Gaucho420's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/139925/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/173099-is-nintendo-the-apple-of-steve-jobs-eye?source=feed#comment-757760 757760
Also, Nintendo in Japan is considered to be a national gem, similar to Ford, GE or whoever else you want in the US

While I do think it makes sense on many levels and certainly both companies have similar customer service orientations geared at high sastifaction of its customers, I beleive NTODY's large cash position (especially with an appreciating YEN) combined with NTDOY's treasured position in Japan, that it would be very, very hard for someone of Apple's size to pull it off.

The Japanese would see it as a foreign take-over of a very treasured company and I'm not so sure they would let it happen.

Protectionism sucks, but, Japan certainly wouldn't be the first one's to do it. ]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:21:31 -0500
Also, Nintendo in Japan is considered to be a national gem, similar to Ford, GE or whoever else you want in the US

While I do think it makes sense on many levels and certainly both companies have similar customer service orientations geared at high sastifaction of its customers, I beleive NTODY's large cash position (especially with an appreciating YEN) combined with NTDOY's treasured position in Japan, that it would be very, very hard for someone of Apple's size to pull it off.

The Japanese would see it as a foreign take-over of a very treasured company and I'm not so sure they would let it happen.

Protectionism sucks, but, Japan certainly wouldn't be the first one's to do it. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170485-utilities-get-dividends-paid-in-euros?source=feed#comment-740864 740864
GDFZY is the world's 2nd largest utility company behind Russia's behemoth Gazprom, and they were listed fully with the NYSE prior to Sarbanes–Oxley Act becoming law, which required more time & money to stay listed with the NYSE. Once that law became 100% enforeceable, for foreign companies with low volumes in the US, Banes-Oxley proved too cost prohibitive given the low volume, so they went with the OTC. ]]> Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:04:50 -0500
GDFZY is the world's 2nd largest utility company behind Russia's behemoth Gazprom, and they were listed fully with the NYSE prior to Sarbanes–Oxley Act becoming law, which required more time & money to stay listed with the NYSE. Once that law became 100% enforeceable, for foreign companies with low volumes in the US, Banes-Oxley proved too cost prohibitive given the low volume, so they went with the OTC. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170485-utilities-get-dividends-paid-in-euros?source=feed#comment-740855 740855
I still beleive in the philosophy and have been investing in it for a while, but your readers should know about the taxes taken out up front as well. I do beleive, however, that you are not double taxed from the US government either, but the foreign tax will probaby be a higher % than what the US government would've taken out on its own. ]]> Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:58:55 -0500
I still beleive in the philosophy and have been investing in it for a while, but your readers should know about the taxes taken out up front as well. I do beleive, however, that you are not double taxed from the US government either, but the foreign tax will probaby be a higher % than what the US government would've taken out on its own. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168092-microsoft-s-xbox-beats-out-all-other-game-consoles?source=feed#comment-732898 732898
It happens again and hello PS3. I'm not a damn idiot who's going to keep feeding MSFT money, when clearly they don't give a damn about their customers.

$120 120 gig hard drive? $99 WIFI Antenna? Poor customer service?

Check, check and check with MSFT. ]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:56:54 -0400
It happens again and hello PS3. I'm not a damn idiot who's going to keep feeding MSFT money, when clearly they don't give a damn about their customers.

$120 120 gig hard drive? $99 WIFI Antenna? Poor customer service?

Check, check and check with MSFT. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168092-microsoft-s-xbox-beats-out-all-other-game-consoles?source=feed#comment-732896 732896
Your own columns have said in the past that the Wii is in the living room, while the 360 is in the bedroom...which clearly shows that it isn't a family friendly device and therefore, cannot hope to surpass the Wii.

I also know many non-gamers who are waiting to get into gaming for one reason or another (as Nintendo always touts within their stats) and most have zero interest in the 360 or the PS3...too many button, too complicated and too expensive ($60 games turns people off).

So I don't know Bruce....I own a 360 & a Wii, and while I like the extra 360 stuff on XBL, I would choose the Wii over the 360 if I had to pick one console at this point. Its interactive, easier to play with all my non-gaming friends, Wii Fit is a great program that really isn't a game AND...NO RED RING OF DEATH!

If the 360 is going to outsell the Wii, it will be because it copies the Wii. The great myth of the all encompassing machine that the family revolves around isn't true along the PS3 & 360 machines...that machine is the Wii as its simple, fun and easy to get into.]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:54:39 -0400
Your own columns have said in the past that the Wii is in the living room, while the 360 is in the bedroom...which clearly shows that it isn't a family friendly device and therefore, cannot hope to surpass the Wii.

I also know many non-gamers who are waiting to get into gaming for one reason or another (as Nintendo always touts within their stats) and most have zero interest in the 360 or the PS3...too many button, too complicated and too expensive ($60 games turns people off).

