George Lucas, Star Wars, (was Back To The Future Episode 1)

[oberonqa]

Half the time no one knows there will be a sequel, so there's no real "waiting around" to do. Sure, with some movies it's a given (ESB and all the SW prequels), but not with most films. When the original SW came out, NO ONE (most likely including Lucas) had any idea the movie would be popular enough to warrant additional films.

Often sequels are independent of each other as well. Indiana Jones is a good example. None of the IJ movies directly tie into one another. There are some brief references here and there (most of which are extremely minor), but nothing that requires the viewer to watch previous movies.

As for game expansions, you don't know they'll happen. No one knew Awakenings would get made when Dragon Age: Origins was released. For all we know, there could be several expansions released for Dragon Age 2 later on.

Ah, but we knew all the Prequels for Star Wars were coming out... and I'd wager you probably saw each one in the theater (despite the vile taste Episode 01 left in your mouth!)

And as for Dragon Age, forget AWAKENINGS... what about all those little side things they put out... the DLC stuff? All the same thing, just more that adds to the story and such.

Like I said, I am with you. I'd rather have the whole package. Just noting that we make exceptions, sometimes, as to what we want the whole thing at once, or if we get nibbles and small pieces here and there.

Because, Bioware has always had a history of adding additional content - from Baldur's Gate, to Neverwinter Nights, and now to Dragon Age and Mass Effect (and Mass Effect 2)... know that, for example, when Dragon Age 2 comes out will you wait until they release an "Ultimate Edition" like they did for the first Dragon Age?

This is very true. I made an exception when it came to seeing the Star Wars prequels in the theater. However... I have yet to purchase any of them on any home video format (VHS or DVD). Why? Because Lucas has already shown a penchant for "tinkering" with his movies and releasing the latest fruits of said tinkering on home video.

Why should I pay the price to own the Star Wars trilogy on VHS when I knew the prequels were coming out? That was the rationale I used when that particular box set was released. Then the prequels came out on DVD. Why should I pay the price to own this prequel trilogy when I know there's going to be a series boxset that contains all six movies?

Lo and behold, now they are prepping a blue-ray release of the entire series. And yet again, I find myself asking why should I buy THAT when I know that sooner or later, Lucas is going to "discover" lost footage of the prequels and inject that into the prequels and release that.

Lucas's handling of the Star Wars series is why I have never purchased a Star Wars movie and probably never will. I have no faith that whatever flavor of the year I'm buying won't be trumped by something else NEXT year.

I've already been burned by that with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, truth be told. I didn't purchase the theatrical edition DVD's because I knew about the Extended Editions. So I purchased those. Now, they got the Theatrical Edition Blu-Ray set out and there is rumblings about an Extended Edition Blu-Ray set coming out sometime next year. It's the same exact thing... and I find myself starting to lump Peter Jackson into the same category as George Lucas.

EDIT: Split this from the original topic, because I was veering it, unintentionally so, towards another topic entirely. I deleted my post but you and DPX were too quick and quoted it! - Tawmis

[DeadPoolX]

Half the time no one knows there will be a sequel, so there's no real "waiting around" to do. Sure, with some movies it's a given (ESB and all the SW prequels), but not with most films. When the original SW came out, NO ONE (most likely including Lucas) had any idea the movie would be popular enough to warrant additional films.

Often sequels are independent of each other as well. Indiana Jones is a good example. None of the IJ movies directly tie into one another. There are some brief references here and there (most of which are extremely minor), but nothing that requires the viewer to watch previous movies.

As for game expansions, you don't know they'll happen. No one knew Awakenings would get made when Dragon Age: Origins was released. For all we know, there could be several expansions released for Dragon Age 2 later on.

Ah, but we knew all the Prequels for Star Wars were coming out... and I'd wager you probably saw each one in the theater (despite the vile taste Episode 01 left in your mouth!)

Tawmis, I mentioned the SW prequels in my post.

The SW prequels were different in that they are prequels, not sequels. With a prequel, you know a certain set of events have to occur. We don't know how those events will be displayed, however, which is why we watch.

More to the point, no one knew the prequels would ever be released. ROTJ came out in 1983 and although there had been talk about making Episodes 1-3, nothing came of it until 1999. By that time, very few people even considered a prequel trilogy a possibility (if they even thought of it at all).

