Microsoft's always-loud internet spokesman Larry 'Major Nelson' Hryb has gone on the defence regarding the recent pay-for Gears of War download.
Speaking on the Major Nelson podcast, MS co-host 'e' said: "Free's great, I know what people are saying. I do find this amusing though; a lot of people may not remember this but a year ago Epic was bragging about how they cost us one billion dollars."
In case you're none the wiser, the podcast comments are in reference to Epic's persuasion of Microsoft to include 512MB of RAM in the Xbox 360 hardware, which ended up costing MS an extra billion bucks-a-roos (we promise not to use that word again).
"I just find it amusing that on the one hand Epic are saying 'haha, we cost you a billion dollars!' and on the other hand they're saying 'well these should be free!'", the co-host said. "It's much easier when you're spending other peoples money."
The Gears Hidden Fronts map pack is on Xbox Live Marketplace, with four new multiplayer maps, now for 800 Microsoft points (£6.80).
Surely by persuading them to add the 512mb of ram they SAVED them money since the 360 couldn't even hope to compete with ps3 with any less ram and it wouldnt be doing as well as it is.
It shoulda been a design decision in the first place, not an extra cost.
He can whine about costs until he's blue in the face. At the end of the day, it's yet another example of Microsoft charging for things which have always been free in the past.
Lets put it like this. Gears of War is an Xbox 360 exclusive (for now anyway) funded and published by Microsoft. Now this game is easily the biggest and most popular game on 360 so i think its only right that MS try and get some much needed money back by premium content. If your too cheap to pay 800MP then you can wait until September and get them for free. I think people just need to understand that this is a console game not a PC one when there are free downloads and mods. Live with it.
I think people just need to understand that this is a console game not a PC one when there are free downloads and mods. Live with it.
Yeah, thanks for that Einstein. That's like telling people in Zimbabwe that they should put up with Mugabe's bulls**t because they live in a country run by a dictator instead of in a free democracy.
It looks like Epic is working for the gamers, and not for the money. To be fair, Epic could've taken the money for themselves, instead of spending on improving the gaming experience. M$ seems to be showing their true colour. They're whining that someone improved their console, and now, they're trying to get more gamers to the 360, by providing free content. In the end, MS would get their cash, and a lot of it, because people like me are attracted to free content, but their stupidness doesn't seem to be helping.
I dunno what everyone's complaining about, the maps are going to be free soon anyway, MS are trying to just make a bit of cash from the people who can't wait.
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