So I don't know Bruce....I own a 360 & a Wii, and while I like the extra 360 stuff on XBL, I would choose the Wii over the 360 if I had to pick one console at this point. Its interactive, easier to play with all my non-gaming friends, Wii Fit is a great program that really isn't a game AND...NO RED RING OF DEATH!

If the 360 is going to outsell the Wii, it will be because it copies the Wii. The great myth of the all encompassing machine that the family revolves around isn't true along the PS3 & 360 machines...that machine is the Wii as its simple, fun and easy to get into.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168811-take-two-trades-wager-on-upside?source=feed#comment-730872 730872
So that's one new franchise selling well, two GTA games expected to sell well and the usually NBA2k, which typically does well.

But the big news is point #1. ]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:07:19 -0400
So that's one new franchise selling well, two GTA games expected to sell well and the usually NBA2k, which typically does well.

But the big news is point #1. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/166464-gamestop-director-leonard-riggio-shows-us-the-future-of-gaming?source=feed#comment-716748 716748
I go to store now, such as this week to pick up NBA2k10, because I wanted the anniversay edition. But had it been a normal non-anniversary year and had the option been there to download it straight to the hard-drive from XBL, I probably would've opted for that.

I think a bigger argument agaisnt downloads is 1) the added cost of a hard drive to store them (especially when you get to the full sized games), 2) the lack of a manual and 3) no trade in value on downloads.

I know quite a few dedicated gamers who don't download that many games, because they dont' feel like wasting money on a hard-drive. And that's the over-riding reason, plus the trade-in value of discs.

For the 360, retailers should thank MSFT for making the hard drives propriatery and super expensive, as it keeps a large number of gamers hooked to retailers, as nobody wants to pay MSFT ridiculous price on its 60 gig or 120 gig drives.

I have paid for the 120 gig drive, because I can afford it, but most can and most simply don't even trie demos, movies or anything else, as the hard-drive on the 360 is cost-prohibitive.

I know the PS3 can use any drive you choose, but even at bottom barrell prices, it still cost money.

So in my humble opinion, online gaming will be restricted (for a tiny while) by the cost of extra storage. I have seen this to be true across my gaming friends and I know a boatload of all ages, sex and income types. Gamers want to play...paying for a hard-drive is simply an unwanted hassle at the current prices. ]]> Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:41:28 -0400
I go to store now, such as this week to pick up NBA2k10, because I wanted the anniversay edition. But had it been a normal non-anniversary year and had the option been there to download it straight to the hard-drive from XBL, I probably would've opted for that.

I think a bigger argument agaisnt downloads is 1) the added cost of a hard drive to store them (especially when you get to the full sized games), 2) the lack of a manual and 3) no trade in value on downloads.

I know quite a few dedicated gamers who don't download that many games, because they dont' feel like wasting money on a hard-drive. And that's the over-riding reason, plus the trade-in value of discs.

For the 360, retailers should thank MSFT for making the hard drives propriatery and super expensive, as it keeps a large number of gamers hooked to retailers, as nobody wants to pay MSFT ridiculous price on its 60 gig or 120 gig drives.

I have paid for the 120 gig drive, because I can afford it, but most can and most simply don't even trie demos, movies or anything else, as the hard-drive on the 360 is cost-prohibitive.

I know the PS3 can use any drive you choose, but even at bottom barrell prices, it still cost money.

So in my humble opinion, online gaming will be restricted (for a tiny while) by the cost of extra storage. I have seen this to be true across my gaming friends and I know a boatload of all ages, sex and income types. Gamers want to play...paying for a hard-drive is simply an unwanted hassle at the current prices. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/158169-marketingvox-are-gamers-dropping-consoles-for-online-gaming?source=feed#comment-645602 645602 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:49:12 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/156458-tiger-woods-10-for-wii-an-electronic-arts-epiphany?source=feed#comment-640507 640507
I love Tiger Woods Wii, it is brilliant...but let's not forget who came out with the Wii and with Wii Motion Plus...as good as Tiger is, Wii Sports Resorts BLOWS IT AWAY...and I love Tiger on the Wii.

Just sayin'...EA simply finally figured out how to use the Wii correctly, with this and with the Wii Fit competitor they have...but all they're doing is riding a much bigger company's coatails, so let's not spluge in our pants just yet for EA...good progress following someone else's lead, but how about some profitability?]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:27:51 -0400
I love Tiger Woods Wii, it is brilliant...but let's not forget who came out with the Wii and with Wii Motion Plus...as good as Tiger is, Wii Sports Resorts BLOWS IT AWAY...and I love Tiger on the Wii.

Just sayin'...EA simply finally figured out how to use the Wii correctly, with this and with the Wii Fit competitor they have...but all they're doing is riding a much bigger company's coatails, so let's not spluge in our pants just yet for EA...good progress following someone else's lead, but how about some profitability?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/153081-sony-s-ps3-slim-what-has-the-company-achieved?source=feed#comment-613167 613167
I'm just saying, its as grainy & fumbly as all internet videos for sasquatch. ]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:50:48 -0400
I'm just saying, its as grainy & fumbly as all internet videos for sasquatch. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/152135-nintendo-ds-getting-killed-off-by-game-theft?source=feed#comment-606911 606911
I however, do not copy 360 or Wii games, although I easily could...but I like them, so I pay for them outright. The DS? Nope, I rarely play it and therefore, no money is lost on me getting it for free as I would've never spent a dime on most games.

