How much!?: "Looking at the whole thing holistically, another reason there is likely to be significant backlash against charges for FPS [...] is that the whole FPS experience is largely throwaway. You fire up your computer, play Quakeworld, shoot a few bad guys and that's it - theres no persistence to it. This is quite unlike a MMORPG environment where people build up characters over a long period of time. In that respect, there is substantial weight already given to MMORPGs since people believe that they are paying good money to maintain a persistent all-encompassing universe in which their character grows and develops."

Even if you're not into online gaming, don't let the arcane terminology turn you away (MMORPGs are Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, while FPSs are First Person Shooters, and GSP is "Gaming Services Provider" - thanks to our reader Hamish for correcting me,) as this column makes points that remain relevant outside the field it covers.