GURPS Basic Set 4E, Revised...?

[ericbsmith]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

The comparison seems totally off. Cell phones make money precisely because it is fashionable to buy the newest one every year or two. Follow-up stuff like accessories actually sell for very little.

Basic Model Cell Phones, at least in the US, are very often sold very cheaply or even given away by a Cell Company. The catch is that you have to sign an multi-year contract for Cell Service, usually with a big cancellation fee. Phone companies are always offering newer phones to people if they renew their contract.

So the phone itself becomes a loss leader, with the profit being made on the cell phone service itself. Sure you can buy the iPhone, or Galaxy, or whatever other expensive model it is that you want, but then you're not getting the "free" phone anymore.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by ericbsmith

Basic Model Cell Phones, at least in the US, are very often sold very cheaply or even given away by a Cell Company. The catch is that you have to sign an multi-year contract for Cell Service, usually with a big cancellation fee. Phone companies are always offering newer phones to people if they renew their contract.

So the phone itself becomes a loss leader, with the profit being made on the cell phone service itself. Sure you can buy the iPhone, or Galaxy, or whatever other expensive model it is that you want, but then you're not getting the "free" phone anymore.

That's some weird market you've got there. What do people do if they need 2-3 networks (not simultaneously) but only want one phone? What about people who jump networks due to roaming optimisation while travelling? Why don't people buy the phones they like and combine them with the sims they like? E.g. I went from Welcom to Life when it became more advantageous without buying a new phone, and at other times bought new phones without doing anything silly with my contract (my expiry date simply extends to a fixed period from 'now' each time I add any money to the account).

[dylan]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

That's some weird market you've got there. What do people do if they need 2-3 networks (not simultaneously) but only want one phone? What about people who jump networks due to roaming optimisation while travelling? Why don't people buy the phones they like and combine them with the sims they like? E.g. I went from Welcom to Life when it became more advantageous without buying a new phone, and at other times bought new phones without doing anything silly with my contract (my expiry date simply extends to a fixed period from 'now' each time I add any money to the account).

Because US law allows the phone companies to make the phones nontransferable. It's possible to "jaibreak" a phone to make it work on a different company's network but IIRC the law just changed to make that illegal. So you can keep your cell number when you switch companies but you have to get a new phone.

[Mathulhu]

The game does not need a new version or revision but there are some things that need to be done.

Some kind of compilation of all the rules, not a reprinting just a list of where to find useful rules. There are a lot of gems hidden in odd books.

That would go a long way towards helping the people who are overwhelmed by the number of optional rules.