So there's a point to be made about this...if anything, copying DS games has had me recommend certain games to my father and little brother, who do have a DSi and went out and bougth the games I recommended as they don't have time to mess with those downloads or getting the chip required to play tem. So without me getting them for free (and again, I would never had laid out a dime to buy them, so no loss of sales on my account), my dad would never have bought certain DS games.

And I loved GTA: Chinatown so much, I went out and bought the real thing.

Same with music...I have copied MP3s of a billion tunes that I never would've bought normally, at any price. But after having free MP3s of certain artists that I really liked, I went out and bought actual albums and that's happened quite a bit on the music side.

So its not truly lost sales on every account, as again, I wouldn't have bougth any of the DS games or those MP3s at any price...for free, I'll give them a shot and if I like them, I'll recommend them or buy them next time myself.

I'm not sure how often this happens, but for sure...free things lead to money made at least for some customers.

Just because we take something for free, doesn't mean we would've spent any money on it if we couldn't get it for free. ]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:19:13 -0400
I however, do not copy 360 or Wii games, although I easily could...but I like them, so I pay for them outright. The DS? Nope, I rarely play it and therefore, no money is lost on me getting it for free as I would've never spent a dime on most games.

So there's a point to be made about this...if anything, copying DS games has had me recommend certain games to my father and little brother, who do have a DSi and went out and bougth the games I recommended as they don't have time to mess with those downloads or getting the chip required to play tem. So without me getting them for free (and again, I would never had laid out a dime to buy them, so no loss of sales on my account), my dad would never have bought certain DS games.

And I loved GTA: Chinatown so much, I went out and bought the real thing.

Same with music...I have copied MP3s of a billion tunes that I never would've bought normally, at any price. But after having free MP3s of certain artists that I really liked, I went out and bought actual albums and that's happened quite a bit on the music side.

So its not truly lost sales on every account, as again, I wouldn't have bougth any of the DS games or those MP3s at any price...for free, I'll give them a shot and if I like them, I'll recommend them or buy them next time myself.

I'm not sure how often this happens, but for sure...free things lead to money made at least for some customers.

Just because we take something for free, doesn't mean we would've spent any money on it if we couldn't get it for free. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/152134-activision-s-modern-warfare-2-and-console-game-pricing?source=feed#comment-606744 606744
By the way, has Activision thought about what may happen if someone, say under 18, uses those nightvision goggles at school? Perhaps to commit a crime? Spy in a dark gym? Scope out someone at night? I'm just sayin....there's some bad publicity waiting to happen there given the audience who may buy this. This is one of the few add-on premium packages that actually has an add-on that works in the real world, so I wouldn't be surprised if some kid, somewhere, decides to scope out his neighbors at night with that night vision and cap 'em with a bee-bee gun or something similar or quite frankly, worse. Not ATVI's fault if it does happen, but you know how the media spins this stuff.

I know this wasn't the point of the column, but I would say Wii Sports is the defining game of this generation, as it kicked off motion gaming, which is where clearly the future of the industry is.

Call of Duty is a great shooter, loved COD4, but it is JUST another shooter. If that's the defining game of this era, its sad...I would hope we'd make bigger leaps & bounds as an industry than just changing the scenario of shooters and that's why I beleive in the long run Wii Sports will stand out much more than any COD.

It'll be interesting to see how the sale do, but given what I'm seeing so far, especially the discounting of games almost one week after they are released and sometimes, upon release, I foresee Modern Warfare doing gangbusters out the door, but without a price drop on the 360 or PS3, I foresee it tale-sales dragging behind.

And god-forbid the game isn't a 9 or 10, it could happen...then sales will taper off even more. The retail environment is much too tough currently and will only get worse, that I do not see this game in the long run living up to its giant sales hype.

A price cut in console prices and then it maybe different.
]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:25:46 -0400
By the way, has Activision thought about what may happen if someone, say under 18, uses those nightvision goggles at school? Perhaps to commit a crime? Spy in a dark gym? Scope out someone at night? I'm just sayin....there's some bad publicity waiting to happen there given the audience who may buy this. This is one of the few add-on premium packages that actually has an add-on that works in the real world, so I wouldn't be surprised if some kid, somewhere, decides to scope out his neighbors at night with that night vision and cap 'em with a bee-bee gun or something similar or quite frankly, worse. Not ATVI's fault if it does happen, but you know how the media spins this stuff.

I know this wasn't the point of the column, but I would say Wii Sports is the defining game of this generation, as it kicked off motion gaming, which is where clearly the future of the industry is.

