This week we'll see the much anticipated Halo3 released, and it leads to the question, will this cause a drop in High Definition title sales? There seems to be a lot of talk about this on both sides of the issue, some saying people can play games and watch movies, others saying that gamer's budgets are limited and they must choose. What do you think?

Absolutely. Not just in funds, but in free time.
Of course this only applies if your console of choice actually has games worth playing. So perhaps HD DVD titles may see a sales drop but Blu-Ray will be just fine? ;)

Absolutely. Not just in funds, but in free time.


I can certainly agree with this. As a gamer and a movie lover, there often aren't enough hours in the day to consume content. Halo 3 certainly isn't going to help in that regard :D

I think they definitely do. I mean, they're both just forms of entertainment. I can't speak for anyone else, but I notice that when I'm into gaming on that particular week/month/whatever, I'll be browsing IGN and gaming websites a lot more, going to EB Games instead of Circuit City, etc. When I'm in a gaming 'lull' (when there's no releases that interest me around that time and all the games I have are played out), that's when I start heading up to CC to check out the HDM selection, browsing this forum, refreshing the Digital Bits, etc.

Absolutely. Not just in funds, but in free time.
Of course this only applies if your console of choice actually has games worth playing. So perhaps HD DVD titles may see a sales drop but Blu-Ray will be just fine? ;)

Completely Agreed

I just spent $59.99 + Tax on Halo 3 when I could of spent it on Heroes: Season 1

HD DVD titles might go down a bit, I'm one of the people who has a list of games to buy and a list of movies to buy, and I don't have unlimited money.

Both sides will see a drop a lot of PS3 owners also have 360 as well. Its a huge release this week will be a little off.

As a gamer and HDM fan, no. I have different budgets allocated to each of my hobbies and these are distinct.

As a gamer and HDM fan, no. I have different budgets allocated to each of my hobbies and these are distinct.

So you never reach a point where the budget limit of one has been reached and justifies a re-allocation or a choice ?

I'm one of the people who has a list of games to buy and a list of movies to buy, and I don't have unlimited money.

same here. Halo 3 today meant that I did not have the funds to buy knocked up.

Luckily I have netflix and gamefly, so I only need to purchase must have games and movies that I know I will get long term enjoyment out of.

At the end of the day, all consumer entertainment items compete with each other.

But the demographics of some of the buyers are different, so there is some overlap, but also some consumers who will buy one or the other.

For instance, video game owners, *may* buy less movies, on the whole that those HDM player owners who do not own a video game.

I have been buying movies and games for years and found they really do not compete for my dollars. I know in advance what movies and games are coming out and plan accordingly. This myth (I hear it all the time around here and other sites) that nobody will buy Blu-Ray movies for the PS3 when good games come out is ridiculous. That is like saying "Transformers" on HD DVD will not sell well to add-on owners since "Halo3" is out now. I just don't buy it. People will simply adjust their spending in other areas like eating out and going to the movies, etc.

At the end of the day, all consumer entertainment items compete with each other.



+1

I have been buying movies and games for years and found they really do not compete for my dollars. I know in advance what movies and games are coming out and plan accordingly. This myth (I hear it all the time around here and other sites) that nobody will buy Blu-Ray movies for the PS3 when good games come out is ridiculous. That is like saying "Transformers" on HD DVD will not sell well to add-on owners since "Halo3" is out now. I just don't buy it. People will simply adjust their spending in other areas like eating out and going to the movies, etc.

It's not a myth if it's at least somewhat true.
I picked up 5 HD DVD's in August...and zero since buying Bioshock and NHL 08for 360 since the beginning of the month. I don't have the time or the funds for movies right now. I'm not even getting Halo 3 yet.

That being said...NFL football season cramps my HDM buying just as much as videogames might because I watch football on Sundays, not movies. Plus the fall TV season is here, so my DVR will be filling up pretty quickly too.

Sometimes it's more about the free time than the money for me, but it impacts my HDM purchases just the same. So like others said, ALL forms of home entertainment are in competition for my free time/discretionary income.

And for the record...my eating out/boozing budget is a fixed cost...there will be no adjustment for movies or games!!! :D

For me personally, no. I have bought one pc game and one psp game in the last two years.

It's not a myth if it's at least somewhat true.
I picked up 5 HD DVD's in August...and zero since buying Bioshock and NHL 08for 360 since the beginning of the month. I don't have the time or the funds for movies right now. I'm not even getting Halo 3 yet.

That being said...NFL football season cramps my HDM buying just as much as videogames might because I watch football on Sundays, not movies. Plus the fall TV season is here, so my DVR will be filling up pretty quickly too.

Sometimes it's more about the free time than the money for me, but it impacts my HDM purchases just the same. So like others said, ALL forms of home entertainment are in competition for my free time/discretionary income.

And for the record...my eating out/boozing budget is a fixed cost...there will be no adjustment for movies or games!!! :D

I do agree with you that fall TV and football will cut into my movie watching (and forum surfing/posting) time :) That said, I still buy quite a few movies even if I do not know when I will get a chance to watch them. You just never know when you might have a sick day from work or some extra free time.

I notice that you are from Pittsburgh. Go Steelers!

I would answer the poll but I'm too busy playing Halo3! :)

..and no... if the stores would start stocking even a quarter of the available HD-DVD titles, I'd have bought a stack of those today too.

Common' Walmart... You keep making me put my wallet back in my pocket every time I go to your stores to spend my money!

At the end of the day, all consumer entertainment items compete with each other.

Agreed. When I used to be heavily into gaming (Dreamcast days) I never purchased movies. Now that I'm heavily into moives (HDDVD) I don't buy games.

For certain demographics yes. I am sure games compete with movies for folks watching high-def on PS3 and XBox 360 add-ons. However, for non-gamers like me, it's a non-issue.

Lately, I've bought fewer BDs and more PS3 games.

Completely Agreed

I just spent $59.99 + Tax on Halo 3 when I could of spent it on Heroes: Season 1

HD DVD titles might go down a bit, I'm one of the people who has a list of games to buy and a list of movies to buy, and I don't have unlimited money.

I think Michaels quote sums it up. Not everyone has enough money to divide into separate pots.

If a big movie or game comes out and I only have money for one (Good example above because I am in the same situation) I go with the one with the most re-play value and with the above I went with HALO 3 because I have played Halo 2 more hours than some of your first born. :D

For people on a budget Yes it will effect it as with two of the people on this very thread and I am positive we are not the only ones out there

I'm sure there's at least some crossover budgeting for most gamers/moviewatchers. For me, though, my HDM budget has eaten its share out of my theater budget, rather than my gaming budget. I have just as many games on order as I do movies, and the only thing that has dropped in the last year has been my trips to the box office.

C'mon you guys. Admit the fact you have a tiny TV set up in your theater room to play Halo 3 while an HD movie plays in the background, or vice versa, or using an HD video processor's PiP. :rolleyes: I would if I could. :o I do something similar with some TV shows and anime, watching that on the PJ while surfing the net with a notebook. Gets a little difficult with anime since I never watch with the English dub.

I have been spending a lot less money on HD DVDs since Madden, Bioshock, and Halo 3... At the same time there hasn't been any stellar releases since 300 for me

Completely Agreed

I just spent $59.99 + Tax on Halo 3 when I could of spent it on Heroes: Season 1
Heh. I bought Heroes: Season 1, but didn't get Halo 3. :)