"Others say the cost isn’t worth it when you can get a discounted game for the same price. Some think the whole idea is contrary to the original idea of making the object unique and your own; instead of creating something to your taste you are buying into a corporate marketing tool and there is no ’social rebellion’ or ‘artistic vision’ kudos for that."

"Yeah, I bought this faceplate to exemplify my uniqueness, just like all the other people that bought the same one"

I'll never put a system wrap or a different faceplate on my 360. They just look tacky to me.

The writer has many faceplates, and has had one specially commissioned to be made for Assassin's Creed in the US I believe. Plus he is a collector of all those things collectable around gaming, as am I. And overall, the faceplates here in Australia, and even in many other countries has not taken off as one expected.

So while he in particular isn't against them as some inferred, or that he shouldn't buy them if he doesn't like the, that's not his point.

His point is, that "in general" the face plates did not take off as expected or to the level MS may have predicted. As they saw it akin to the mobile phone custom cases that sell like hotcakes around the world (Read Dean Takashasi's Unleashing the Xbox360 - 2005 where they discuss the whole idea behind the faceplates).

Gaming isn't like mobile phone, far from it, and it's audience is a fickled lot, so the same principles that would apply to mobile purchasers and users does not apply here.

There is a market for these, but it has definitely hit a downturn, which is what the article is aimed at . .You did notice the big ?? marks in the title . . .

I currently have a Assassin's Creed Madcatz Skin and faceplate on one of my 360's, an dit looks a treat, but you'd be hard pressed to find many others who have gone to the length of applying skins or faceplates, especially here in Oz.