Call of Duty is a great shooter, loved COD4, but it is JUST another shooter. If that's the defining game of this era, its sad...I would hope we'd make bigger leaps & bounds as an industry than just changing the scenario of shooters and that's why I beleive in the long run Wii Sports will stand out much more than any COD.

It'll be interesting to see how the sale do, but given what I'm seeing so far, especially the discounting of games almost one week after they are released and sometimes, upon release, I foresee Modern Warfare doing gangbusters out the door, but without a price drop on the 360 or PS3, I foresee it tale-sales dragging behind.

And god-forbid the game isn't a 9 or 10, it could happen...then sales will taper off even more. The retail environment is much too tough currently and will only get worse, that I do not see this game in the long run living up to its giant sales hype.

A price cut in console prices and then it maybe different.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/143272-are-microsoft-and-sony-closing-in-on-nintendo?source=feed#comment-547965 547965
P-R-I-C-E.

Same goes for the DS over the PSP.

The Wiimote will win out over this no-dout cool looking camera, for the exact same reason. And...isn't it more realistic to box, play tennis or drive...with a tennis racquet, steering wheel or gloves?

Just sayin'. How come no ones talked about that? Holding a joystick does make certain games more realistic...good luck with Tiger Woods Golf, for example...not everyon owns a golf club, skateboard or apparently, a steering wheel to "scan" into this item, as the movie suggested. ]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:30:43 -0400
P-R-I-C-E.

Same goes for the DS over the PSP.

The Wiimote will win out over this no-dout cool looking camera, for the exact same reason. And...isn't it more realistic to box, play tennis or drive...with a tennis racquet, steering wheel or gloves?

Just sayin'. How come no ones talked about that? Holding a joystick does make certain games more realistic...good luck with Tiger Woods Golf, for example...not everyon owns a golf club, skateboard or apparently, a steering wheel to "scan" into this item, as the movie suggested. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/143272-are-microsoft-and-sony-closing-in-on-nintendo?source=feed#comment-547960 547960
I beleive it is because Wall Street analysts make a ton of dough and simply fail to understand that for the average person or household, a $200 attachment to an already pricey console simply isn't excitting.

If I were you, I'd look back to see what these so called experts thought of the Wii out the gate vs. the PS3, as the over-riding sentiment on Wall Street was the PS3 was going to run all over the 360 & the Wii. I beleive the key factor in their terrible analysis is the fact that either they don't play games or they get them for free or they make so much money, it might as well be free.

So I disagree...I can tell you my survey of young & old gamers has shown no great interest in this due to the cost, the bad reputation MSFT has in putting out a weak product in the 1st gen and the simply fact that many already own a Wii and even with a camera, it didn't look that impressive.

So until I hear its $199 with two free games and one year free of Xbox Live...this product is dead in the water. It'll have a few users ready to grab it out the gate, but unless things change radically as to its price and offering, it won't have many users due to the pink elephant in the room all videogame analysts seem to forget about (until weak sales show up)...THE PRICE, on top of the price for an Xbox, Xbox Live subscription, WIFI antenna and of course, the dreaded RRoD.
]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:26:15 -0400
I beleive it is because Wall Street analysts make a ton of dough and simply fail to understand that for the average person or household, a $200 attachment to an already pricey console simply isn't excitting.

If I were you, I'd look back to see what these so called experts thought of the Wii out the gate vs. the PS3, as the over-riding sentiment on Wall Street was the PS3 was going to run all over the 360 & the Wii. I beleive the key factor in their terrible analysis is the fact that either they don't play games or they get them for free or they make so much money, it might as well be free.

So I disagree...I can tell you my survey of young & old gamers has shown no great interest in this due to the cost, the bad reputation MSFT has in putting out a weak product in the 1st gen and the simply fact that many already own a Wii and even with a camera, it didn't look that impressive.

So until I hear its $199 with two free games and one year free of Xbox Live...this product is dead in the water. It'll have a few users ready to grab it out the gate, but unless things change radically as to its price and offering, it won't have many users due to the pink elephant in the room all videogame analysts seem to forget about (until weak sales show up)...THE PRICE, on top of the price for an Xbox, Xbox Live subscription, WIFI antenna and of course, the dreaded RRoD.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/140101-thq-s-online-role-playing-studio-sold-amid-pressing-financial-troubles?source=feed#comment-539544 539544
I also do beleive on a sales standpoing that its UFC game as well as the new Red Faction game, will do much better than anticipated, given the good reviews and interest they are generating.]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:06:00 -0400
I also do beleive on a sales standpoing that its UFC game as well as the new Red Faction game, will do much better than anticipated, given the good reviews and interest they are generating.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/140937-microsoft-xbox-natal-a-leap-forward-in-gaming?source=feed#comment-532592 532592 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:03:03 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/140937-microsoft-xbox-natal-a-leap-forward-in-gaming?source=feed#comment-532589 532589
I may pick it up as I've got money to burn and I love gaming, but other than me, who's apparently in a very small category who owns a Wii & 360, most of the remaining audience falls on one side of the tracks and either owns a Wii or wouldn't be interested in a motion capture camera...people tend to forget that the hard core gamers usually sit on a couch and don't move...it'll be hard to break those gamers out of their habits and disdain for physical activity. IE- know any hard core gamers that play Gears, Halo or COD4 and also own Wii Fit? I don't and I know quite a few gamers.