And as for Dragon Age, forget AWAKENINGS... what about all those little side things they put out... the DLC stuff? All the same thing, just more that adds to the story and such.

But who knows any DLC will be released? I certainly didn't.

None of the DLC is vitally important to the story, either. It's nice to have new weapons or get a side-story or two, but none of that is necessary.

Because, Bioware has always had a history of adding additional content - from Baldur's Gate, to Neverwinter Nights, and now to Dragon Age and Mass Effect (and Mass Effect 2)... know that, for example, when Dragon Age 2 comes out will you wait until they release an "Ultimate Edition" like they did for the first Dragon Age?

Once again, how could anyone know there will be an "Ultimate Edition" (or whatever they choose to call it) if they don't know extra content will be released?

[oberonqa]

Half the time no one knows there will be a sequel, so there's no real "waiting around" to do. Sure, with some movies it's a given (ESB and all the SW prequels), but not with most films. When the original SW came out, NO ONE (most likely including Lucas) had any idea the movie would be popular enough to warrant additional films.

Often sequels are independent of each other as well. Indiana Jones is a good example. None of the IJ movies directly tie into one another. There are some brief references here and there (most of which are extremely minor), but nothing that requires the viewer to watch previous movies.

As for game expansions, you don't know they'll happen. No one knew Awakenings would get made when Dragon Age: Origins was released. For all we know, there could be several expansions released for Dragon Age 2 later on.

Ah, but we knew all the Prequels for Star Wars were coming out... and I'd wager you probably saw each one in the theater (despite the vile taste Episode 01 left in your mouth!)

Tawmis, I mentioned the SW prequels in my post.

The SW prequels were different in that they are prequels, not sequels. With a prequel, you know a certain set of events have to occur. We don't know how those events will be displayed, however, which is why we watch.

More to the point, no one knew the prequels would ever be released. ROTJ came out in 1983 and although there had been talk about making Episodes 1-3, nothing came of it until 1999. By that time, very few people even considered a prequel trilogy a possibility (if they even thought of it at all).

And as for Dragon Age, forget AWAKENINGS... what about all those little side things they put out... the DLC stuff? All the same thing, just more that adds to the story and such.

But who knows any DLC will be released? I certainly didn't.

None of the DLC is vitally important to the story, either. It's nice to have new weapons or get a side-story or two, but none of that is necessary.

Because, Bioware has always had a history of adding additional content - from Baldur's Gate, to Neverwinter Nights, and now to Dragon Age and Mass Effect (and Mass Effect 2)... know that, for example, when Dragon Age 2 comes out will you wait until they release an "Ultimate Edition" like they did for the first Dragon Age?

Once again, how could anyone know there will be an "Ultimate Edition" (or whatever they choose to call it) if they don't know extra content will be released?

Yea... DLC is pretty much exempt in my opinion because there is no DLC that is integral to the story. I haven't played Dragon Age: Origins in a while, but I did recently finish a play through of Mass Effect 2. In order for DLC to be integral to the story, you would have to have DLC that picked up the storyline and continued it in some form or fashion. In the case of Mass Effect 2, this would translate into having a DLC that finishes off the actual story of Mass Effect 2 once you reach that all important point-of-no-return (which I won't spoil for people who have not played ME2). In that instance, the DLC would be covered under this topic, as you clearly need the DLC in order to finish the storyline of ME2.

Conversely, the DLC that was just released, Lair of the Shadow Broker, is a side story. You don't need this DLC in order to finish the storyline of ME2... as it deals primarily with side characters and the events of the DLC do not impact the overall storyline. This kind of DLC is not covered under this topic because you don't need to play Lair of the Shadow Broker in order to finish the storyline of ME2.

[DeadPoolX]

Half the time no one knows there will be a sequel, so there's no real "waiting around" to do. Sure, with some movies it's a given (ESB and all the SW prequels), but not with most films. When the original SW came out, NO ONE (most likely including Lucas) had any idea the movie would be popular enough to warrant additional films.

Often sequels are independent of each other as well. Indiana Jones is a good example. None of the IJ movies directly tie into one another. There are some brief references here and there (most of which are extremely minor), but nothing that requires the viewer to watch previous movies.

As for game expansions, you don't know they'll happen. No one knew Awakenings would get made when Dragon Age: Origins was released. For all we know, there could be several expansions released for Dragon Age 2 later on.

