http://abcnews.go.com/Business/GadgetGuide/Story?id=4767635&page=1
This post idea came from an unusual source: four hyperactive, technologically, somewhat annoying 12 and13 year old boys. My little brother's friends were over this weekend and raving about the latest internet sites, ipod advances, and video games. Grand Theft Auto IV was recently released, and I was informed that it was "Soooooo cooooooool!" I'll admit that a GTA fix every now and then is quite entertaining, but I wondered what the impact of fanatical middle school boys who were obsessed with the latest technology would have on the economy with the release of an anticipated new game.
After some research I came across an article that brought about a unique, but brilliant, point of view. The author is describing the intricate detailing of the GTA IV graphics, and how they are so realistic that it is almost like one is literally walking through the streets of NYC. He says that entering the shops and retail stores is almost like he is actually making a purchase. Soooo........why not utilize this in the business world? People have come to love online shopping and infomercials, so why not shop through an interactive game? With graphics being as realistic as they are, businesses could make virtual copies of their stores and products. As the "customer" (which, naturally, one would be allowed to customize to correlate with themselves) walks around the store, there could even be helpful sales people that when approached would offer information and advice about the product. Online shopping is nice, but often allows those low quality and incredibly boring 2D pictures with no opportunity to create an avatar. I believe a lot of people, especially young people, would become hooked on this new way of shopping if it was put in place.
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9 comments:
Oh dear, i'm quite sure that your right, interactive shopping would be a hit, i can see it now all the middle schoolers having interactive shopping sleep overs. and i'm sure that this idea will be put to action sooner. good good. the more we can get them to consume the better. the earlier we get them starting to consume the better. sarcastic of course.
Yay for a nationwide disconnect from human contact!
I think that this method of interactive shopping would definitely catch on, especially with youth, but at what cost?
The opportunity cost might be lower in some senses, considering how much time and money would have to be spent traveling to New York, for example, to go on a shopping spree. At the same time, though, how do you place a value on real human interaction? This method may be more convenient, but that's not alwasy the best solution.
I hate trying to assign values to such arbitrary concepts.
That is really weird. Just gotta say. It's astounding how much technology is advancing - and so quickly!
Haha, that is an interesting idea.
I personally, am not a big fan of shopping in general, but a 3-D shopping game may make it a little more fun. Especially if you put some cool stuff in there like when you make a good purchase, you get extra points so you can fly or something! yeah that'd be sweet.
New things like that always seem to HAVE A positive outcome, at least in the short run. I think that something like that would be a profitable invention, especially with the increasing reliance on technology, specifically computers, for everday functions
If you figure out how to make the flying part of the game be sure to let me know.
Joelle, too bad you let this secret out, or you probly could have had a billion dollar patent on this game! it's amazing to see how many people use technology to substitute for reality these days. My favorite example? Guitar Hero! I know of at least two friends that, if they took all their time spent on GH and actually learned to play guitar, they'd probably have a contract right now. Why not do it for real?
it is an interesting idear. and quite scary as well. it may be a bit tricky to advertise it. in gta, you have the appeal of stealing cars and running from the police... this would be a little less intense.
but figured that chunk out, and you'd have a hit.
God, thats a horrible idea. Its like facebook and myspace. "lets have digital friends instead of real ones!"... "lets have a fake box of frooty pebbles instead of a real bowl!". Sometimes I wish I was Amish because this technology stuff gets way too rediculous.
I love me some video games, and your little brothers are correct that GTA4 is definitely badass to the max. Now the thing you have to look at is that the market that has emerged in the somewhat recent past for personal video game consoles and fantastic game coming out creates what could almost be considered a perfectly competitive market. New companies form overnight and old ones can close within hours, one very big star characteristic of perfect competition. And the games are all priced according to the market, the company doesn't set the kind of money they want for a game, its either $60 or you go to hell.
As for the matter of this particular game she mentioned, it sold a record breaking 3.6 million copies the first day it was released meaning about $300 million in sales and after the first week it was over 6 million copies sold! That is well over what many of the firms will sell in the first six months of a new game. There is definitely a market that is here to stay as long as adolescent boys love stealing cars and blowing up police helicopters ;)
Oh for just a little more reinforcement, almost everyone has been busted trying to play some halo at school.
Svan - I don't necessarily think this is a great idea with all other things being considered, I just think that it would be a hit if it was actually introduced.
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