On Jun 02 11:46 PM melante wrote:

> To Gaucho420:
> no, this is not "too little, too late" but, on the contrary, "too
> much, too early"! If it really works as shown, this will be amazing
> and opening countless new possibilities. Anyway, as long as I don't
> see and try it personally, I'll remain a little doubtful on its real
> robustness and effectiveness.]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:01:01 -0400
I may pick it up as I've got money to burn and I love gaming, but other than me, who's apparently in a very small category who owns a Wii & 360, most of the remaining audience falls on one side of the tracks and either owns a Wii or wouldn't be interested in a motion capture camera...people tend to forget that the hard core gamers usually sit on a couch and don't move...it'll be hard to break those gamers out of their habits and disdain for physical activity. IE- know any hard core gamers that play Gears, Halo or COD4 and also own Wii Fit? I don't and I know quite a few gamers.


On Jun 02 11:46 PM melante wrote:

> To Gaucho420:
> no, this is not "too little, too late" but, on the contrary, "too
> much, too early"! If it really works as shown, this will be amazing
> and opening countless new possibilities. Anyway, as long as I don't
> see and try it personally, I'll remain a little doubtful on its real
> robustness and effectiveness.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/141049-game-over-for-gamestop?source=feed#comment-532539 532539
GME's best days are far behind it. ]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:49:48 -0400
GME's best days are far behind it. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/141049-game-over-for-gamestop?source=feed#comment-532533 532533 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:47:21 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/141135-nintendo-s-in-poor-position-amongst-competitors?source=feed#comment-530332 530332
Perhaps in another language, you will understand...Cest le prix!!!!

So until we all grow money trees, price will always be the top decision maker at this price level...the TurboGraphx16, NeoGeo, and now PS3 are all superb points of videogame history that show that price trumps over top tech, nearly all the time.

So while the motion conrol camera is cool, its price certainly isn't and while the PS3 has Blue-Ray, its price is absolutly ridiculous.

Let's no forget the sting of the 360 failing 2-3 years into its life as another sting that current 360 owners may avoid and probably feel a bit gipped about.

So while I agree that if was a brand new launch, Nintendo would be in trouble (if MSFT and SNE priced it right)...but with the Wii already sold in 50 million homes, with the 360 being way too expensive when you add in Xbox Live, the WIFI antenna, extra controllers, etc...and with the PS3 already an utter failure...I beleive Nintendo will still be ahead, as I don't see mom & pops who already own a Wii going out and spending nearly $500 on a 360, only to then hear little timmy's contact use the N word, call Jews terrible names, and be as racist as racist can be...for $500. Hearing ethic disparities over Xbox Live gets pretty old, folks...I'm going on over 3 years of it now and I simply hate getting on there and having to put up with that crap after putting in a hard days work...I certainly wouldn't want my kids exposed to it.

Tech isn't the only thing that goes into a consumer's decision! You'd all be much wiser remembering this, we don't live in a tech vacuum where price, culture of the entertainment and perceived value suddenly disappear due to a fancy camera.
]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:32:30 -0400
Perhaps in another language, you will understand...Cest le prix!!!!

So until we all grow money trees, price will always be the top decision maker at this price level...the TurboGraphx16, NeoGeo, and now PS3 are all superb points of videogame history that show that price trumps over top tech, nearly all the time.

So while the motion conrol camera is cool, its price certainly isn't and while the PS3 has Blue-Ray, its price is absolutly ridiculous.

Let's no forget the sting of the 360 failing 2-3 years into its life as another sting that current 360 owners may avoid and probably feel a bit gipped about.

So while I agree that if was a brand new launch, Nintendo would be in trouble (if MSFT and SNE priced it right)...but with the Wii already sold in 50 million homes, with the 360 being way too expensive when you add in Xbox Live, the WIFI antenna, extra controllers, etc...and with the PS3 already an utter failure...I beleive Nintendo will still be ahead, as I don't see mom & pops who already own a Wii going out and spending nearly $500 on a 360, only to then hear little timmy's contact use the N word, call Jews terrible names, and be as racist as racist can be...for $500. Hearing ethic disparities over Xbox Live gets pretty old, folks...I'm going on over 3 years of it now and I simply hate getting on there and having to put up with that crap after putting in a hard days work...I certainly wouldn't want my kids exposed to it.

Tech isn't the only thing that goes into a consumer's decision! You'd all be much wiser remembering this, we don't live in a tech vacuum where price, culture of the entertainment and perceived value suddenly disappear due to a fancy camera.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/140937-microsoft-xbox-natal-a-leap-forward-in-gaming?source=feed#comment-528714 528714
So a 360 is $299...this add on is $600 at retail right now and most beleive it will be $200 when it comes out. Xbox Live is $50/year. So combined, that's $550. What about a game for this peripheral?

