Be on the Look Out Aug21! Google and Universal Partner up to Fight iTunes

Just read off of Gizmodo.
Google will be teaming up with Universal Music to offer DRM free tracks at .99 cents. This will undercut iTunes on copy protection free tracks, and will give Universal access to Google's advertising might. Just image Google's adwords linking directly to a song at a buck. This could be the first real competition for iTunes, and will work across ALL music players (including the iPod).
I'm all for MORE competition. KEEP THE PRICES LOW!

Here's Gizmodo's write up.

Here's Forbes' story.

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How much does your game REALLY cost.

Ok, I get it that video game development budgets are getting insane. This new era of video gaming stands to be a very impressive race of "next-gen-now-current-gen" hardware (though I'm still rooting for Nintendo... call me old skool).

This article in Forbes tries to explain why games are so expensive.


Problem is, I don't buy it.


Take for instance this chunk here:
The remaining $59 per game goes into many hands. The biggest portion--nearly 45%--goes toward simply programming and designing the game itself. Then the console maker, retailer and marketers each get a cut.

OK 45% of the $60 game into the development costs, AND games are also where console manufacturers make back money through licensing, as the XBox and the PS3 are sold at a loss (GO NINTENDO! KEEP SELLING FOR A PROFIT!).

So, with games sales expected to reach almost $45 billion, are we really to believe that game development COSTS are expected to reach $21 BILLION?

This doesn't sound right.

Some one correct me if I'm reading this wrong.

Thanks.
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