it proves no such thing. While quest for booty graphics wise looked just as good as Ratchet Future it was a much smaller game and was rather large to download. Just because they can put 1/6th of a game in download format doesn't mean the whole game is fitting to be released that way. Now things like Burnout Paradise which is a full game offered for download show it can be done.

you have no clue what you're talking about. The PSPGo is nothing more than a optical driveless PSP. All games for the PSP are now being released in downloadable form via the PSN. They aren't releasing PSPGo exclusives it's the same thing, except you download all your games. The PSP go is exactly like the PSP as far as what games you can play.

While that may have some effect I think the main reason the PS3 doesn't have software piracy is the blu-ray drive. As far as kids wanting "warez" the cost of a blu-ray burning and media is currently too expensive versus just going out and buying the games.

"If your enjoyment of the game is purely with those that have "cutting edge graphics and great gameplay"" This isn't quite what I was trying to say. I enjoy games other than the AAA blockbusters. What I have issues with is those games costing just as much as the the AAA titles. The latest Harry Potter game shouldn't cost as much as say Mass Effect 2. The graphics are no where near the same quality, the amount of time and effort on the developers part is no where near the same. And this relates to non-licensed games as well. Heavenly Sword, great game not worth anywhere near $60 for a 6 hour game, yet that one stayed at $60 for a couple years. It wasn't worth $60 new, it sure as hell wasn't worth $60 2 years after release. But it was a fun game that I really enjoyed renting and would have purchased it if it wasn't so overpriced for so long. Currently playing Sacred 2. Definitely not a AAA title, graphics are meh, lots of bugs, but it's fun and I don't feel bad about paying full price because it is fun and has hours upon hours of gameplay.

Mouse/Keyboard is not superior to a gamepad, it's all about preference and the type of game. I've been PC gaming since the original Doom yet still prefer a gamepad for most games including FPS. For WOW and similar though keyboard/mouse>Gamepad

For someone who isn't used to mouse/keyboard, gaming on it is very difficult. Watching my neighbor try to play WOW was a painful experience, WASD, camera via the mouse and all your attack buttons on 1-9, space to jump, tab to target,m for map, b for inventory, hold down mouse button to strafe. For someone who can't touch type this is not an easy configuration to learn. And noobs like this will usually gravitate towards using the arrow keys for movement and mouse to select attacks which makes keyboard/mouse a horrible method of control.

On the other hand someone who only games on PC will have a hard time adjusting to a gamepad, which IMHO is why PC elitest claim the mouse/keyboard is so much better. Because that's what you're accustomed to.

Benefits to a console/gamepad: Wireless controller, yeah you can get a wireless keyboard/mouse but it's not very convenient and mouse precision on the arm of a recliner is less than ideal. You really need to sit at a desk to use a mouse/keyboard well.

Games just work. I'm sick of DRM, games that don't run well on your specific hardware, having to upgrade parts to play a new game.

Resale. Yeah, PC games may be cheaper initially, but you can't sell them. A $60 console game usually cost me about $30 after trading it back in. A $50 PC game cost $50 even if I only play it for a day

Number of games. PC's are pretty limited compared to the amount/type of games you can get on a console. FPS, RTS, MMO and RPG's are available on PC. For MMO's and RTS's PC reign supreme. Stuff like God of War, Ninja Gaiden, Assassins Creed are all better on consoles. Stuff like Call of Duty is up to preference. I prefer the gamepad, some will prefer mouse/keyboard. I have equal control on both so it strictly comes down to convenience.

I understand the issues people have with gamestop, but if you shop around and get them on their specials deals can be had. For instance Lair is still selling for $50 to 60 new in most stores around here, including gamestop, but used it's $15. Granted any recent title is going to be $5 off(plus another $5.50 with the edge card) so you're saving over $10. Add that to being able to trade games you're no longer playing in and it's not too bad a deal with the edge card and the extra 20-30% they offer at times. Make use of the 7 day free rentals at gamestop as well and it's a decent bargain. I've beaten more than a few games during that free rental period, including Gears of War 2.

"The big budget phenomena has been the very thing that's lowering my enjoyment of games. IMHO, the obsession with graphics, sequels/IP and marketing (all big budget things) has detracted from the biggest part of games: gameplay."

I don't think that's quite the case. There have been some exceptional games released that have both excellent gameplay and great graphics. Call of Duty, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Dragon Age is looking to be awesome, the list of great games really goes on and on.

What I have a problem with is the games that don't have cutting edge graphics and great gameplay yet still cost the same. $60 for a AAA title I have no problem spending. $60 for the latest movie tie in or just average game I refuse to buy. And will pick it up used for half the cost if I want to play it. I really think that games should be released in different pricing tiers. For example the new Katimari for PS3 that's coming out would be fun and worth buying new for 20-30 bucks, but not a good deal for 50 or 60 when compared to Uncharted, Gears of War etc. If publishers would release these average games at a lower price point I would buy a lot of them new. As it is, most games aren't worth the price of admission and as such instead of the publisher/developer getting $30-40 of my money gamestop gets it.

What a load of misinformation. "When a PS3 or 360 goes belly up, sending it back for repair means losing your save date entirely." This is 100% false for 360 as you keep your harddrive, once the new console arrives, you stick your harddrive back on and that's it. I've sent mine back 4 times and have not once lost my save data. DRM on live purchases is another story, but they have since fixed that. PS3 I lost my save data the 1 time it broke. Although I think the harddrive got hosed when it died as I couldn't get the PS3 to even recognize or format the drive when I got my PS3 back. ( I sent it in with a new harddrive so I could keep my save files). So I'm not sure if it's possible to keep your data if the PS3 dies.

What you mean take responsibility for yourself and your children? That's clearly not the American way.

"How does Free go about breaking this lock-in?"

This is my only problem with Linux right now and I'm currently using Ubuntu as my main desktop with Win 7 as backup. I would absolutely love to abandon Windows completely but there just always seems to be something that I need/want that won't work, but I don't see how it's a fault of the OS, therefore don't see a way to make it better.

Currently my issue is with Netflix, and the watch instantly that requires Silverlight. I've tried moonlight, installing Firefox under Wine but nothing seems to work. Now I know this is a fault of Netflix or DRM and not Linux, but it doesn't change the fact that something I want and pay for I can't use w/out Windows.

So "How does Free go about breaking this lock-in?" as to me this seems like the #1 issue that will keep Linux from acquiring more users. The developers could clone the look and feel of Windows 7, release it for free and it won't take off, if people can't use it for what they want.