I beleive this is too little, too late...given how many PS2 units still sell, suggesting many households are not that impressed with the Wii/360/PS3 and the fact that so many mom & pop households have a Wii already, meaning they'll need to invest in a new system all together to enjoy this new type of gaming??? I don't see the typical Wii crowd re-investing yet again on a new system...I see this launch by MSFT to be very cool indeed, but to be limited in success by its price and the fact that most Wii households already own a Wii and will not dish out yet more money for another console and its game...there's no way this will happen.

So I disagree completly with your analysis...its easy to say this is going to be a big hit when your a techy & where price simply has no weight on your tech decisions, as tech is your life, but 90% of the country considers price first and foremost, the success of the PS2/Wii/DS over the PS3/360/PSP shows that technology just doesn't matter as much at this particular price range.

So very cool, but unless the 360 and the peripheral combined sells for $250 or less, it'll be dead in the water, as the existing hardcores on the 360 don't exactly get up off the couch much and will not go out and buy this in droves. Analysis has shown that barely any households have both a 360/PS3 & Wii and I expect this to continue. I own both and enjoy them both, but I am a rare hard-core gamer and most of my 360 friends don't like the Wii much outside of get-together parties...so no, I don't see this having much success, at all. In fact, no one 360 gamer I know and I know quite a few, females, males all ages...is very much interested in this at all. In fact, I'd say its turn them off more than anything.

Its the wrong product, at the wrong price, on the wrong system and its late 2010 date really does shoot it in the foot even more, as that's more Wii households who'll never upgrade to this product.

Additionaly, my small survey of gamers also suggest all 360 gamers are very apprehensive about this add-on, given that most have had their 360s die once, including one person I know who's had his die three times and is now weighing going to the Wii, due solely to the poor reliability of the 360 and its high costs. And finallly, I will state most are very weary of anything MSFT puts out as 1st gen, as let's face it...its always a work in progress.

So outside of the gaming techies who make this their life...in the real world, in Los Angeles, with hard-cores...the reception is chilly and apprehensive, as we're all waiting to see just how MSFT will F'd it up and $200 additional to spend on the 360, when most of us already spent $90 on a WIFI antenna...is a bit much to swallow.

So no...cool tech, wrong console, wrong audience, wrong timing and wrong price.
]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:43:43 -0400
So a 360 is $299...this add on is $600 at retail right now and most beleive it will be $200 when it comes out. Xbox Live is $50/year. So combined, that's $550. What about a game for this peripheral?

I beleive this is too little, too late...given how many PS2 units still sell, suggesting many households are not that impressed with the Wii/360/PS3 and the fact that so many mom & pop households have a Wii already, meaning they'll need to invest in a new system all together to enjoy this new type of gaming??? I don't see the typical Wii crowd re-investing yet again on a new system...I see this launch by MSFT to be very cool indeed, but to be limited in success by its price and the fact that most Wii households already own a Wii and will not dish out yet more money for another console and its game...there's no way this will happen.

So I disagree completly with your analysis...its easy to say this is going to be a big hit when your a techy & where price simply has no weight on your tech decisions, as tech is your life, but 90% of the country considers price first and foremost, the success of the PS2/Wii/DS over the PS3/360/PSP shows that technology just doesn't matter as much at this particular price range.

So very cool, but unless the 360 and the peripheral combined sells for $250 or less, it'll be dead in the water, as the existing hardcores on the 360 don't exactly get up off the couch much and will not go out and buy this in droves. Analysis has shown that barely any households have both a 360/PS3 & Wii and I expect this to continue. I own both and enjoy them both, but I am a rare hard-core gamer and most of my 360 friends don't like the Wii much outside of get-together parties...so no, I don't see this having much success, at all. In fact, no one 360 gamer I know and I know quite a few, females, males all ages...is very much interested in this at all. In fact, I'd say its turn them off more than anything.

Its the wrong product, at the wrong price, on the wrong system and its late 2010 date really does shoot it in the foot even more, as that's more Wii households who'll never upgrade to this product.

Additionaly, my small survey of gamers also suggest all 360 gamers are very apprehensive about this add-on, given that most have had their 360s die once, including one person I know who's had his die three times and is now weighing going to the Wii, due solely to the poor reliability of the 360 and its high costs. And finallly, I will state most are very weary of anything MSFT puts out as 1st gen, as let's face it...its always a work in progress.

So outside of the gaming techies who make this their life...in the real world, in Los Angeles, with hard-cores...the reception is chilly and apprehensive, as we're all waiting to see just how MSFT will F'd it up and $200 additional to spend on the 360, when most of us already spent $90 on a WIFI antenna...is a bit much to swallow.

