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ColtLad t1_j0aq4ew wrote

Reply to comment by InfiniDrift in Is this a good idea? Make a video game console that comes with free mobile data but can only be used to purchase and download a video game? by THEY_CALL_ME_FACE

How many mobile console do you know of that can run COD?

Unlimited data plans are like $70/month. A major gaming firm could strike a major deal and secure this at a fraction of the cost due to economies of scale.

There are ways to limit data to one thing. Have you ever tried to log into those "free wifi" portals that direct you to their website and service agreement before allowing you free wifi?

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InfiniDrift t1_j0axpr4 wrote

If we're talking about a portable system like a Switch or something like that (which wasn't mentionned in the post so I went with home console for some reason), then sure, why not.

Strike a deal with a data provider? Sony could have done it with the PSVita when they were pushing 4G compatibility with it. Plus you would have to do a deal everywhere in the world, so let's say with Verizon in the US, Bouygues Telecom in France, Vodafone in Spain, etc... That would be a lot of deals to handle

Yes, I know how the free wi-fi thingy works. What I do know too is that consoles are always hacked one day or another, and I think that would affect that "free mobile data to download games" thingy the guy wants to push

By the way, same question as for the other digital systems: What happens when the maker or the data provider pulls the plug out of the project? Do you just have a piece of electronics laying there with like three games on it that you can't change since you wouldn't be able to download a game?

I mean the project can be interesting, but why would it be useful to have a system with a dedicated free data plan when nearly everyone who plays games has Wi-Fi in its home?

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ColtLad t1_j0aylu8 wrote

I don't think we're far off from starlink offering sat data unanimously. Big firms don't purchase data, they purchase bandwidth on already operational infrastructure. Sony already has dicisions in almost every country. If the product isn't compatible with a certain market, don't sell it there... you wouldn't open up a dog meat restaurant in down town Toronto would you?

The fact that wifi is already available at home makes it even better, more than half the downloads would likely just be off wifi, solving half the issue.

Idk why I am arguing for this dudes idea, I just thought it was creative and out of the box. Ideas like this are not impossible.

OP was asking if it would be a cool product to have if it were viable, not to build an entire business plan.... they ought offer us a spot on Shark tank 🤣

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