only for a couple of years, and I can’t justify paying for a new console in 2-3 years.
- I’ve got plenty of existing games and consoles to play, so it’s not as if I’m getting no gaming done by not being at the curve for gaming.
- I’ve never been one to be in the in-crowd. This has followed me into gaming, as it has all other parts of my life.
I’m tempted to buy a Wii and a Xbox 360 now although, mostly because I’ve got friends with them and I want to get in on the action. I miss gaming in a group with other people, but truth be told is that I’m mostly a solitary gamer, and I like having peace and quiet to really get into a game. That’s partly why I game late at night, because everyone else is asleep.
Still, sometimes I dream about playing building up my Live account with some sweet achievements.
