Scott Stein

Rumors have been saying $429. I certainly can't be the $599 launch price of the PS3, which was disastrous. The Wii U was in the $300 range. The $400-$499 zone seems like the best bet.

no way. NY Pizza is Rocky. It comes back and wins (in the sequel).

The PS4 is a Vaio (awkward E3 2013 reveal)

It definitely looks like the PS4 is gunning to be like a PC, and the specs really are basically a PC. Blizzard coming aboard cements that feeling. But the PS4 being a PC plays right into the hands of PC gaming, Microsoft, and even Apple--I think if they all feel like advanced PC gaming in the home, Sony loses. Microsoft's much more savvy about PC-style gaming comparatively speaking. Also, with stuff like the Steambox and Razer Edge taking PC gaming in console-style directions, it's going to get interesting.

1. I use a horrible office chair, but a fellow editor has a standing desk.
2. I have 20/800 vision and stare a million screens all day. I try to outside and see real things that aren't made of pixels, but end up staring at my iPhone instead.

Well, look an indie games, all the exciting stuff: that's generally on the web, Steam, or on apps in places like iOS/Android. Consoles are slow to push out non-studio games, and that's where some of the best stuff is happening. Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo need to make the floodgates open up without letting in tons of crap. Also, like movie studios, big game franchises repeat themselves for fear of losing money. And my zombie plan is to become a zombie.

I think a PC plus VR is a lot to spend. If you're already a PC gamer, (or need a PC), it might make more sense. Just keep in mind the landscape will change fast. Good news: Vive and Rift will probably end up with a lot of shared games.

For some reason, going to the library always works for me. Or an old bookstore.

I don't know, but I hate it. Not just because of the disc PS3 games, but what about all those downloaded titles? The way Nintendo handled Wii downloads on the Wii U is really annoying, but at least they'll play after a transfer. Sounds like Sony wants it all in the cloud in some sort of digital virtual console. We'll see.

I find that VR can be a huge empathy and emotion-generating experience. It's moved me to tears several times. http://www.cnet.com/news/the-day-virtual-reality-made-me-cry/ It feels weird to be emotional in VR, but that sense of empathy tends to linger for me as a memory more than an experience of "I saw something on a screen." A lot of brands are already exploring how to maximize the idea of engagement via VR, using it as next-level advertising. My worry is that VR is more of an empathy simulator...meaning that empathy can be generated, or even manipulated. There can be many ways this could be misused.

For torture, I'd say I'm most concerned about it as a sensory deprivation-type device (you're wearing a screen over your eyes and headphones). To be subjected to extreme content in VR against one's will sounds terrifying, for a number of reasons. Someone could be more willing to accept an idea presented in VR via a regular screen, too...engagement turned into, maybe, a form of brainwashing.