Ah, but we knew all the Prequels for Star Wars were coming out... and I'd wager you probably saw each one in the theater (despite the vile taste Episode 01 left in your mouth!)

Tawmis, I mentioned the SW prequels in my post.

The SW prequels were different in that they are prequels, not sequels. With a prequel, you know a certain set of events have to occur. We don't know how those events will be displayed, however, which is why we watch.

More to the point, no one knew the prequels would ever be released. ROTJ came out in 1983 and although there had been talk about making Episodes 1-3, nothing came of it until 1999. By that time, very few people even considered a prequel trilogy a possibility (if they even thought of it at all).

And as for Dragon Age, forget AWAKENINGS... what about all those little side things they put out... the DLC stuff? All the same thing, just more that adds to the story and such.

But who knows any DLC will be released? I certainly didn't.

None of the DLC is vitally important to the story, either. It's nice to have new weapons or get a side-story or two, but none of that is necessary.

Because, Bioware has always had a history of adding additional content - from Baldur's Gate, to Neverwinter Nights, and now to Dragon Age and Mass Effect (and Mass Effect 2)... know that, for example, when Dragon Age 2 comes out will you wait until they release an "Ultimate Edition" like they did for the first Dragon Age?

Once again, how could anyone know there will be an "Ultimate Edition" (or whatever they choose to call it) if they don't know extra content will be released?

Yea... DLC is pretty much exempt in my opinion because there is no DLC that is integral to the story. I haven't played Dragon Age: Origins in a while, but I did recently finish a play through of Mass Effect 2. In order for DLC to be integral to the story, you would have to have DLC that picked up the storyline and continued it in some form or fashion. In the case of Mass Effect 2, this would translate into having a DLC that finishes off the actual story of Mass Effect 2 once you reach that all important point-of-no-return (which I won't spoil for people who have not played ME2). In that instance, the DLC would be covered under this topic, as you clearly need the DLC in order to finish the storyline of ME2.

Conversely, the DLC that was just released, Lair of the Shadow Broker, is a side story. You don't need this DLC in order to finish the storyline of ME2... as it deals primarily with side characters and the events of the DLC do not impact the overall storyline. This kind of DLC is not covered under this topic because you don't need to play Lair of the Shadow Broker in order to finish the storyline of ME2.

What's funny is that if DLC was made integral to the story it would then change the game to episodic format.

[Tawmis]

This is very true. I made an exception when it came to seeing the Star Wars prequels in the theater. However... I have yet to purchase any of them on any home video format (VHS or DVD). Why? Because Lucas has already shown a penchant for "tinkering" with his movies and releasing the latest fruits of said tinkering on home video.

Why should I pay the price to own the Star Wars trilogy on VHS when I knew the prequels were coming out? That was the rationale I used when that particular box set was released. Then the prequels came out on DVD. Why should I pay the price to own this prequel trilogy when I know there's going to be a series boxset that contains all six movies?

Lo and behold, now they are prepping a blue-ray release of the entire series. And yet again, I find myself asking why should I buy THAT when I know that sooner or later, Lucas is going to "discover" lost footage of the prequels and inject that into the prequels and release that.

Lucas's handling of the Star Wars series is why I have never purchased a Star Wars movie and probably never will. I have no faith that whatever flavor of the year I'm buying won't be trumped by something else NEXT year.

I've already been burned by that with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, truth be told. I didn't purchase the theatrical edition DVD's because I knew about the Extended Editions. So I purchased those. Now, they got the Theatrical Edition Blu-Ray set out and there is rumblings about an Extended Edition Blu-Ray set coming out sometime next year. It's the same exact thing... and I find myself starting to lump Peter Jackson into the same category as George Lucas.

So... let me get this straight...

You have not purchased Star Wars on VHS... because they were going to come out on DVD... then, you figured you wouldn't buy them on DVD because a better version with "lost footage" was going to come out on DVD... then you decided to hold off on that, because BluRay versions of them are going to come out... and you're not sure you're going to buy those either, because SURLY... some newer version of it will come out...?

Explain something to me. If you could.

Do you own a computer? If so? Why? I mean, no doubt there's going to be a faster processor soon. So why pay for one? Or a better video card, with better memory and such on it?

