My Idea of the Perfect Downloadable Games Store

I really only got to thinking about this because of a fairly negligible portion of the most recent episode of Podcast Unlocked, the newest podcast from IGN.com all about Xbox 360 news, games, and happenings, that promises to record weekly (instead of triannually). A large portion of the episode was about the members of the podcast discussing what they expect from the next Xbox, as well as what they would prefer out of the next Xbox, and one of the questions was about what they would like to see from the next XBLA type store. I don't remember them really speaking that much about it, but it inspired me, so my thanks to them.

Pricing
I feel a bit crazy every time I say it, but I think App Store game prices are generally too cheap. Actually I should feel crazy, because that's not really what I mean.

Reggie Fils-Aime Calls App Store Games "Risks" for the Industry

Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, commented on typically $0.99 App Store games, saying that most are a risk for the industry, that they give consumers the impression that video games are "disposable". He doesn't disagree with the idea that a game like Angry Birds is "underpriced", and would say that some App Store games are "overpriced" at their $1 or $2 price tags, an obvious jab at the quality of the games.

I really have to agree. I mean, I agreed before he even said it.I love saving money, but to me the price of much of the best stuff on the App Store is pushed far too low, or "underpriced".

Congressman Joe Baca (waka waka) Pushes for Warnings About Violence In Games

Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto, CA.) introduced a bill called "The Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2011" which proposes to place a health warning (like we do with cigarettes) such as

WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.

Either on the packaging or in the openings of games with some objective level of violence. Baca sites studies that have shown links between violent content and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers.

I honestly don't think something like this would pass, just because there are studies that show that there isn't a link between violent content in games and aggressive behavior as well, but if it did I would have to wonder why this warning isn't meant to be applied to all violent media. And, since this wouldn't affect my ability to play games or to let my future children play what I deem appropriate, it's isn't something I can get angry over.

What do you guys think about the situation?
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How Would You React to a Tax Hike on Video Games?

Nothing official yet, mind you, but there was a news article with a section that concerns video games and consumers of video games.

“At the centre of these discussions is the review that I’ve asked Cliona Kirby to undertake, which will look independently at how the games industry is effected by existing tax rules and if any changes could be made to improve access.” “We also talked about some of the excellent responses from the industry to the Government’s Growth Review; making sure that games is at the core of our thinking about how the creative industries can play a key role in our economic recovery.” - Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey

As one of biggest entertainment industries around, it makes sense that they would pay attention to the video games industry for taxing purposes. This isn't likely to turn out to be a good thing (i.e. - lower taxes for video games), and I've worried for a long time that currently tax free digital content (for some states) will be taxed eventually. But again, nothing is confirmed, or even rumored.

Back when there were discussions about applying laws to sales of M rated games to minors, I honestly didn't think the story deserved as much attention as it got. It seemed that the law was simply reinforcing a policy that many stores already enforce, and there was no danger to any games being censored or outlawed, as far as I heard. But this story seems like it might deserve attention and creative protesting where we send......receipts to our Culture Minister.

Let me know what you think or if you didn't get that reference at the end in the comments.

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