If you guys will forgive some more 'social network therapy' from my rants, but I have just been watching the post E3 coverage and see a interesting trend.

The use of the word 'franchise' and 'brand' has gone through the roof, with a link to monetization generation schemes being headlined - examples:

- collectible characters (miyamoto, etc...)
- achievement points and accreditations (trophies, etc...)
- e-distribution (steam)
- subscription services (casual games, etc...)
- adverts!

It looks as if the consumer publishers gambling on ways to sell less games but generating more money - and they hope that the players will not spot this.

Just think to be able to play with other on-line players you will have to buy a subscription, buy the game, buy the new peripherals and even buy-in trophies and achievements and corresponding 'downloads'!!!!

You see where I am going - pay-to-play already has a simple revenue model, it now seems that consumer is trying to adopt this model by stealth and greed, and if the players abandon it... then we have another dotcom bust-up!