And do you own a car? If so? Why? Because clearly, they're going to make the next set of cars with better gas milage. And why even get one that deals with gas? Why not get a hybrid? Or - wait for it - one that's completely solar? Or whatever the next one is?

By that theory of always holding out for the next one, and thus refusing to get what's there currently - you would, essentially, be living under a rock. (Because why buy a house that uses electricity, when one day there will be one that's only solar? Or something else...)

The SW prequels were different in that they are prequels, not sequels. With a prequel, you know a certain set of events have to occur. We don't know how those events will be displayed, however, which is why we watch.

More to the point, no one knew the prequels would ever be released. ROTJ came out in 1983 and although there had been talk about making Episodes 1-3, nothing came of it until 1999. By that time, very few people even considered a prequel trilogy a possibility (if they even thought of it at all).

Aye, but I was saying - why go see Episode 01, when you KNOW (without a doubt) there will be an Episode 02 and Episode 03. You're still doing it by episodes. Why not wait till all three are out, purchase them and watch them in one sitting?

(Again, not something I'd do - merely playing the devil's advocate!)

[oberonqa]

This is very true. I made an exception when it came to seeing the Star Wars prequels in the theater. However... I have yet to purchase any of them on any home video format (VHS or DVD). Why? Because Lucas has already shown a penchant for "tinkering" with his movies and releasing the latest fruits of said tinkering on home video.

Why should I pay the price to own the Star Wars trilogy on VHS when I knew the prequels were coming out? That was the rationale I used when that particular box set was released. Then the prequels came out on DVD. Why should I pay the price to own this prequel trilogy when I know there's going to be a series boxset that contains all six movies?

Lo and behold, now they are prepping a blue-ray release of the entire series. And yet again, I find myself asking why should I buy THAT when I know that sooner or later, Lucas is going to "discover" lost footage of the prequels and inject that into the prequels and release that.

Lucas's handling of the Star Wars series is why I have never purchased a Star Wars movie and probably never will. I have no faith that whatever flavor of the year I'm buying won't be trumped by something else NEXT year.

I've already been burned by that with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, truth be told. I didn't purchase the theatrical edition DVD's because I knew about the Extended Editions. So I purchased those. Now, they got the Theatrical Edition Blu-Ray set out and there is rumblings about an Extended Edition Blu-Ray set coming out sometime next year. It's the same exact thing... and I find myself starting to lump Peter Jackson into the same category as George Lucas.

So... let me get this straight...

You have not purchased Star Wars on VHS... because they were going to come out on DVD... then, you figured you wouldn't buy them on DVD because a better version with "lost footage" was going to come out on DVD... then you decided to hold off on that, because BluRay versions of them are going to come out... and you're not sure you're going to buy those either, because SURLY... some newer version of it will come out...?

Explain something to me. If you could.

Do you own a computer? If so? Why? I mean, no doubt there's going to be a faster processor soon. So why pay for one? Or a better video card, with better memory and such on it?

And do you own a car? If so? Why? Because clearly, they're going to make the next set of cars with better gas milage. And why even get one that deals with gas? Why not get a hybrid? Or - wait for it - one that's completely solar? Or whatever the next one is?

By that theory of always holding out for the next one, and thus refusing to get what's there currently - you would, essentially, be living under a rock. (Because why buy a house that uses electricity, when one day there will be one that's only solar? Or something else...)

These are all valid counter-points.... allow me to answer each one in kind:

Do I own a computer? Yes I do. Why do I own a computer when, like you say, there's always going to be better processors and video cards coming out? The answer is.... a computer only does what a computer can do. I build a computer every 5-6 years... so the investment in building a computer pays out over the course of 5-6 years. I've never purchased Star Wars because there's always something new being put into it that makes it the "definitive" set. Be it new scenes or more behind-the-scenes special stuff.... the investment in a Star Wars collection only lasts until a new collection comes out.

Do I own a car? Yes I do. Why do I own a car when, like you say, they are always coming out with something that has better mileage, runs on solar power, etc? Because a car, to me, is designed to get me from point A to point B. Nothing that they come up with (short of air-cars that were promised in both Jetsons AND Back to the Future) takes away from this. A car, to me, is about going from point A to point B.... my 1982 Chevy Astro still gets the job done quite well.