So no...cool tech, wrong console, wrong audience, wrong timing and wrong price.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/139697-take-two-cuts-fy-view-delays-red-dead?source=feed#comment-518817 518817
I do wish the various posters on the blogs wouldn't simply cut & paste what they just put up on the WSJ tech blog though.

I imagine the stock didn't fall due to the buyout rumors. I must say that if TTWO can put out a new GTA, Red Dead Revolver and Mafia II in the same year...that could be a very big year for TTWO...or whoever buys them.

So the price of this stock could be ripe for those with a bit of patience.
]]> Tue, 26 May 2009 19:37:35 -0400
I do wish the various posters on the blogs wouldn't simply cut & paste what they just put up on the WSJ tech blog though.

I imagine the stock didn't fall due to the buyout rumors. I must say that if TTWO can put out a new GTA, Red Dead Revolver and Mafia II in the same year...that could be a very big year for TTWO...or whoever buys them.

So the price of this stock could be ripe for those with a bit of patience.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/138951-uranium-mining-5-investment-opportunities?source=feed#comment-513531 513531
Entry point for USU is below $5.

I'm not sure why this isn't mentioned in the article....USU was actually part of the DOE until the government privatized them, so given the existing contacts and relationships, one would think they'll get the loan.

I like CCJ as well and it still has room to grow. I'm long on both, but I own just USU at this point.

]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 17:23:00 -0400
Entry point for USU is below $5.

I'm not sure why this isn't mentioned in the article....USU was actually part of the DOE until the government privatized them, so given the existing contacts and relationships, one would think they'll get the loan.

I like CCJ as well and it still has room to grow. I'm long on both, but I own just USU at this point.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/133615-20-gta-chinatown-wars-is-a-problem-for-take-two?source=feed#comment-481453 481453
Given that the director of Pirates of the Carribbean is directing it...to me its a big loss. TTWO went out of their way to state they had set up this arrangement as a big money making endeavor in the future, although no profits were scheduled as part of guidance.

Losing a movie for a B popularity hard-core game is a very big deal and I for one hope they bring it back soon.

GTA: Chinatown Wars, I didn't expect much from...but a profitable movie tie in, with what was to be a blockbuster movie with a huge budget...that's a big loss, all around.

Its thinking past Bioshock the game and thinking into Bioschock the franchise...I'm not so sure Bioshock is a solid franchise at this point...I don't even think it sold very much on the PS3 at this point...did it even chart? ]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:26:28 -0400
Given that the director of Pirates of the Carribbean is directing it...to me its a big loss. TTWO went out of their way to state they had set up this arrangement as a big money making endeavor in the future, although no profits were scheduled as part of guidance.

Losing a movie for a B popularity hard-core game is a very big deal and I for one hope they bring it back soon.

GTA: Chinatown Wars, I didn't expect much from...but a profitable movie tie in, with what was to be a blockbuster movie with a huge budget...that's a big loss, all around.

Its thinking past Bioshock the game and thinking into Bioschock the franchise...I'm not so sure Bioshock is a solid franchise at this point...I don't even think it sold very much on the PS3 at this point...did it even chart? ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/133615-20-gta-chinatown-wars-is-a-problem-for-take-two?source=feed#comment-480996 480996
Nice, but obvious column to an obvious outcome.

Shouldn't the writer be more concerned with the cancellation of Bioschock, the movie? Here's some inside info on that...the $160 million quoted budget is being minimized, it was actually much, much higher...SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER. So the studio got cold feet, as an unknown property, a Rated R property in this market maybe a huge gamble.

But the postponning of that movie is much more important than GTA Chinatown Wars, which is important on its own...but not like a huge promo to TTWO in movie form being cancelled. This could've put Bioschock in the huge game category, as my inside sources tell me the movie was looking damng good...they spared no expense and hence, it got postponned.

Too bad. ]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:52:29 -0400
Nice, but obvious column to an obvious outcome.

Shouldn't the writer be more concerned with the cancellation of Bioschock, the movie? Here's some inside info on that...the $160 million quoted budget is being minimized, it was actually much, much higher...SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER. So the studio got cold feet, as an unknown property, a Rated R property in this market maybe a huge gamble.

But the postponning of that movie is much more important than GTA Chinatown Wars, which is important on its own...but not like a huge promo to TTWO in movie form being cancelled. This could've put Bioschock in the huge game category, as my inside sources tell me the movie was looking damng good...they spared no expense and hence, it got postponned.

