Star Wars Galaxies Console Versions On Hold

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to a Gamespot news story indicating that the console (PS2 and Xbox) versions of Star Wars Galaxies are now on hold. Although they were announced at E3 in 2002, and may appear eventually, a Lucasarts spokesman said of the MMORPG: "We are currently focusing all of our efforts on the successful launch of the PC version of Star Wars Galaxies." Meanwhile, the Star Wars Galaxies official site at its publisher, Sony, has links to some new mini-previews and E3-released gameplay movies from this title, which also has a thorough fanpage at RPGPlanet.

Comments

Good Move

[suineg]

I think this is a very good move considering how many problems the PC version has right now. Then they will have to figure out whether console players will be on the same server etc.

Two obvious concerns

[MMaestro]

First, how are the two going to communicate. I won't go further keeping in mind that keyboards for the consoles aren't out yet and not everyone wants to hear a whiny 9-13 year old kid's voice through their speakers/headphones. Second and more importantly, how is the user interface going to work? History has shown that computer interfaces are usually overly complex for controllers while console interfaces tend to be unappealing and dull to PC users.

Re:Two obvious concerns

[Lazyhound]

I'm not sure about the X-Box, but the PS2 can use any USB keyboard, which also conveniently addresses your second point.

Re:Two obvious concerns

[sn0]

Keyboards for the consoles aren't out? What the hell is this thing thats pluged into my PS2? It has letters and numbers and produces text on the screen. Odd.

What's wrong?

[ArmorFiend]

I feel a sudden disturbance in the force ... As if millions of consumers cried out in longing, and were suddenly silenced.

Gating measure

[Dachannien]

The availability of games only on PC is a gating measure which keeps those of obviously insufficient age (say, single-digits) out of situations for which they are socially and emotionally not ready. Grade-school kids thrive on console games, and the inclusion of them in the wider MMOG community would in many cases create significant customer support problems.

I can only hope that this ends up being permanent, but since there's money to be made, that obviously won't be the case.

Re:They ought to just cancel it all together

[toddhunter]

Every tried to have 3 mates sit around a PC for a bit of multi-player fun? No?, guess not then.

Yes

[Mensa Babe]

Unfortunately, programming console games is a real pain. (I have yet to try writing anything complex, but believe me, even a simple Test Drive 2 clone can be a real pain in the a*s.) Targeting PC's is easier not only because of superior hardware quality and better performance, but also (or maybe should I say, first of all) because of cryptic APIs and subtle differences between platforms, while with PC you have just one target, you only have to master DirectX (which can be hard sometimes, of course, but there's only one standard to learn) and this is why some of the great gems aren't being published for the console market. I really do hope that when console manufacturers start to use Linux as their official operating system, this situation will change, as they will be one standard for console programming (glibc, SDL, OpenGL, OpenAL, etc.). But meanwhile, I guess, I'll just have to play Star Wars Galaxies on my PC... *sigh*

Re:They ought to just cancel it all together

[Dot.Com.CEO]

Hehe, excellent tr^H^H contribution. OK, I'll tell you why consoles still exist:

1. They are cheap. 200$/euros buy you an excellent console. No need to spend any more money, no hidden costs. It all is in the box.

2. They JUST work. No need to install and maintain an OS, not to talk about updating it.

3. A game loads almost instantly.

4. They fit in the living room. Well, kind of, all three of them are UGLY as hell, but better than having a PC there...

5. All the best games are ONLY released on consoles which forces the people who want to play them to buy the respective console :-)

I, myself, think that if you have a reasonably high-end PC, there's not much reason to invest in a console. Sure, you'll never get to play Zelda, or Mario, or Ratchet and Clank, and you'll play Final Fantasy and Vice City years after they come out for the consoles, but there's SO MUCH out there that you won't miss it.

I do agree with you on the online games thing, though. Even though I'm quite happy to play DAOC on my PC, I cannot imagine playing something like that on a console. But that's me... I do guess, however, that Lucasarts agree with me since they seem to be focusing on the PC port first...

Re:They ought to just cancel it all together

[Albert Pussyjuice]

"I do agree with you on the online games thing, though. Even though I'm quite happy to play DAOC on my PC, I cannot imagine playing something like that on a console."

There are many types of games out there. I have Madden 2003 for the PS2, which I play online, and it is quite enjoyable. You agreed with the original post that online gaming for a console should be scrapped. Why? You cite one game. Sports games in particular have always, in my opinion, been better on a console and I don't see why an online component should not be included.

Re:They ought to just cancel it all together

[Dot.Com.CEO]

Sorry, I was talking about mmorpgs specifically. I don't know why, I just cannot imagine myself playing that kind of game in the livingroom. Can't wait for online fighting / racing games to tell you the truth... GT4 online should be excellent...

Re:They ought to just cancel it all together

[Kethinov]

Ever tried to have 3 mates sit around a PC for a bit of multi-player fun? No?, guess not then.

Emulator + gravis gamepads = Yes. I have.

1. They [consoles] are cheap

No argument there, but you get what you pay for seeing as how their usefulness compared to a computer is crap.

2. They JUST work. No need to install and maintain an OS, not to talk about updating it.

Sounds a lot like the first reason I mentioned. People don't know how to use computers.

3. A game loads almost instantly.

That argument is valid if the computer you're using to do games is dated. I've had no problem loading high end games like quake3 just as fast as you can load any playstation game.

I, myself, think that if you have a reasonably high-end PC, there's not much reason to invest in a console.

My point exactly. I play, and enjoy console games quite readily except via ZSNES, ePSXe, Project64 etc emulators. You can do more with an emulator than you can with a console. For example, you're not limited by the tiny space of a playstation memory card. If I want to save my FF7 286 times well hot damn I can do that! And no you don't have to be a super-nerd to use an emulator. Besides, think of how much easier it would be if the "emulator" were infact manufactured by Sony/Nintendo/etc themselves intead of a bunch of college kids. ;)

Point being, computers are, and always will be superior to consoles. And no amount of -1 Troll moderations is gonna change that.

Re:They ought to just cancel it all together

[Anonymous Coward]

Why should I be labled dumb because I simply prefer my PS2 to a PC? A gaming console is exactly that- an inexpensive device to play games. No Windows FU, no spreadsheats, no web browsing, just games. They are cheap enough to 'upgrade' (trade in for a new one) when new boxes come out. The controllers are awesome (nothing can yet hold a candle to the Dual Shock). The games are innovative and more diverse (in my OPINION) than PC titles.

Consoles offer a different experience than PCs. They are perfect for those of us who couldn't give a shit about the newest graphics accelerator or OS. I want to turn on the box and play a game- that's it. If I need to balance my checkbook, browse the web, edit video- I'll turn on my computer.

Online gaming is NOT just for PCs any more than recorded music is JUST for vinyl (remember those black round things?) Technology evolves and splinters many offshoots. It is pretty narrow minded and naive to discount an attempt at innovation just because it doesn't get YOU excited.

And what about those of us who prefer MAC to PC? Are we stupid too? Mac gaming generally underwhelms but they are otherwise a much better computer for what I need. I am not going to blow a couple grand on a tricked out PC just to play games. Give me Vice City on the PS2 and a Mac with Final Cut Pro and I am a happy man...

How would we all win if developers stopped making consoles? Seems it would only result in the lessening of innovation and options for consumers.