And do I own a home? Yes I do. Why do I own a home when, like you say, one day there will be solar equipped houses instead of electricity? Because a home, to me, is a place that weathers the elements... a place of sanctuary. In fact, the home I own was built in 1952. And still does it's job admirably well.

The point here is long-term investment. In the case of a car, home, or computer, your dealing with a long-term investment. It is true that when you buy a car, said car looses half it's value the moment you drive it off the lot. It is also true that when you buy a computer, it looses half it's value the moment you buy it. However, the functionality of these purchases does not decrease for many years.

A computer, if built intelligently, has no problem lasting 5-6 years... something that can only be said now (as opposed to 15-20 years ago when computer technology was moving at breakneck pace). The computer does not loose it's core functionality if built intelligently (this is a rather fine point and a potential topic for another time.... as it goes far beyond the scope of the current topic). Sure new processors and video cards are always coming out... but do you really need a Radeon 6800 video card when you can still play the games of today on a Radeon 4850 (which came out 4 years ago)? Likewise.... do you really need a 6-core processor when the majority of consumer programs coming out are just starting to take advantage of dual-core processors (I don't classify video encoding applications as consumer programs.... so don't even try going there.)?

A car, no matter when it was purchased, can provide it's core functionality of providing transportation between point A and point B for decades, making it reliable. Having a hybrid does not add to or take away from a car's core functionality of going between point A and point B. Short of the aft-mentioned Air Cars, there is no advancement in the automotive arena that should warrant a delayed purchase.

And likewise, a home, no matter when it was build, can provide it's core functionality for decades, making it reliable. More importantly, you can purchase solar panel or wind-generator kits to add onto your house if you should desire these features.

All three of these instances differ greatly from purchasing a Star Wars collection. In fact, do you realize that in the last 15 years, we've had the following collections released:

Star Wars Trilogy - VHS - 1995
Star Wars Special Edition Trilogy - VHS - 1997
Star Wars Trilogy Full Screen - DVD - 2004
Star Wars Trilogy Widescreen - DVD - 2004
Star Wars Trilogy without Bonus Disc - DVD - 2005
Star Wars Trilogy Widescreen without Bonus Disc - DVD - 2005
Star Wars Special Edition Trilogy - DVD - 2008
Star Wars Prequel Trilogy - DVD - 2008

That's 8 separate collection SKU's released in the last 15 years.... and now Lucas is prepping the blu-ray version(s) of the who thing. Your telling me you don't see a problem here? If you don't, then Lucas must love you. Me... if I ever own the collection, it'll be after Lucas has passed away and his children make a public statement stating they won't tinker with their father's masterpiece.

Not like I don't have the entire series perma-stored on my DVR.

The SW prequels were different in that they are prequels, not sequels. With a prequel, you know a certain set of events have to occur. We don't know how those events will be displayed, however, which is why we watch.

More to the point, no one knew the prequels would ever be released. ROTJ came out in 1983 and although there had been talk about making Episodes 1-3, nothing came of it until 1999. By that time, very few people even considered a prequel trilogy a possibility (if they even thought of it at all).

Aye, but I was saying - why go see Episode 01, when you KNOW (without a doubt) there will be an Episode 02 and Episode 03. You're still doing it by episodes. Why not wait till all three are out, purchase them and watch them in one sitting?

(Again, not something I'd do - merely playing the devil's advocate!)

Ironically, I have friends who felt this way and didn't see the prequel trilogy until after Episode 3 came out.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Tawmis]

The point here is long-term investment. In the case of a car, home, or computer, your dealing with a long-term investment. It is true that when you buy a car, said car looses half it's value the moment you drive it off the lot. It is also true that when you buy a computer, it looses half it's value the moment you buy it. However, the functionality of these purchases does not decrease for many years.

Okay - so the car and home, I can see as long term investments (and were examples I gave in extreme cases). But the computer? A long term investment? You say it pays itself off in 5 or 6 years. But couldn't the same be said for purchasing STAR WARS. Why DO you have to have those "5 minutes of previously undiscovered footage." Why not buy one set - and say, "Hey, I got them. And now I can watch them whenever I want."

I personally dislike the "Special Editions." I prefer the originals. There's some nice things he did in the special editions (made it, for example so that you can't see through the Snow Speeder on some scenes and see the AT-AT's legs... but this... I never noticed until he pointed out). But there's too many things (or perhaps several small things) that irk me enough about the "Special Editions" (Han Solo shooting first anyone? Modified Jabba anyone?) that I could EASILY do without. And the lost 5 minutes of footage he pops out every so often? So freaking what? That's what Youtube is for. Search it on there and go, "Oh. Cool."