Too bad. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/127780-will-onlive-kill-the-console-gaming-business?source=feed#comment-441600 441600
Reggie-Fils-Aimee at Nintendo. Again...why invest in a shrinking pie that now will have THREE competitors fighting for it...Onlive will have zero effect on the Wii market as Nintendo will never release its games for it and a Wii mote is no-where in site. Hence, game over as an investment...the bigger pie is elswhere.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:05:40 -0400
Reggie-Fils-Aimee at Nintendo. Again...why invest in a shrinking pie that now will have THREE competitors fighting for it...Onlive will have zero effect on the Wii market as Nintendo will never release its games for it and a Wii mote is no-where in site. Hence, game over as an investment...the bigger pie is elswhere.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/127780-will-onlive-kill-the-console-gaming-business?source=feed#comment-440029 440029
As an investor, why would anyone invest in a technology aimed at the old way of doing business? Its great & all, but besides the very obvious technical difficulties of assuming someone's computer at home will be capable (well DUH!, that's obvious), the bottom line is growth in the videogame world is fueled solely by Nintendo, the Wii and the DS. Had Nintendo not come out with the Wii, this column wouldn't exist as the industry would be shrinking or be flat in size.

So again, who cares? I'm more interested as to WHOM exactly will step up first to challenge the Wii, as that's where the Dollars are.

I have a PC, a 360, A Wii and I game all the time and have for decades...however, I'm not going to let my gaming tastes affect what I invest in and to me, the hardcore market is flat outside of accessory spending and the fact the hard-core have grown up and can afford more items...but the amount of hard core gamers out there is less than before.

The sales of the 360/PS3 don't even come close to the PS2, even combined...but the Wii outsells the 360/PS3 combined, every single month and the top sellers are mostly DS/Wii games.

Invest in the Otakus if you'd like...I'll choose the mass market and the publishers who address that need. ]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:09:29 -0400
As an investor, why would anyone invest in a technology aimed at the old way of doing business? Its great & all, but besides the very obvious technical difficulties of assuming someone's computer at home will be capable (well DUH!, that's obvious), the bottom line is growth in the videogame world is fueled solely by Nintendo, the Wii and the DS. Had Nintendo not come out with the Wii, this column wouldn't exist as the industry would be shrinking or be flat in size.

So again, who cares? I'm more interested as to WHOM exactly will step up first to challenge the Wii, as that's where the Dollars are.

I have a PC, a 360, A Wii and I game all the time and have for decades...however, I'm not going to let my gaming tastes affect what I invest in and to me, the hardcore market is flat outside of accessory spending and the fact the hard-core have grown up and can afford more items...but the amount of hard core gamers out there is less than before.

The sales of the 360/PS3 don't even come close to the PS2, even combined...but the Wii outsells the 360/PS3 combined, every single month and the top sellers are mostly DS/Wii games.

Invest in the Otakus if you'd like...I'll choose the mass market and the publishers who address that need. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/127780-will-onlive-kill-the-console-gaming-business?source=feed#comment-439678 439678
Once again, the genius of Nintendo, at least in this generation...shines on. Their product, which is completly exclusive to them, the Wii, will look even more exclusive now that you can get GTAIV on a download service. Its not like a motion controlled wand, coupled with the QUALITY of Nintendo is coming out anytime soon for a PC.

And the family market will never sit in front of a 20 inch computer monitor to do family gaming...only the existing hard cores will. So to me, Onlive is cool...but no game changer as the game changing is the Wii, DS and family gaming.

Too bad, so sad for Sony and MSFT...for everyone else, consumers included, this should make the other products cheaper and more competitive. ]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:40:00 -0400
Once again, the genius of Nintendo, at least in this generation...shines on. Their product, which is completly exclusive to them, the Wii, will look even more exclusive now that you can get GTAIV on a download service. Its not like a motion controlled wand, coupled with the QUALITY of Nintendo is coming out anytime soon for a PC.

And the family market will never sit in front of a 20 inch computer monitor to do family gaming...only the existing hard cores will. So to me, Onlive is cool...but no game changer as the game changing is the Wii, DS and family gaming.

Too bad, so sad for Sony and MSFT...for everyone else, consumers included, this should make the other products cheaper and more competitive. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/122045-nintendo-s-wii-a-must-have-appliance?source=feed#comment-402179 402179
As a side note, the videogame reviewers are all hard-core gamers who completly miss the boat on the Wii and their reviews are worthless, for the most part. I beleive these "critics" are actually angry males who cannot understand or fathom that good ol' Nintendo beat the pants of their companies by doing the most obvious of things and include everyone in the fun.

Good for Nintendo and great for the industry. ]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:16:52 -0500
As a side note, the videogame reviewers are all hard-core gamers who completly miss the boat on the Wii and their reviews are worthless, for the most part. I beleive these "critics" are actually angry males who cannot understand or fathom that good ol' Nintendo beat the pants of their companies by doing the most obvious of things and include everyone in the fun.

Good for Nintendo and great for the industry. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/122268-take-two-s-new-distribution-arm-could-be-just-what-investors-called-for?source=feed#comment-402026 402026
As an FYI, Sony strongly hinted last year that the downloadable episosdes (Lost & Damned is the first, another is coming later this year) will also be available to download on the PS3 eventually, further adding to potential customers. ]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:16:44 -0500
As an FYI, Sony strongly hinted last year that the downloadable episosdes (Lost & Damned is the first, another is coming later this year) will also be available to download on the PS3 eventually, further adding to potential customers. ]]>