I prefer to own the original, as close to the original anyway, as possible. I bought it on VHS. I bought it on DVD. I admittedly, did also get the wide screen - but ONLY - after we got a wide screen television. I will probably get it on BluRay when it comes out, because we recently (within 6 months) purchased a BluRay player.

But I haven't found the need to purchase every version out there that's possible.

Not to say I don't have my issues with Lucas. I could strangle him for when I bought the Star Wars 3rd Edition books, and little did I know, they released a 3.5 version with more content, that also corrected a bunch of errors within the book that broke some of the game play.

A computer, if built intelligently, has no problem lasting 5-6 years... something that can only be said now (as opposed to 15-20 years ago when computer technology was moving at breakneck pace). The computer does not loose it's core functionality

I guess that's what I don't get - neither does a DVD. (Sure, VHS does... those tapes can only take so much!) But if you got one set of Star Wars on DVD and watched it - you could watch it repeatedly, well past 5 or 6 years. There's no need to get BluRay if you don't want. Sure, it might have more content - but if watching the movies is your main goal - then who cares about the additional content, lost footage, etc?

[oberonqa]

The point here is long-term investment. In the case of a car, home, or computer, your dealing with a long-term investment. It is true that when you buy a car, said car looses half it's value the moment you drive it off the lot. It is also true that when you buy a computer, it looses half it's value the moment you buy it. However, the functionality of these purchases does not decrease for many years.

Okay - so the car and home, I can see as long term investments (and were examples I gave in extreme cases). But the computer? A long term investment? You say it pays itself off in 5 or 6 years. But couldn't the same be said for purchasing STAR WARS. Why DO you have to have those "5 minutes of previously undiscovered footage." Why not buy one set - and say, "Hey, I got them. And now I can watch them whenever I want."

I personally dislike the "Special Editions." I prefer the originals. There's some nice things he did in the special editions (made it, for example so that you can't see through the Snow Speeder on some scenes and see the AT-AT's legs... but this... I never noticed until he pointed out). But there's too many things (or perhaps several small things) that irk me enough about the "Special Editions" (Han Solo shooting first anyone? Modified Jabba anyone?) that I could EASILY do without. And the lost 5 minutes of footage he pops out every so often? So freaking what? That's what Youtube is for. Search it on there and go, "Oh. Cool."

I prefer to own the original, as close to the original anyway, as possible. I bought it on VHS. I bought it on DVD. I admittedly, did also get the wide screen - but ONLY - after we got a wide screen television. I will probably get it on BluRay when it comes out, because we recently (within 6 months) purchased a BluRay player.

But I haven't found the need to purchase every version out there that's possible.

Not to say I don't have my issues with Lucas. I could strangle him for when I bought the Star Wars 3rd Edition books, and little did I know, they released a 3.5 version with more content, that also corrected a bunch of errors within the book that broke some of the game play.

A computer, if built intelligently, has no problem lasting 5-6 years... something that can only be said now (as opposed to 15-20 years ago when computer technology was moving at breakneck pace). The computer does not loose it's core functionality

I guess that's what I don't get - neither does a DVD. (Sure, VHS does... those tapes can only take so much!) But if you got one set of Star Wars on DVD and watched it - you could watch it repeatedly, well past 5 or 6 years. There's no need to get BluRay if you don't want. Sure, it might have more content - but if watching the movies is your main goal - then who cares about the additional content, lost footage, etc?

Well.... what if you had the VHS version and didn't have the DVD version.... but you just picked up an HDTV? That VHS wouldn't look all that great on the new TV, which would necessitate a decision... buy the DVD version or buy the blu-ray version.

Like I said though, I have the entire series on my DVR, which didn't cost me anything outside of my monthly DirectTV bill (which is far cheaper than the cost of one of those sets). I see no reason to reward Lucas for releasing SKU after SKU. All it boils down to is milking the cash cow that is Star Wars. And when I purchase a movie, I purchase it for the whole monty.... which is the special features and whatnot. Movies that I just want to see... well that's what NetFlix and DirectTV are for.

As for the computer.... 5-6 years is great for a computer. That is 3 generations of hardware/software between builds. Not a bad turn-around if you ask me... but it does boil down to personal preference and what each person's entertainment purchase priorities are.

[Maxor127]

I miss the days of expansion packs. Now, game companies nickel and dime you with overpriced DLC, sometimes on launch day. Recently, I looked into buying some Bioware DLC, but I gave up because I couldn't find where to buy it from, and I didn't like that they used points rather than money, which is just another way of trying to squeeze more money out of you. Worse still is how DLC isn't often on sale or available in a separate collection. The only reason I bought Elder Scrolls Oblivion DLC was because it basically came free with Knights of the Nine, and I felt like I was getting a good deal. Oh yeah, don't even get me started about tying the game you purchased to a specific account so that you can pretty much never sell it or give it to someone else. So that even if I did decide to buy Dragon Age Ultimate Edition and give the regular edition to someone else, it would be too much of a hassle to even bother. I'd much rather have a full-fledged expansion pack than tiny quests for a quarter of the price of the full game.

[Tawmis]

I didn't like that they used points rather than money, which is just another way of trying to squeeze more money out of you.

So I assume you buy nothing on XBOX LIVE if you have it?

[DeadPoolX]

I didn't like that they used points rather than money, which is just another way of trying to squeeze more money out of you.

So I assume you buy nothing on XBOX LIVE if you have it?

The Wii does the same thing (i.e. Wii points), but I see what Maxor is saying. I don't like buying points, either. I'd much rather buy money, like you can do on Steam with their new Steam Wallet, than points. The idea is similar, but on Steam five dollars always equals five dollars whereas five dollars could mean an arbitrary number of points on the Wii or Xbox 360.

That said, DLC is similar to expansion packs. The main difference is there's no hard media. True, DLC is smaller in size and content than full-fledged expansion packs, but that's probably to keep download times to a minimum. DLC isn't very expensive, either. Most DLC content is around five-to-seven dollars, whereas expansion packs are always more.

Dragon Age: Awakenings is an expansion for Dragon Age: Origins and it's priced at around $40 (or at least it was when I last looked). Do you get more content? Yeah, you do, but it's also a lot more expensive.

I'll agree that some DLC is crazy and unbalances the game. Usually this occurs in multiplayer games, where those who buy DLC have an advantage over those who don't. In single player games, however, it doesn't matter.

[Tawmis]

I'll agree that some DLC is crazy and unbalances the game. Usually this occurs in multiplayer games, where those who buy DLC have an advantage over those who don't. In single player games, however, it doesn't matter.

This is true of almost any multiplayer game that is an RPG, where the DLC and/or Expansion Pack "unbalances" the game. It's because the weapons, armor, spells, etc are all typically far more powerful and beneficial than the previous game. That way there's an appeal. I remember this happening back in the days of EverQuest, where each expansion that came out for the game, made the game's previous top gear pretty obsolete.

[Tawmis]

This just fits this thread so well.
Darth Vader Announces Star Wars on BluRay!

[oberonqa]

This just fits this thread so well.
Darth Vader Announces Star Wars on BluRay!

I rest my case.... especially with this little bit right here:

The three extra discs of the Complete Saga set are special features that contain more than 30 hours of extensive special features including never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes, an exploration of the exclusive Star Wars archives, and much more.

It seems there's always going to be new footage found in the Star Wars archives... forever.

[Maxor127]

I didn't like that they used points rather than money, which is just another way of trying to squeeze more money out of you.

So I assume you buy nothing on XBOX LIVE if you have it?

Nope. Nothing. I didn't even have Xbox Live Gold until a couple months ago when I bought a card that was on sale and still haven't used it. I think Xbox Live is a ripoff. It would be like if Valve charged $50-$60 a year for Steam since they're essentially the same thing. I could see if Xbox Live actually hosted servers for games, but they don't from what I understand. Instead, it assigns whoever has the best connection as the host. Plus, even with a gold account, you still get a ton of ads. And if you and someone else who uses the same system want to play on Xbox Live with your accounts, you have to pay for separate Xbox Live accounts. Ridiculous.

I used to hate Steam too, but I can't argue with the great sales and ease of use. I just hate not being able to trade my games or let someone borrow a game like I could with a boxed copy. And I hate the method that it installs games in the Steam folder.